Since I was young, I hated running, especially long distance. I could sprint a basketball court, but trying to run two miles straight? Forget about it. Recently, I've started running again. I wouldn't say I love running yet. It's still not my favorite activity, but still something I know I have to do if I want to get in (and then stay in) shape. So, here are some tips for all those out there who know they should run, but don't necessarily enjoy it.
1. Track your run.
If you're on a treadmill, then the treadmill is already calculating for you how many calories and carbs you've burned, your average pace, the distance you've traveled, and time elapsed. However, not everyone tracks their run when going for a jog outside--whether on a track, trail, or road. Track your run! Apps like Nike Running are great. It will let you know how far you've gone and reward you afterward if you break a personal record, like best mile, farthest run, and longest run. Tracking your run is important because, even if you don't enjoy it, you can see the progress you've made, and there's nothing better than watching the miles you've run start to stack up. It gives you a feeling of accomplishment and that extra boost of motivation.
2. Music, music, music!
One of the best ways to stay motivated during a run is to listen to music! You can create a playlist full of songs you know would make you run a little harder and play it while you run. The songs can be anything you want. For example, my running playlist consists mainly of Fallout Boy, Imagine Dragons, and Lorde, with guest appearances from Rachel Platten's Fight Song, Florence + The Machine's Seven Devils, and Taylor Swift's Bad Blood (featuring Kendrick Lamar). Listening to these songs always makes me run a little farther and a little harder (and takes my mind off the ache of my leg muscles).
3. Have a running buddy.
My mom is my running buddy (Hi Mom!). We're both not too crazy about it, but we know it has to get done, so we go together. Although we're both listening to music while we run, we always high-five each other every time we hit a mile mark. When my muscles throb and there's a stitch in my side, and my music fails to motivate me, my mom is always there to pick me up and jog the extra mile with me. In turn, I'm there to motivate her. Having someone to run with makes for nice company, and great motivation for both of you.
4. Switch up your routes.
I used to jog the same two-mile loop three times a week, and after a while it got boring. So, the other day, I went in a direction I had never gone before and jogged beside a dried-up reservoir in the next town over from me. It was beautiful, and running in a new surrounding was a nice and refreshing change. I got to explore a new place while I ran. Even boring, suburban New Jersey, where I live, can have beautiful scenery to look at while you run.
5. Have a goal in mind.
If I go out and start running without anything particular in mind distance-wise, I find myself doing less than I know I am capable of. So, before you start out, set a goal for yourself. One mile, two miles, three miles, whatever it is you feel you can do. Goals don't have to be distance, though. They can be long term or short term, like running three times a week or stacking up twenty miles a month. You can set goals out for a specific run, like setting a new time for a mile or 5k run. Maybe your goal is to tone your legs and get in shape. Keep your goals in mind as you run for motivation.
6. Challenge yourself!
While setting goals is great, don't let them limit you! Always push yourself to do a little more, because you are capable of doing more than you believe! Just when you feel like giving up, when your legs feel like lead and your toes go numb, keep pushing. Go that extra step, run a little harder. It will be worth it; I promise.
