How to Add Fun into Your Running – Ways to Make Running Fun

Table of Contents:

• Variety is Key
• Mix It Up
• Mental Tricks
• Track and Celebrate Progress
• FAQs in Relation to How to Add Fun Into Your Running
  • How can I make my run more fun?
  • How do I make running not boring?
  • How do I start running for fun?
• Add Fun to Your Running to Motivate and Improve Your Performance

Variety is Key

Variety is key to keeping your running enjoyable and exciting; this variety comes in many flavors. It can include different types of training, runs, routes, and surfaces to keep the interest level high. If possible, vary the time of day you do your running session a few times a week/month, take rest days, and do plenty of easy runs – 80% of your running should be at an easy-effort pace. I label all these strategies ‘mixing it up.’

Don’t always run solo. Join a running club and attend their events to meet other runners of your abilities to find new routes and running partners – my best source of knowledge and enjoyment has been tapping into the running community in my area. A club is also a great source of information on local races and volunteering opportunities. Fees to join most clubs are nominal compared to the advantages and payback.

I have tips and tricks when on a training session which I call ‘mental games,’ which spice up my sessions while enjoying my surroundings. These ‘games’ are simple and varied and soon become second nature. I also capture each session’s details to see progress and celebrate successes, however small.

Variety is the key to staying motivated and excited about running. In the following sections, I will dive into specific examples of mixing it up, mental games, and tracking your progress.

Mix It Up

When starting as a runner, we tend to stay on the same route, and this makes sense to get comfortable with the whole process, but after a few months, it can feel restrictive and dull, so you should start to change things up a bit. Research new routes; I prefer out-and-back routes or laps, so you’re never a few miles away from home.

Mixing up surfaces is another way to add variety and challenge yourself as a runner. Running on grass or trails will provide more cushion for your feet and lower the risk of injury compared with running on hard pavement all the time. You may even find that certain terrains are easier or harder depending on what type of surface you’re used to running on regularly. This is especially true when running uphill – some people might find it easier (or less painful) to go uphill over grass rather than concrete. Hill speedwork is a session I regularly add to my training.

My final terrain recommendation is a track. Most high schools have one and are open to the public outside in-session hours. Additionally, you can have fun with a track session, which I’ll cover later.

Avoid running the same distance and speed each session. Staying at the same slow running pace each session is a fast track to boredom and keeping you at the same fitness level. I like to plan variety into my next week’s workouts, including rest days, on a Sunday.

I try to vary each session between long, slow, speed workouts or shorter, faster runs. I don’t recommend beginners introduce more than two-speed workouts per week and not back-to-back sessions. Speed workouts can include interval and/or Fartlek training. As you progress, schedule one long run per week – I do mine on a Sunday and plan a rest day on Monday.

Interval workouts effectively increase aerobic capacity and strengthen leg muscles while providing variety from longer endurance runs. Interval workouts include alternating high-intensity exercise (sprints) and lower-intensity recovery periods (jogging). This type of workout helps keep runners motivated by breaking up their routine into shorter chunks, so they don’t get bored quickly – plus, it provides results faster than all the same pace distance sessions.

I haven’t mentioned any specific distances as this depends greatly on what you feel capable of running. You should not feel tired before starting another session. Adequate rest recovery is as important as training.

Popular with many runners is cross-training. I take two rest days per week, but nothing stops you from using your rest days for cross-training. Cross-training is popular for those who feel strength training will add to their progress and overall physical fitness. These activities can range from walking to cycling, swimming, or a myriad of gym activities.

Cross-training with biking is an excellent way to get variety and keep your body guessing. Biking has a low impact on joints while providing an effective cardiovascular workout. It also works different muscle groups than running, so you’ll see more significant gains in overall fitness levels by adding this activity into your routine.

Finally, don’t forget about the socialization benefits of group running; having someone there with similar goals makes completing those long miles much easier, and having someone around for moral support when needed most is always nice. Not only do they provide companionship and camaraderie, but they also serve as motivation for many runners who may otherwise struggle with staying consistent in their training routines. Try looking online for local running clubs or groups near you to get others interested in jogging with you.

Mental Tricks and Play

Although running can be a great form of exercise and fun, it may become tedious over time. That’s why mixing up your routine with mental tricks – also known as play – and an element of creativity is essential. Together these will make your running more enjoyable.

Mental games are an excellent way to break boredom in the longer run. Attempt to concentrate on the task while making running more enjoyable by using play. Pay attention to your breathing and do it properly – breathe in through the nose and out from the mouth. To do this correctly, you’ll need to focus and concentrate on your breathing, stopping your mind from wandering to the day’s problems. If outdoors on country roads near woods or parks, see how many varieties of fauna you can spot or notice the different scents of your surroundings.

If you have the necessary technology, whether watch or phone-based, many runners increase their fun by listening to music during their workout sessions. Creating personalized playlists tailored to individual preferences makes each run feel unique and enjoyable. Music can be organized by beats per minute (BPM), which helps runners adjust their pace accordingly without constantly checking their watch or phone for the elapsed time during runs. Additionally, listening to music while running can help remove any boredom associated with long endurance runs, making them much more bearable mentally and physically. It also fits in with the creativity and the play element discussed earlier.

If you have a watch with a pace monitor, you can set it for whatever pace you want to keep and then follow your run to stay on target, as it will beep if you exceed or fall below the target pace. This feature not only keeps your focus but also teaches you about pacing, and as your gain experience, you’ll find you can quickly gauge your running pace without constantly monitoring your watch.

My favorite play is picking a spot 100 meters down the road and accelerating to it, then easing off and picking another point ½ mile or a mile down the road. This can add a spontaneous element to your workout, particularly if the training is going well and you want to inject an extra burst of energy. While I wouldn’t recommend you ‘surprise’ your body by randomly bursting into an unprepared sprint and adding the risk of injury, once you’ve warmed up for a mile, you’ll not likely cause harm with an acceleration rather than a flat-out sprint.

Just for fun, run your routes in reverse. Don’t get stuck into always running the same route in one direction. It may seem strange initially, and your pace may seem slower, but it offers a different perspective and feels like a new route. When at the track, I often run it in reverse – yep, you’ll get some strange looks –make sure you’re taking up the outside track and not interfering with other runners on the inside track doing fast workouts.

It’s important to realize that your body is not a machine. While you may have carefully planned your schedule out for the week, when the day arrives to do an interval speed workout or a long slow run, if your warm-up mile feels forced and tired, your body is telling you something you should listen to. Consider cutting your session short, heading home, and taking an unscheduled rest day or cross-train.

Mental tricks are a great way to make running more enjoyable and help keep you motivated. Monitoring advancement is a valuable aid for runners, as it can give a beneficial understanding of how one’s preparation is developing. By introducing mental tricks into your run, you will be able to reap the rewards of a fun and rewarding experience.

Track and Celebrate Progress

Depending on what generation class you fall into – I’ll raise my hand as a baby boomer – then your ‘technology‘ for tracking your workouts and progress could range from a manual journal to an Excel spreadsheet to a fitness tracker with an online service. You use what works for you, but there is no argument that tracking helps keep your motivation. Additionally, you should celebrate your progress; and you need to track it to know when to celebrate.

For several years, I have kept a weekly notebook journal capturing miles and pace, weight, weather conditions, and my best times for race distances. I started this latest journal in 2018. My Garmin watch captures many stats and is also linked to Strava so that I can keep tabs online. Recently, I have moved to an Excel spreadsheet which allows me to capture more information and does a lot of totaling and calculations automatically. I’m not fixated on my day-to-day stats, and at my age, ‘progress‘ is being able to match this year to what I did last year.

Many reading this seek ways to improve and understand what has helped them. I view my Garmin watch and the app it connects to on my phone as my fitness tracker. Fitness trackers have become an invaluable tool for recreational runners looking to monitor their progress. Fitness trackers offer pace, distance, heart rate, and more metrics and provide a platform to set achievable goals. Here’s how to use your fitness tracker data to reach your running goals.

By measuring metrics such as daily steps taken and running speed over time, you can gain insight into the intensity of your workouts and make adjustments to prevent exhaustion or stagnation. This allows you to adjust training intensity as needed so you don’t burn out or plateau too soon. Additionally, tracking progress gives tangible proof of accomplishments which helps keep motivation high when times get tough.

If you have a fitness tracker spend time reviewing all its bells and whistles – read the manual. If you’re in the market for one, check a comparison article to shortlist a few that will capture the stats you want to monitor your progress.

Once you understand the worth of monitoring data with a fitness tracker, it’s critical to comprehend how best to capitalize on this information to achieve your running aspirations. Start by establishing attainable goals based on past performance or anticipated progress, such as upping mileage by 10% per week or reducing overall race time by 30 seconds per mile within two months.

Subsequently, use the feedback from your device, like calories burned and duration spent in different heart rate zones as well as any external elements (weather conditions) that could influence results. Scrutinize post-run stats to discern if these objectives are being accomplished regularly over time – if not, then consider making modifications accordingly.

Running can be a great way to stay in shape, have fun, and improve overall health. By taking the time to celebrate your successes, you’ll stay motivated and encouraged on your running journey. Acknowledging achievements can be a great motivation and inspiration for continuing your running journey.

Celebrate your small successes as well as major ones. For example, after completing a ½ marathon race, or a Personal Best time over 5K or 10K, I may treat myself and my family to a restaurant meal. Identify milestones, and when you reach them, celebrate. After finishing an ultra-long training run or achieving a demanding workout schedule or a week of them, I may treat myself to some running apparel. None of this must be expensive – dinner can be pizza, and apparel could be some racing socks. The whole point is reward and recognition rather than the costs.

FAQs in Relation to How to Add Fun Into Your Running

How can I make my run more fun?

To make your run more enjoyable, focus on setting achievable goals and tracking your progress. Incorporate variety into your routine by running different routes or trying out new trails. Listen to music that motivates you or find a running buddy for some friendly competition. Take time before and after each run to stretch, hydrate, and refuel with nutritious snacks. Finally, reward yourself for reaching milestones so you feel accomplished. With these tips, you can make running a fun and rewarding experience.

How do I make running not boring?

Running can become boring if you don’t vary your routine. Incorporate different routes, terrain, and speeds into your runs to keep things interesting. Try running with a group or joining a running club for social support and motivation. Listen to music while you run, set goals such as increasing distance or speed each week, and reward yourself when those goals are achieved. Finally, mix up the scenery by exploring new parks or trails in your area – it will make every run feel like an adventure.

How do I start running for fun?

Start off with a warm-up like jogging or walking in place for five minutes to get ready. Then stretch your muscles to prevent injury. Choose a route that suits your fitness level, then set off at an easy pace and gradually increase it over time. Remember to cool down after each run by stretching again and slowly decreasing the intensity of the activity until you are no longer sweating or breathing heavily. Finally, stay motivated by setting goals and tracking progress using running apps or other tools available online.

Add Fun to Your Running to Motivate and Improve Your Performance

By incorporating just a few of these techniques, you can add fun into your running and make it an enjoyable experience. Variety is vital to keeping things exciting and challenging; celebrate progress by rewarding yourself for reaching milestones; mix up the routine with different terrain or routes; use mental tricks such as short fast bursts between blocks of trees, or run your route in reverse; track progress through data tracking devices like watches or apps. These are just some ways to help turn running from becoming dull into something that brings joy in life.

Take the time to add fun to your running routine and enjoy life with each step! Ensure you have all the resources needed for a successful, enjoyable experience.

Additional Resources Related to Adding Fun to Your Running

[1] How To Make Running Fun – The 30 Tricks >>>

[2] Having Fun on the Run: 10 Tips to Take the Stress Out of Running >>>

[3] One Happiness Expert’s 5 Tricks To Make Running Fun >>>

[4] 5 Steps for Learning to Love Running >>>

Cliff Calderwood has been running competitively for five decades and enjoys his running today as he did when he first began as a young teenager in high school in England. His book Run For Joy is available on Amazon and in places where paperbacks are sold online.

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Cliff Calderwood
Run To Enjoy Life