When you have fun in your run, it feels like you can keep going for miles. Nothing can derail a run like boredom and lack of motivation, especially as the heat of the summer. So let’s talk about ways to keep the running magic alive, especially as we limp towards fall.
Make It A Scavenger Hunt
When your mind is otherwise occupied, it can make the miles fly by just a little faster. Create your own scavenger hunt or find one on Pinterest or Instagram, to give you a bit of a distraction. If you have a group of running friends, you can even make it a competition: first to find all the items on the list wins! Who doesn’t love a little game?
Create Your Own Running Tour
To put the fun in your run, you have to do fun things! Consider creating your own kind of running tour, where you venture out to run to different coffee shops or donut stops, or even create a route that encompasses public art or historic landmarks. I am so much more motivated when I know I’ve got a great iced coffee and mural for selfies waiting for me!
Theme It Up!
Themes are great and running in theme can be pretty fantastic. Whether at a race or just out in your neighborhood, get yourself matching shirts or put together a fit that represents the day or your mood. It’s a small things that can go a very long way.
Run With Friends
Running with friends is one of the best ways to put fun in your run. Friends give you someone to talk with while logging miles, and someone to support and cheer you on. It’s always wonderful to have someone in your corner.
Plan A Racecation
When all else fails, travel is my answer. Find a race around which you can build a weekend and a goal. It doesn’t have to be far and it doesn’t have to be huge, but it should be exciting and motivating to you. Involve your partner; involve your friends. Get caught up in the excitement and have the best time!
How do you put the fun in your run when things are hard?
Join A Running Group
If you have lack of motivation and access to local running groups, this might be a great solution. Running groups offer accountability, socialization, and support, which might be just the way to inject fun in your run. Even if it’s just once a week, with race meetups, it’s a great option and can help chase away the running blues.
Join the Runner’s Roundup!
Link up each week to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas. Join your hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs, each week for the Runners’ Roundup linkup! Your link must be running related. Unrelated links will be removed. You must link back to your hosts — it’s common courtesy and a lot more fun! Spread the link-up love by visiting at least two other #running bloggers! Leave a comment and find new blogs to read! Use hashtags #running and #RunnersRoundup to stay in touch and promote your content!
These are fun ideas! I haven’t done a racecation in so long. Its definitely a fun way to see a new place.
All fun ideas and I did most of them last weekend! The runs were definitely more fun. And isn’t that the goal?
You know I love a good run with my group! We have also had lots of fun with run tours formal and informal
Great tips. I think I embrace them all..
Running alone is no fun…
All great ideas! My running friend and I were doing art tours on our run (and stopping for selfies along the way). We’re also planning a Dodgers/Giants theme day. She’s the Dodger, I’m the Giant. 🙂
Ugh, I really need this post! My summer runs have just been a slogfest. I need something to pep it up. I’m thinking that creating my own running tour might be the answer. I’ve seen people doing scavenger hunts and those look fun as well. I have to do SOMETHING. These are all great suggestions.