. . . to make it more fun?
Last week I wrote about running not always being fun (read that post here). Lately running has actually been fairly strong for me, but the bugs! They’re not even biting bugs and they’re still sucking the life out of my runs. Or making me faster because I want to be done, LOL!
What can you do when it’s not fun?
All is not lost on your not-so-fun (let’s face it, miserable) runs. Here are a few tricks you can try to at least make it bearable:
- Distract yourself with nature. Notice the wildlife, the sunshine, the water, the trees, the beautiful sky, the flowers. You probably will see at least one of those things!
- Take more walk breaks. I’m specifically talking about Summer here. Summer can suck the life out of you quickly, and even if it doesn’t, most likely you’ll be running slower. I’ve often (but not always) found that more walk breaks don’t even effect my pace all that much. That’s the whole purpose of intervals, by the way — take the break before you’re tired.
- Run by effort. When it’s hot and humid, running the same pace you normally do can cause you to crash and burn quickly. Forget the pace, and just tune into how you feel. Adjust accordingly. It won’t always be this hot|humid|sunny.
- Listen to music. I don’t personally run with music, but it can definitely be a great distraction. Or a podcast, or an audiobook.
- Shorten your run. Sometimes it’s really the smartest thing you can do. Live to run another day.
- Devote your run to someone in need. This works year-round. Sometimes concentrating on others takes our mind off of ourselves.
- Count your footsteps. Another thing that can be done year-round. Thankfully I haven’t had to do this in a long, long time, but it can work to get you through a run when you really don’t want to.
- Concentrate on your breath. It turns your run into a moving meditation. Is it smooth? Choppy? Shallow? Deep? Where do you feel your breath in your body? Really concentrate on your breath, and it will help to take your mind off of your physical body — and really ground and center you.
The only thing sure about Summer running is that some runs are going to be pretty miserable. You can let yourself wallow in that misery, or you can change your thoughts and try to find the joy in every run. — Chocolaterunsjudy
What do you do when your run is not fun?
Do you stick to your plan or adjust as necessary?
What is getting your through your summer?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I haven’t really changed anything. I do most of those things all year.
I have visited more trails. They are shady and I get more miles in by walking. So I don’t need to run as much.
Most importantly for me is not using a watch. Pace is unknown factor. Makes the run more fun.
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I still have dogs to walk. Have to be very careful about ticks with them, even with tick preventative.
Even with a watch, pace is still often an unknown factor for me during the run. I only know after.
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If you look afterward it can still affect your outlook. Unless it’s a great run. My summer ones most likely are not.
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Actually looking afterward doesn’t effect my outlook. Maybe if I were training for something, but I’m not. It’s just data.
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Taking intentional walk break intervals helps me tremendously especially in the summer time. Having someone to chat with is the best distraction. Photo stops are also good! Have a nice weekend
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Someone to chat with is the best. Unfortunately for me right now I don’t. Unless you count the rabbits. 🙂
Enjoy your weekend, Deborah!
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As you know, I don’t mind the heat of summer, even while running. I don’t LOVE it, but I don’t have too many issues with it LOL I have done the “counting your steps” maneuver…many times when I’m working on a hill, I’ll try to estimate how many more steps to the top. I’m usually drastically off on the count, but it is a good distraction.
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I’ve never tried to estimate steps to the top of a hill — I think I might be too depressed if I did, LOL!
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All great ideas for increasing the fun quotient on your runs. I would add “Say a mantra”. Mantras have saved many shaky runs for me lately. And walk breaks are a definite YES!
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Mantra is a great one, Laurie! Thanks for adding that. Of course now you need to do a post on the mantras you use. 🙂
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It has been so hot a humid lately. The other day I struggled alot. I even ran without music that day so maybe that had something to do with it. I always feel like my music gives me an extra pep in my step.
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If music works for you, rock on! One of my problems is my phone actually doesn’t keep a good connection with bluetooth headphones unless I’m holding it at chest level — which obviously would be annoying. I don’t like being wired in on the run. It’s ok when I walk, though!
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What do you do when your run is not fun? Meditate helps me.
Do you stick to your plan or adjust as necessary? When it is humid I drop the pace a cog out two.
What is getting your through your summer? Prayer. Especially now.
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Meditation & prayer are both great things. And it’s just smart to drop the pace in the heat.
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