Buzz
Running brings a multitude of benefits for your heart, mind, calorie burn, muscles, and lungs. Sounds great, right? But, wait—are you telling me running feels dull? No worries, I’ve gathered tips to make running more exciting from Reddit (and added a few of my own). Try these games, strategies, and route improvements, and say goodbye to boring runs.
Mix up your pace
Nothing makes a run worse than when it’s both dull and challenging. There’s definitely a time for this type of run—it’s called a tempo run—but don’t confuse that with your goal for everyday runs.
Later on, I’ll share some fun ideas to make your runs more enjoyable. But before that, it’s important to remember that it’s hard to enjoy anything when you’re gasping for air. Most of your runs should be at an intensity that feels like work, but not agony. For many, this means slowing down your pace or, if that’s not possible, alternating between jogging and brisk walking.
Take a detour through scenic routes
If running on the treadmill or track feels monotonous, it’s time to make it more interesting. Many Reddit users recommended changing up your running route to keep things fresh. For example, Illustrious-Term2909 suggests running to a destination, such as a local ice cream shop or brewery.
Alternatively, consider running without a specific destination. Redditor DietCokeCanz shared that they would set out without a plan: “My city has a car share program, so on long runs, I stopped trying to plan a route that would bring me home. Instead, I ran in any direction I felt like, and when I reached my distance, I would use a car share to get back home.”
Urban runners could aim to run every street in their neighborhood or city. Apps like CityStrides can assist with this goal. I remember one summer, I set a challenge to run every trail in a large local park, finishing with a long run around its entire perimeter.
Trails can offer a unique experience for adventurers. Many runners become so captivated by trail running that they abandon road jogging altogether. Redditor dymogeek shares why it's so appealing: 'Throw pace out the window. Hike the up hills. Bomb the down hills. Breath in nature. Be wild.'
Invite friends to join you for a run
If you can persuade a friend to run with you, it can make your runs more enjoyable. You can chat with them, take turns planning routes, and even engage in friendly competition (if that suits you). Even if your friend can’t run with you every time, you can still stay accountable and aim for your weekly mileage goals together.
Don't have any friends who run? Look for local running clubs organized by stores, gyms, or community groups. Redditor 76ab mentions: 'I don’t know what your area is like, but where I am, there are tons of fun themed running clubs. Some end at breweries, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, etc. These attract casual runners and are perfect for anyone getting back into running.'
Engage in mental tricks while you run
Several redditors confessed to creating games for themselves while running, similar to the road trip bingo games many of us played during childhood car rides. ACornACone shares, 'I’m always counting squirrels, rabbits, or dogs. One time I counted how many times someone either smiled at me or gave me a head nod during my run.'
Our very own Meredith Dietz has tried something like this, playing the semi-popular 'Run Until' game. It’s simple: you 'run until' you spot something that you’ve decided will mark the end of your run. Meredith explains, 'Whenever I feel like quitting, I switch my workout to a “run until” game. For instance, run until you see someone holding an iced coffee.'
Run in the rain
Though I personally dislike running in the rain, many redditors find it liberating. Proper-Scallion-252 expresses, 'I can’t even put into words how much I love running in the rain. It makes me leave my electronics behind, and it feels so refreshing.' That almost makes me want to try it. (Pro tip: Wear a hat or visor to shield your eyes from the rain.)
Establish some training objectives
If traditional fun activities aren't cutting it for you, how about giving “type 2” fun a try? This type of fun happens when an activity doesn't feel enjoyable in the moment, but the payoff at the end makes it worthwhile. Most races and training plans include some form of type 2 fun. For me, this is what drives me—more than mentally challenging myself or finding new routes. My motivation comes from seeing how much I can improve before race day.
Consider setting goals like these:
Register for a race at a distance you've never attempted before (perhaps a 5K or, if you're experienced, a 10K).
Beat your best time in a distance you've previously raced.
Set a goal for the total number of miles you want to run each week or month (for beginners, aiming for a 100-mile month is a solid goal).
Extend the length of your weekend long runs.
Incorporate hill sprints or track intervals into your training, gradually increasing the number of repeats with each workout.
You could also use your running watch to monitor some metrics. Reddit user Giggles924 shares: “It might be a bit controversial, but tracking my runs has been a game-changer for my motivation and enjoyment. It doesn't always feel exciting during the runs, but seeing how much progress I've made over time is incredibly rewarding and motivates me to push harder.”
Tune in to a captivating audiobook or podcast to make your runs more enjoyable.
Having something playing in your headphones can make those miles fly by. As Redditor GilderoyPopDropNLock puts it, “I zone out with my podcast or music, and I’m just cruising for miles and miles.”
If audiobooks are your thing, remember you can borrow them for free from your local library. Consider choosing a book (or podcast) that you only listen to while running. This way, you’ll have two incentives to hit the road—getting your workout in, and the excitement of finding out what happens next in the story or catching the next episode.
Let an app be your guide on how to run.
This isn't just for beginners, like with couch to 5k (though you can totally use it for that, if you'd like). A variety of apps are available to coach you through your run, offering pep talks and cues to keep you motivated. Some runners recommend Nike Run Club’s guided runs, while others are big fans of Zombies, Run!, where “zombies are chasing you” scenarios will have you speeding up to escape them.
Or, maybe just stop worrying about making it fun.
Let's revisit the concept of type 2 fun. Developing a running habit doesn't always have to feel enjoyable in the moment to be something you can look forward to. Reddit user hpierce301 offers this perspective: “If I can run hard, in the cold or rain, someone yelling at me on the phone at work seems trivial. I run to pre-stress my day, so the rest feels easy.”
