Buzz
Falling into a repetitive routine happens more easily than you’d expect. After just a few runs or walks on the same trail, it becomes an automatic part of your exercise regimen without you even realizing it. Or perhaps you switch locations but stick to the same intense three-mile pace every time. It’s time to break that habit.
Sure, you have your reasons for sticking to this routine, but consider the possibilities. You could opt for a long-distance run or a quick sprint, head out in the morning or evening, tackle hills or stick to flat terrain, and choose between roads or trails. You might maintain a steady rhythm or incorporate speed intervals. Run loops around a short track or go for a lengthy out-and-back route. Listen to energizing tunes, dive into a podcast, or skip the headphones altogether and enjoy the silence.
By sticking to one option, you’re missing out on countless others. There’s no harm in enjoying a brisk three-mile run on a paved park path at 7pm while tuning into Radiolab and pausing at two water fountains. But experimenting with even one change—like slowing your pace—could leave you feeling more accomplished and less apprehensive about your next run.
If you’re still finding it hard to get started, sticking to what’s familiar might help build your confidence. Treat familiarity as a stepping stone, and let it go as soon as it no longer serves you.
Over time, you’ll discover that improving your running performance comes from embracing both fast and slow paces, long and short distances, and alternating between music for distraction and focusing on your surroundings and effort.
This week, challenge yourself to change one thing. Identify a habit you’ve stopped questioning and see what happens when you try something different.
