![\"25](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/10053335\/25-Ways-to-Learn-to-Love-Running.jpg\")
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Running is boring. It\u2019s hard. It hurts. It\u2019s lonely. And it doesn\u2019t give you immediate results. Right?<\/p>\n
While we don\u2019t think any of these are necessarily good excuses (or altogether true!), we do understand it\u2019s not always love at first run for anyone who ever decides to lace up and hit the pavement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first time I tried going for a run, after spending my whole life as a dancer and avoiding the mile in gym class, I had fun \u2014 for the first four steps,\u201d says blogger Alison Feller of Ali on the Run<\/a>. \u201cBut you know what is<\/i> fun? The second run, the third run, the fourth run, the fifth run\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re a total beginner intimidated to take those first steps or you\u2019ve recently taken a wrong turn straight into a running rut<\/a>, we\u2019re here to help you get moving in the right direction. That\u2019s why we asked Feller and some of our other favorite running bloggers<\/a> and coaches, to share their best tips for finding fun on the run.<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> The 30 Best Marathons in the Entire World<\/a><\/p>\n 1.<\/b> Forget the past.<\/b><\/p>\n Whatever feelings or fears you associate with running \u2014 leave them in your dust! \u201cForget about the coach who made you run as a punishment,\u201d says Sara Johnson, a coach at Reality Running<\/a>. \u201cForget about those childhood memories of not being \u2018the athlete.\u2019 Just because running wasn’t fun for you in the past doesn’t mean it can’t be now.\u201d Matt Orlando of The Runner Dad<\/a> says most initial stumbles are mental. \u201cBeing a runner isn\u2019t about speed<\/a> or skill; it is a mindset,\u201d he says. \u201cWhether you run a 4-minute mile or a 15-minute mile, all it takes is a pair of shoes and the desire to get out the door.\u201d<\/p>\n 2.<\/b> Set a goal.<\/b><\/p>\n Establishing a goal for each run (even if it\u2019s just to not walk!) creates benchmarks of your progress and a sense of accomplishment. \u201cI used telephone poles when I was getting started,\u201d says Feller. \u201cEach time I ran, I told myself to make it to \u2018one more pole.\u2019\u201d Eventually, you might find yourself setting even crazier goals, says Elizabeth Maiuolo of Running and the City<\/a>, \u201clike running over all of the NYC bridges or covering three different parks in one run.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>The 20 Most Inspiring Runners in the U.S.<\/a><\/p>\n 3.<\/b> Slow down.<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cDon’t even think about pace at the beginning,\u201d says Amanda Loudin, the voice behind Miss Zippy. \u201cMany people get discouraged at first because they want to run \u2018fast.\u2019 So they go out and kill themselves, then feel dejected and discouraged.\u201d Coach Ryan Knapp of Out and Back<\/a> emphasizes running at a conversational pace, meaning you should be able to talk on-the-go. While it may go against the \u201cNo pain. No gain.\u201d mentality, it \u201censures you are building your aerobic endurance and teaching your body to become more efficient, which is the key to running,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n 4.<\/b> Buddy up.<\/b><\/p>\n Yes, it can be isolating to run alone, but we say there\u2019s plenty of road to share. \u201cAsk a friend you haven’t seen in a while to run with you,\u201d says Jocelyn Bonneau<\/a>, better known as Enthusiastic Runner. \u201cCatch up while running and the miles will fly by as you chat!\u201d Julie Curtis of ROJ Running adds that your date could also be a romantic one. \u201cStudies have shown couples who run together, stay together<\/a>,\u201d she says. \u201cTake your crush out for a little jog or reignite passion in your long term relationship. That post-workout glow could lead to a few more<\/i> calories burned \u2014 if you know what I’m saying.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> 12 Secrets from the Pros to Achieve a Personal Best<\/a><\/p>\n 5.<\/b> Play a game.<\/b><\/p>\n Remember all those silly road trip games<\/a> your parents would use to entertain and distract you on long car rides? Even on your feet, you can still take them on the road! Play \u201c20 Questions\u201d with a friend or try to find all of the letters of the alphabet on the street signs you pass if you\u2019re running solo.<\/p>\n 6.<\/b> Discover the road not taken.<\/b><\/p>\n If you ate the same food for lunch every day, you\u2019d inevitably get bored, and it\u2019s the same with running! \u201cSlogging along the same path every day can get old really fast,\u201d says Feller. Blogger Gabrielle Kotkov of Marathons and Macarons suggests picking a place that feels special. \u201cIt could be as simple as the foliage in the park, or the sunset along the river,\u201d she says. \u201cI first fell in love with running in the park in autumn.\u201d Theodora Blanchfield, coach and creator of Preppy Runner<\/a>\u00a0agrees, adding that even if you have to travel to your new route first, \u201crunning is the best way to see new spots and explore somewhere new on foot!\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> 14 Trail Running Adventures to Try Before You Die<\/a><\/p>\n 7.<\/b> Treat yo\u2019 self.<\/b><\/p>\n We hate to sound shallow, but sometimes there\u2019s nothing like some new gear to get us going. \u201cA flashy training outfit will make me want to run faster and longer,\u201d admits Maiuolo. Michelle Roos of Pawsitively Delightful also abides by this approach. \u201cIf I have time (and money), I will buy either a new pair of shorts or a tank that will act as a reward for all of the hard work that I’ve done up until then,\u201d she says. \u201cIf it\u2019s something I know I’ll want to race in later, I can test it out!\u201d<\/p>\n 8.<\/b> Find a happy ending.<\/b><\/p>\n If you could have anything waiting for you at the end of a hard run, what would it be? For Emily Halnon of Sweat Once a Day, it\u2019s simple. \u201cBeer,\u201d she says. \u201cI recommend ending most runs with a pint of the good stuff.\u201d Abby Land, who writes Back at Square Zero, believes in the power of runch<\/i>. \u201cYou meet a buddy and run\/walk to your favorite brunch place,\u201d she says. \u201cWoo hoo for runch!\u201d And with all the calories you burn running, who could blame Kotkov, who says she\u2019s run straight to an ice cream shop before? As for Feller, her ultimate destination reward is \u201ca dog park, filled with precious puppies.\u201d It\u2019s all about what puts a smile on your<\/i> face.<\/p>\n 9.<\/b> Rise with the sun.<\/b><\/p>\n Switching up the time of day you run can have a huge impact on your performance and overall mood. While it\u2019s tough to roll straight out of bed and into running threads, studies show the early bird gets more than just the worm (and spectacular sunrises). According to research, those who work out in the morning have more energy, a curbed appetite<\/a> and better sleep (not to mention fewer happy hour cancellations) than those who wait until the evening.<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> 19 Ways to Trick Yourself Into Becoming a Morning Person<\/a><\/p>\n 10.<\/b> Meet your neighbors.<\/b><\/p>\n Get to know your local running store and area running clubs to find group runs and potential training partners. \u201cThere’s group accountability and pressure to keep going, even when you’re tired or the weather’s not very good,\u201d says Sara Larsen of Sara Runs<\/a>. Orlando adds connections to your community are a great way to meet people with similar passion and goals, who are also \u201cawesome, fun, healthy and typically enjoy helping others.\u201d<\/p>\n 11.<\/b> Pump up the jam.<\/b><\/p>\n To beat the running blues, many runners turn to tunes. As his blog\u2019s name suggests, Gerard Pescatore of The Music of Running<\/a> says rocking out on the run can be an amazing combination<\/a>. \u201cYou get to star in your own music video while running!\u201d he says. \u201cIt also helps pass the time. If I know a song is 7+ minutes long, I figure I can run a mile during it.\u201d Jessica Hofheimer, creator of Pace of Me<\/a>, says she saves music \u201cfor those runs when I’m really not \u2018feeling it\u2019 because it always peps me up!\u201d Maiuolo suggests playlists organized by BPM<\/a> (beats per minute), but don\u2019t forget podcasts or stand-up comedy, too.<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/b> Should You Press Pause on Your Running Music?<\/a><\/p>\n 12.<\/b> Hit the trails.<\/b><\/p>\n Halnon says trail running<\/a> is anything but boring, and we couldn\u2019t agree more. \u201cI thought it would be impossible for me to fall any harder in love with running, and then I discovered trails,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd since that first step onto some gnarly singletrack, I’ve learned that running on dirt can make this sport exciting and awesome for just about anyone. Like to look at pretty stuff, too? Go run a trail!\u201d<\/p>\n 13.<\/b> Pick up a good read.<\/b><\/p>\n Look for sources that will motivate you to learn more and <\/i>put it into practice. Loudin suggests reading up. \u201cBuy a running magazine or check out a few running blogs for pointers and inspiration,\u201d she says. (Hint: All of the bloggers featured here are a great start to your required reading list.)<\/p>\n 14.<\/b> Go naked<\/i>.<\/b><\/p>\n When runners talk about going \u201cnaked,\u201d they ditch their gear. If you\u2019re a gadgets-and-gizmos-a-plenty kind of runner, try leaving them behind on your next outing. With no watch to track your every pace<\/a> per mile and calorie burned, you\u2019re more likely to discover the simple joys of a run. \u201cRunning allows you to escape your stress, escape your worries, escape the world,\u201d says Orlando. \u201cIt can be just you and the road.\u201d<\/p>\n 15. Give back.<\/b><\/p>\n We\u2019re not sure there\u2019s another sport out there that\u2019s as charitable as running<\/a>. If you can\u2019t find the personal motivation to keep putting one foot in front of the other, do it for a cause. It\u2019s easy to find racing events that raise funds for the nonprofit organization of your choice, or you can download an app like Charity Miles<\/a> to make sure each step gives a little something back.<\/p>\n 16.<\/b> Make it an appointment.<\/b><\/p>\n It may not sound exciting, but making running part of your schedule will give it a greater purpose. \u201cI always remind myself that it’s only 30 or 60 minutes of my day,\u201d says Danica Newon of Chic Runner. \u201cEven if I go slow, it’s better than doing nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n 17.<\/b> Channel your inner cheerleader.<\/b><\/p>\n Experiencing the sport from the sidelines, with a cowbell in hand, is one of the best ways to ignite a passion for running. \u201cGo to a local race and cheer at the finish line!\u201d says Johnson. \u201cThe excitement and joy of the finishers will be contagious.\u201d Pescatore encourages other runners as a spectator to help him remember why he loves running. \u201cIt gets me fired up,\u201d he says. \u201cThe running community is amazing and has pulled me out of my (very introverted) shell.\u201d<\/p>\n 18.<\/b> Race. Race. Race.<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cPick out an upcoming race and actually pay<\/i> the registration fee,\u201d says Johnson. \u201cPaying cold hard cash for something makes it harder to slack off on your training.\u201d With so many events to choose \u2014 from colorful fun runs<\/a> to muddy races<\/a> to marathons<\/a> \u2014 most runners, including Loudin, agree \u201cgetting into the race environment can be incredibly motivating and inspiring. Find a local 5K as your starting point,\u201d she suggests.<\/p>\n RELATED:<\/strong> The 30 Best Marathons in the Entire World<\/a><\/p>\n 19.<\/b> Speed up.<\/b><\/p>\n Speed workouts may hurt (OK, they hurt a lot), but we promise you certainly won\u2019t be bored! \u201cRunning is simple,\u201d says David Hylton, co-founder of #RunChat and blogger at Running\u2026 Because I Can<\/a>. \u201cPreventing it from getting boring is simpler.\u201d It may sound cruel, but try hill repeats<\/a> for a change of scenery or give intervals a go<\/a> \u2018round the track for a very literal change of pace.<\/p>\n 20.<\/b> Share the journey.<\/b><\/p>\n If these tips from running bloggers are any indication, there\u2019s an even larger running community out there that wants you to succeed \u2014 so talk about it, tweet about it and blog about it with them! \u201cSometimes I would \u2018hate\u2019 running and I felt so shunned by my friends,\u201d says Curtis. \u201cBut once I shared my thoughts and fears, I found out lots of people experience the same things and it helped me to feel more connected.\u201d And don\u2019t forget to (over)share photographic proof of your workouts! \u201cBring your camera to make the run more like a cinematic adventure,\u201d says Maiuolo.<\/p>\n 21.<\/b> Measure your success.<\/b><\/p>\n Keep a written log of your life as a runner. If you\u2019re an analytical person, says Orlando, \u201ctrack your progress through spreadsheets or sites like MapMyRun<\/a> or RunKeeper<\/a>.\u201d As you continue to improve and feel more comfortable on your feet, you\u2019ll be able to look back and have tangible notes of your training progress. Impressed by your success? Sounds like it\u2019s time for more treats!<\/p>\n 22.<\/b> Challenge yourself.<\/b><\/p>\n Maybe you\u2019ve done a few local 5Ks and want to take running to the next level. Sign up for a race a few months away that seems a bit out of your league and then chase it down. \u201cFind races that you know you won’t PR in so you can approach it differently,\u201d says Hylton. \u201cWhether it has crazy hills or is on a trail or a new distance, you’ll avoid falling into a trap of same-old, same-old.\u201d<\/p>\n 23.<\/b> Start streaking.<\/b><\/p>\n No, we\u2019re still not talking about taking clothes off. An official \u201crunning streak\u201d means you vow to run at least one mile every day for an entire calendar year<\/a>. We don\u2019t think you have to be that<\/i> extreme to get the idea. Try a shorter streak, like Thanksgiving to New Year\u2019s Day<\/a> in the winter or Memorial Day to Labor Day<\/a> in the summer. It\u2019s still harder than it sounds, but it a great tool to keep you motivated and accountable.<\/p>\n 24.<\/b> Take a break.<\/b><\/p>\n On the flip side, many runners say they start to learn their real relationship with running when they step away from it. Is it true love or are you mortal enemies? \u201cIf you really hate running and you’ve tried all the \u2018tricks,\u2019 maybe running isn’t for you or it isn’t the time for you to be doing it,\u201d says Curtis. Hylton agrees, saying a love for running doesn\u2019t just happen overnight. \u201cIt’s like being in a relationship,\u201d he says. \u201cFirst you like it; then you like it a lot; then something happens and you need a break. Then you come back to it and rediscover what you almost missed. Then you fall in love.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Running](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/10053334\/Running-Man-Arches_2.jpg\")
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