Are you sticking to your running routine but not enjoying yourself as much as you used to? Do you sometimes get bored with your runs? Are you struggling to motivate yourself out the door? Like most runners, your answer is probably yes to some or all of these questions, if not now, then at some point in your running journey. So today I’m discussing seven different approaches that may help to spice up your runs so you feel happier on the road again!
1 – Ditch Your Neighbourhood. Running around your neighbourhood is easy and convenient. I’ve discovered many loops within my neighbourhood and there are many days I like the familiarity of them. But let’s face it – week after week of the same routes can get boring. So my first approach to beating the boredom is simple – run some place different! This is usually possible for me over the weekends when it’s more practical to venture further afield and I love it! Sometimes it involves a long run starting at my house and heading to different parts of Gaborone but other times I drive to another part of town and set off from there. If you’re in Gaborone, these previous posts may offer some fresh ideas – here, here and here!
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, I’d also recommend running in another village or town for that added excitement. Although Gaborone’s air quality is probably better than most cities, by virtue of it being a city, it comes with a lot more car exhaust, road intersections and people. Running outside the city always feels refreshing with lots of different sights and sounds.
2 – Change Up Your Runs. Running the same distance at the same pace will usually become monotonous after a while. So something I’ve learnt from the two coaches I’ve had as well as several blogs I’ve read is the importance of scheduling different runs. These runs can vary in speed, distance and type, for example, a fartlek, interval training, tempo runs and easy runs. A trip to the stadium for some track and stair work combinations can be quite exciting too.
And then there’s hill work – tough on the lungs but often good for the soul and those glutes!
3 – Slap On Some Lipstick. Some people may roll their eyes at this! But let me explain! There are days when running is the last thing I want to do but putting on a bright colour, my favourite tights, and yes, even lipstick, can make a huge difference. I’ve told you this story before, but when I started running, I felt self-conscious running outdoors and found that the more drab my clothes were, the more unworthy I felt. As soon as I started having fun with my wardrobe, I felt I owned the road. It is still one of my secrets for feeling like champion even as I move in slow mo’!
4 – Hunt For Treasure. Some of you may remember an interview I did with my friend Zurika a few months ago – the crazy girl who ran 10km a day for 40 consecutive days to celebrate her 40th Birthday! Well, one of her tricks was to look for art all over town – sometimes she found it in visible places but other times it was hidden in little nooks and crannies around town. I love hunting for art too and on Valentine’s Day I found this little gem I hadn’t spotted before.
I also like looking at different architecture, noticing differences between new and old buildings, exploring areas with monuments and running past different places of worship.
Fellow blogger Judy once had a rainbow challenge where she hunted for various colours and I did something similar for my Spring Challenge. You may be interested in different things but whatever it is, a hunt around town can add a new and fun twist to your run.
5 – Run For A Cause. You often see running events advertised to raise money for charities. But it doesn’t have to be anything formal. I’ll give you an example. The 4th of February is World Cancer Day and this year I didn’t feel like running. But knowing it was a special day gave me the extra push to get out. In orange and blue, I set off and under a cloudy sky and light drizzle, I ran with intention for something – to support the fighters, celebrate the survivors, honour the taken and stand with all the hurt families left behind. There are many special days marked throughout the year and observing them can make your runs more intentional and fulfilling.
6 – Bribe Someone To Join You. You knew I couldn’t leave this one out right? I’ve told you before, I’m a talker on the road so running with someone often distracts me from the act of running as we tick off discussion topics instead of kilometres. With the pandemic, many of us are running solo but my husband has been a life saver on many of my long runs. On days where I really need to dig deep, having him there with his favourite talk of ecological restoration, has helped me finish strong, happy and more informed of environmental affairs! LOL!
7 – What About A Biathlon? Hear me out! Combining running with another activity is a great way to stop the boredom. Many people around Gaborone have started combining running with cycling in the same session, basically a self-made biathlon. Throw in swimming and you have your own triathlon! But it doesn’t even have to be that intense. During the week you could add lifting, boxing, pilates, cycling and yoga, etc. to your routine. For those not into other fitness activities, one thing I’ve done over the last few months is alternate my longs runs between road and trail. Hitting the trails every other week has been an amazing way to zhuzh up my runs! .
As much as running can be fun and enjoyable, it’s also easy to lose your mojo now and again. That’s where changing things up goes a long way in keeping you in the game. So if you’ve been feeling bored lately or you’ve hit a slump, you’re not alone. Try some of these strategies and let me know how it goes. Here is to better, happier and more fulfilling running!
Do you sometimes get bored of your runs? What approaches do you use to spice things up? Did you know “zhuzh” is actually in the dictionary?
I’m joining Kooky Runner and Zenaida on their link up, Tuesday Topics. I’m also joining the Runner’s Roundup with Mile By Mile, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running! Be sure to read their blogs and catch up with other runners from around the world.
The Gaborone Runner 
Great tips, Shathiso! And no, I didn’t know “zhuzh” was in the dictionary!
I love treasure hunts. I’m always looking for something special to photograph when I’m out running. Just the other day I was thinking about Judy’s rainbow challenge and that we should repeat it again this spring. It was such fun!
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Thank you Catrina! I found it when I was figuring out how to spell it! It’s a word I always use when speaking but have never written!!! I searched for “juj” and up it came!! LOL. Treasure hunts are the best and also make you see more on your runs – you become less focused on how hard things feel and more on where the next find is!
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Great tips! I always joke about my wardrobe choices, but wearing fun, cute running clothes makes a huge mental difference. “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have”, right? I wanna be a runner!
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It honestly changes my whole mood and gets me out the door quick! I’m not as good at doing that in real life so that’s something I’ll work on (but working from home in track pants is not helping my case!)
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I didn’t know zhuzh is in the dictionary! And thanks for the mention.
It’s harder in Winter here. The places you can safely run are few & far between — unless you really love running in Yaktrax or something similar. I’ve done it, but I’m not really a fan.
I totally agree that what you were can motivate you — and make sure that you’re seen. too. I get ribbing for some of my more colorful outfits. 🙂 I also love discovering new things — even in places I’ve run in many times!
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I seriously admire all you runners in the northern hemisphere who have to contend with such difficult winter conditions. Our main problem here is heat but that’s easily solved with just getting out earlier. Not my favourite thing, but very minor in the grand scheme of things!
So glad you agree with the clothes part! I’ve had so many people roll their eyes when I mention it but so far my blogging fam gets it!
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Having lived in an almost tropical state, I would rather deal with the cold & snow — but that doesn’t mean I really like that, either! We’re trying to find a state to retire to that’s not too hot & not too cold. Not easy!
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All great ideas. But those masks cover the lipstick.
I love running in new places. Even in the winter. You may have to drive but worth it.
Cool clothes are motivating too.
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Running in new places is one of my favourite things. And I saw on social media you had a fabulous time in Florida!
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I did.
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Yes to everything, especially the hill work and the lipstick 😉 Bright colors for the win, might as well include the lips as well!!
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Yes, why leave out the lips, LOL!
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These are great tips! I definitely need to get out of my neighborhood a bit, it’s so easy for me to run out my front door, but I run the same lakes/loops ALL the time!
You don’t have to give me an excuse to buy more running gear, ha! I swear, it’s the only clothes I’ve bought during the pandemic!
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I can’t get enough of running clothes!! We have a special whatsapp group for close family where we write down what we ‘d like for Christmas and birthdays. I always put down running gear. In the end, my sister, husband and dad told me to remove running clothes as I had “enough”. I was devastated! LOL!
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these are great tips on how to make your runs more interesting! I’m currently in a running rut so I think I’ll try the treasure hut idea 🙂
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Please do Kim and let me know how it goes! It really works for me. The last few months have been quite tough. I’ve stuck to my training plan (mostly) but these strategies have helped me to enjoy the runs a bit more and not just to mark them as done.
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Love these. I actually just got out to a new location on Monday – speedwork makes me want to scream, and I’ve been wanting to run it somewhere new but the weather hasn’t been good for it. Finally, I had a break in the weather and made it to the beach. Made all the difference in the world.
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Yay!!! It’s so funny how a new place can get you excited about a run (and even one you’ve been dreading!) Love that this little trick works for you too!
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These are great ideas! I’ve been getting bored with my runs, because most of them have been on the same roads around my neighborhood or on my treadmill. I need the weather to improve so I can run some different routes!
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I hope the weather changes for you soon! I do appreciate the convenience of neighbourhood runs but nothing quite excites me like running some place new!
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Great tips! I run in my neighborhood because many of my runs are short. For longer runs I’ve gone to the lake to to another neighborhood but still close to home. Now with the snow I’ve been running around the school and, yes, I am getting bored of it. I also enjoyed Judy’s rainbow challenge!
Thank you for linking up with us!
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Yes, for short runs there doesn’t seem much point travelling too far! Deborah has just commented that even running the same route but in another direction can help with the boredom so if you haven’t already tried that you can give it a go! Running by the lake sounds pretty!
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Yep, I’ve done that too which feels like a very different route. I mean it is kind of is anyway.
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Taking my run to a new spot is always great motivation for me! Even running my route in a different direction helps too. Having a buddy along is the best motivation for me. I am a talker! I am all about the lipstick never know when you will have a selfiie moment
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I’m such a talker too so we would have quite a run!! We’d have to make it a long one with lots of selfies along the way!
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I love these ideas and they definitely help to add fun back into running during a strange and difficult year! I would love to make running a special event, like a “biathlon”. It also gives you something to look forward to! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Lauren. The self-made biathlon has become so popular here in recent months and is done with no break in between the run and bike so it makes it that much more exciting. Let me know if you try that out!
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It’s funny how wearing something fun can make a difference- I mean, you can’t see yourself when you run so it would seem pointless- but it can really change your attitude.
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You’re so right, it completely changes your attitude. I actually run taller! 😊
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All great tips! While I’ve never tried wearing lipstick, I’m all about my running outfit – it really does give me a mood boost 🙂
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Amazing how cute outfits give us that extra boost on the road!
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I love me a new running outfit but I rarely wear lipstick even when I’m not running, I do however have multiple lip balms close by at all times.
I’ve never done a treasure hunt but sounds fun.
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A treasure hunt helps to take attention away from the run when you’re really not feeling it! Let me know how it goes if you try it out!
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I will!
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Great ideas! When I get bored I like to try to get on trails rather than roads. It adds a lot of mental variety!
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So true! I’m not much of a trail runner but I’ve loved the variety that trails provide and it helps to break the monotony that can sometimes come with road running.
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