how to prevent getting bored?
jammyjam0909
Posts: 2
Hi. I'd like to consider myself a runner of some sort. I sign myself up for half marathons and 10ks to keep myself motivated to consistently stay in shape. The problem I have is, whether I am running on a treadmill or around neighborhoods or through a park, I easily get bored. I need some suggestions of what you all do to keep yourself going.
Here are things I've already tried that aren't working too well:
1) Listen to music. I have to really LOVE the song, and it has to be upbeat to get me motivated to set and keep a good pace. I've tried running while watching shows or movies and it doesn't get me going nearly as much). The problem is, there is only so much music that I really LOVE to last the hour or so that I want to run (and even if I make a couple of 60 minute mixes, it's annoying to listen to them on repeat for weeks and months).
2) Run with a friend. I dislike this option until the actual marathon event. First off, chatting makes me run out of breath more quickly and I wear out faster. Second, when I'm training with someone in better shape than I, I feel crappy and lose motivation and slow down or take more frequent breaks. I do well when I run with someone slower, but other than my mom (who is too busy and tired to work out more than once a week), I don't know ANYONE who runs slower than I do (my husband and all of my friends are all marathon runners and all in better shape than I).
3) Run outside in new settings. This is could work, but I live in a 4 season location, and I can't run outside during the 4-month freezing weather, and I need something to get through those 4 months.
4) Do walk'/jog/run intervals. This proves to be a great workout, and interval training burns more calories, but I want to build up the consistent stamina to run at least a 10k without walking/stopping.
Looking forward to your advice...
Here are things I've already tried that aren't working too well:
1) Listen to music. I have to really LOVE the song, and it has to be upbeat to get me motivated to set and keep a good pace. I've tried running while watching shows or movies and it doesn't get me going nearly as much). The problem is, there is only so much music that I really LOVE to last the hour or so that I want to run (and even if I make a couple of 60 minute mixes, it's annoying to listen to them on repeat for weeks and months).
2) Run with a friend. I dislike this option until the actual marathon event. First off, chatting makes me run out of breath more quickly and I wear out faster. Second, when I'm training with someone in better shape than I, I feel crappy and lose motivation and slow down or take more frequent breaks. I do well when I run with someone slower, but other than my mom (who is too busy and tired to work out more than once a week), I don't know ANYONE who runs slower than I do (my husband and all of my friends are all marathon runners and all in better shape than I).
3) Run outside in new settings. This is could work, but I live in a 4 season location, and I can't run outside during the 4-month freezing weather, and I need something to get through those 4 months.
4) Do walk'/jog/run intervals. This proves to be a great workout, and interval training burns more calories, but I want to build up the consistent stamina to run at least a 10k without walking/stopping.
Looking forward to your advice...
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Replies
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1) When running alone: Podcasts!
2) When running with someone: Slow down! You are running too fast if you can't talk and run at the same time. (Yes, there are reasons to run faster but let's ignore that for now.) Join a local running club and you'll find people at all paces including yours no matter how slow.0 -
1. Join a running club
2. listen to audio books (instead of podcasts or music).0 -
Audio books for me. And I still run outside all winter, ice and snow and cold and all (-6F this morning).0
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Thanks everyone! Audio books sound like a great idea! I haven't tried that yet, so I'll get on that. I'll also have to look into a running club near me. Does anyone know any good sites for that? I've never done that before.0
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I love listening to audiobooks as well
Contact a local running store, they have information on running groups and sometimes have runs themselves.
I also run in the semi-cold (I'm not as hard core as I turn to the treadmill when there's ice or it's below 0) and outside in the winter is freaking awesome 0 -
I have never considered a local running group. This post has ended up being great advice for me as well. Thanks!0
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I just finished a half marathon on Sunday with my "normal" time of 2:55. Seems I'm always under 3 hours but never making my 2:45 goal. Except that my moving time according to my Garmin was 2:49... that port-a-potty break and blister repair robbed me of 6 minutes. lol
Anyway.... keeping boredom at bay. I also listen to audio books. And I count cars. And I count cats I see, and I imagine what everyone is fixing for breakfast as I pass by..... But mostly the audio books. lol Except during a race. I find that I don't handle weaving through a crowd well listening to books as I tend to zone out a bit with the story. Oddly enough people don't like it when you run up on their heels. I do listen to music that I've grouped according to beats per minute to keep my pace going if I listen to anything during a race. Nothing worse than having a slow song pop up right when you need a burst of energy. Or maybe I'm the only person that has that issue....
Check out usafit.com They have lists of running clubs all around the country and are a great group to train with. I didn't train with them but my son did for his first marathon. They do a great job putting you in pace groups and setting schedules for you to run then you have a group run usually early Sat. mornings. Their belief is anyone can run a marathon. I stuck with the half marathon but I saw many people complete a marathon this past Sunday that would have never thought it possible a year before.
I usually do just one half marathon a year. Yes, real motivated aren't I.... but I'm thinking that maybe I'll get another one in and try for that magical 2:45 before the summer hot hits. After April it is just WAY too hot to run a race down here in my opinion. Most of our marathons and half marathons are from October to April.0
