Running is hard— I get it.

I spent years (YEARS!) in a love/hate relationship with running. :)

If you had asked me a few years ago if I identified as a runner, my answer would have been a very sudden laugh and a wholehearted, “Um… no.”

But eventually that all shifted. How did running go from something I used to loathe to something I enjoy and look forward to?

Here are a few simple ways that helped make the process of becoming a runner more enjoyable.

Find your why

Intention is everything. Begin to ask yourself, why do I want to run? Why am I committed to doing this? Sometimes the answers come when you’re a few miles down a beautiful trail; sometimes it’s after you’re home and you’ve stretched and you feel strong and empowered. Whatever your reasons are, trust them. Continue to explore this question— it can shift and change as you evolve in your running practice.

Enjoy the boost to your mood

We all know that there are a lot of physical benefits to running— it’s great for cardiovascular health, vitality of your brain and skin, and muscular endurance. It’s also a mood booster and the runner’s high can be a great motivator.

Recent research suggests that endorphins (a “feel-good” hormone) aren’t the only cause for the runner’s high phenomenon. Endocannabinoids are also thought to contribute to the relaxing state of contentment and joy induced by a good run.

Make a playlist

I love listening to music while I run. Music can energize us, keep us engaged, and boost performance.

A 2015 study found that runners traveled faster with less effort while listening to music. Pretty rad!

I suggest trying a mix of different music depending on the day. Some people like to use beats per minute in a song to help with their pacing. Some enjoy podcasts or audiobooks while running. What inspires you and gets you pumped up? Are you in need of a more relaxing playlist or a more energizing series of songs? The choice is up to you.

Mix up where you run

One of my favorite parts about running is planning new routes. It’s always an adventure exploring a new trail! Variety can help you feel engaged instead of bored with the same routine. While I primarily enjoy running on trails, I think it’s nice to run on sidewalks and roads sometimes to mix it up. If I’m short on time or want a simple run, I will do laps in my neighborhood or at the nearby park.

Signing up for marathons, like the Heber Half Marathon, or signing up for benefit walks or runs can be an excellent way to motivate yourself and add some diversity to your run while helping others.

Run with a friend or join a local running group

Having running buddies can help make the experience enjoyable and also boost your accountability. I’ve found that most runners are very down-to-earth and oftentimes hilarious people and you never know what sort of adventure you’re going to encounter together on a trek. Plus, running with others is a safer way to run.

Give yourself permission to experiment

Not every run has to be perfect. Stay curious. Try different things. If you find something that works well for you, be consistent in doing that.

Trust your body

Plenty of folks will tell you about techniques, strategies, and “rules” for how to run. But the truth is, your body will tell you the most. Take input from others with a grain of salt and always remember to come back to your own inner knowing. Keep in mind, too, oftentimes your body can do more than your brain is telling you. ;)

Stretch, hydrate, and fuel well

Running isn’t nearly as enjoyable if you’re not doing the recovery work or prioritizing your nutrition and hydration before and after your runs. As I’ve run more often and gone farther distances, I’ve learned that plenty of stretching, good sleep, and stellar nutrition and hydration are really important. Running can inspire you to level up your healthy habits across the board— how awesome is that?!

Running is a fantastic way to stay fit and feel amazing in your body, and there are a lot of ways to make it fun. Find what works for you ;)

Featured