{"id":612,"date":"2019-02-03T14:57:27","date_gmt":"2019-02-03T14:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/carolineg1.sg-host.com\/index.php\/2019\/02\/03\/2019-2-3-6-tips-to-keep-running-fun\/"},"modified":"2022-04-29T11:21:18","modified_gmt":"2022-04-29T10:21:18","slug":"6-tips-to-keep-running-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/6-tips-to-keep-running-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"6 tips to keep running fun and fight the boredom"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:149.92679355783%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:149.92679355783%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:149.92679355783%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}<\/style><p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">If you get bored of running easily, it&rsquo;s a sign that you need to engage your mind as well as your body. There are lots of tips to keep running fun and get more creative with your runs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">I&rsquo;ve spoken about motivation a lot on my blog and social media, in particular the tips and techniques that I find useful when trying to stay motivated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">In order to stay motivated, you need to be doing something that you actually enjoy! If you&rsquo;re not having fun, there&rsquo;s no wonder your mind switches off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">I know everyone&rsquo;s idea of &lsquo;fun&rsquo; is slightly different, but hopefully these tips will make your experience of running all the more worthwhile if you&rsquo;re going through a running funk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">There are so many ways to switch up your training routine so you include more &lsquo;fun&rsquo; elements into it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">So if you&rsquo;re used to just doing the same type of run along the same route, now is the time to switch up your routine!<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5186 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1-683x1024.png\" alt=\"tips to keep running fun\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5186 size-large eager-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20683%201024'%3E%3Crect%20width='683'%20height='1024'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"tips to keep running fun\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1-683x1024.png.webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1-683x1024.png.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1-200x300.png.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1-768x1152.png.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-1.png.webp 1000w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<h2>6 tips to keep running fun and fight the boredom<\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Try interval training<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Interval training is what it says on the tin &ndash; running in intervals. It&rsquo;s great to increase your endurance and get the blood pumping around your body, and it challenges you in different ways.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">It&rsquo;s also great if you&rsquo;re not quite ready to run a longer distance and would prefer to break it up a bit. You can either choose to walk or jog lightly in the breaks between the running.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">I like to go at a slightly faster pace during the interval runs, then go back into a light jog on the breaks. I use landmarks like telephone poles and trees as my markers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">If I&rsquo;m out for a longer run, I time my intervals using my sports watch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">So, for example, I run for one minute at a 7 minutes per mile pace (this is my interval run), then followed by a light jog around 9 minutes per mile pace.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Don&rsquo;t underestimate interval running &ndash; after about five sets of these you will really start to feel the burn!<\/p>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/interval-training-benefits-for-runners\/\">Run faster for longer: 6 interval training benefits for runners<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Run with a friend<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Running with friends is the best! I don&rsquo;t know what it is about running, when you get chatting to someone on one of your favourite routes the time just flies by.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">By the end of the run you&rsquo;ve suddenly smashed your target and you&rsquo;ve had a good old chinwag on the way round.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">If you&rsquo;re one of those people who clock watches whilst you&rsquo;re out running, next time try running with a friend &ndash; the time will soon pass and it&rsquo;s surprising how much easier it makes the run.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">The support you get with a friend or a group of friends is invaluable and makes the run so much more fun!<\/p>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/motivation-to-go-running\/\">Motivation to go running: 5 reasons to love running in January<\/a><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5187 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2-683x1024.png\" alt=\"tips to keep running fun\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5187 size-large lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2-683x1024.png.webp\" alt=\"tips to keep running fun\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2-683x1024.png.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2-200x300.png.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2-768x1152.png.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2.png.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-2.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Go run exploring<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Running is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy what this beautiful country of ours has to offer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Instead of sticking to the same route every time you hit the road, why not try a different route to mix things up a bit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">When I go for a long run, I try not mix it up as much as possible. I&rsquo;m one of those people who has to have a bit of variation each time I go out as I like to see new things.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">I like to run along the river into the centre of Cambridge and get some sightseeing whilst I&rsquo;m at it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Even better, if you head out early enough, you get to beat all the crowds that you would normally get in the middle of the day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">If you&rsquo;d prefer to run in a less built up area, you&rsquo;ve got your pick of some lovely routes across the UK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Some of my favourite websites to plan my runs include: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaltrust.org.uk\/walking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The National Trust<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mapmyrun.com\/gb\/eng\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MapMyRun<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/runkeeper.com\/search\/routes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Runkeeper<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/trail-running-tips-for-beginners\/\">12 trail running tips for beginners<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Listen to your favourite audio book or podcast<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">There are so many great audio books and podcasts out there and running is a great opportunity to listen to your favourite ones.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">I don&rsquo;t have time to listen to audio books and podcasts in between work, getting home from work, making dinner and all the other things that life throws at me, so I just hit play on my run and off I go!<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Some of my favourite podcasts include: Emma Gannon&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.emmagannon.co.uk\/category\/podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ctrl Alt Delete<\/a> and Fearne Cotton&rsquo;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.officialfearnecotton.com\/news\/2018\/2\/26\/happy-place-podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Happy Place<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/funny-and-motivational-running-quotes\/\">21 funny and motivational running quotes to inspire you<\/a><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5188 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3-683x1024.png\" alt=\"tips to keep running fun\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5188 size-large lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3-683x1024.png.webp\" alt=\"tips to keep running fun\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3-683x1024.png.webp 683w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3-200x300.png.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3-768x1152.png.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3.png.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tips-to-keep-running-fun-3.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Try active travel<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">If you&rsquo;re planning a trip to the local shop or post office, instead of walking, driving or even cycling there, try running instead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Active travel is a great way to get stuff done, dodge some of the traffic and even get there faster if the route allows.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Certainly, in Cambridge where I live, running and cycling are becoming increasingly popular as forms of commuting as the traffic has got so bad.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">I&rsquo;m one of those people who likes to get somewhere fast, so running or cycling is often my route of choice. Why not make it yours once or twice a week?<\/p>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/running-to-work-how-to-start-run-commuting\/\">Running to work: How to start run commuting<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Run Parkrun<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">I&rsquo;ve banged on about Parkrun countless times on my blog and social media accounts. This is because I think Parkrun is one of the best fitness initiatives to come out of the UK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Parkrun is a free, timed 5k that takes place every Saturday morning at 9am. It gets you outdoors running with a hundreds of other lovely people &ndash; what&rsquo;s not to love!<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">If you visit the Parkrun <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parkrun.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">website<\/a>, you can view all their runs near you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Parkrun is so much fun and it really gives you a reason to get out of bed on a Saturday morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\">Whether you run it alone or with a group of friends, I guarantee you will find it fun and energising and will feel better for it afterwards.<\/p>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/what-to-expect-at-your-first-parkrun\/\">Love to run: What to expect at your first Parkrun<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Additional resources<\/h2>\n<div class=\"\n  summary-block-wrapper\n\n  summary-block-collection-type-blog\n\n  summary-block-setting-text-size-medium\n  summary-block-setting-text-align-left\n\n  summary-block-setting-design-carousel\n  summary-block-setting-design-list-thumbnail-left\n\n  summary-block-setting-metadata-position-below-content\n  summary-block-setting-primary-metadata-none\n  summary-block-setting-secondary-metadata-none\n\n  summary-block-setting-show-thumbnail\n  summary-block-setting-show-title\n  summary-block-setting-show-price\n  summary-block-setting-hide-excerpt\n\n  sqs-gallery-design-carousel\n\n  \">\n<ul>\n<li>Running For Sweets has written a post on <a href=\"https:\/\/runninforsweets.com\/running-is-hard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">16 ways to make running easier<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Mile by Mile Running has written a post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.milebymileblog.com\/avoiding-boredom-while-marathon-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how to avoid boredom while training for a marathon<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"summary-item-list-container sqs-gallery-container\">\n<div class=\"summary-item-list sqs-gallery\">\n<div class=\"\n          summary-item\n          summary-item-record-type-text\n          sqs-gallery-design-carousel-slide\n\n           summary-item-has-thumbnail\n\n          summary-item-has-cats\n          summary-item-has-tags\n          summary-item-has-author\n          summary-item-has-comments-enabled\n          \">\n<p><!-- End .summary-content --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- End .summary-item --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- End .summary-item-list --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- End .summary-item-list-container --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you get bored of running easily, it&rsquo;s a sign that you need to engage your mind as well as your body. There are lots of tips to keep running fun and get more creative with your runs. I&rsquo;ve spoken about motivation a lot on my blog and social media, in particular the tips and &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2391,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false},"categories":[39,123],"tags":[43,90],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":2391,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/14-300x300.png"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=612"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7233,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/612\/revisions\/7233"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwithcaroline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}