How to Have Fun on a Run

Running stinks.

It's always either too hot or too cold.                 

It hurts!!!!!

It takes up valuable time.

It drains your energy.

How can this guy possibly say you can have fun running.

I used to share many of your same dilemmas. I know what's going through your head right now. It's impossible to have on a run, right. Many times, i share these thoughts. Running does at times stink, but you can make a lot of runs fun using some simple tricks. I didn't think that running could be enjoyable either, but I am here to tell you that it's not impossible.

Have you ever noticed that person that's outside running and smiling, looking like they're having the time of their lives. No? That's because there's not any. Some people sometimes grin or even smile on occasion, but typically most people look like they just want to kill themselves. This is the first thing you have to conquer to make running enjoyable.

Try to fake being happy!

The more you act like you're in pain, the worse your form will get and the more you will be in pain. You have to believe that running is good for you and that you can be happy on a run. Although it might seem inconvenient, smiling helps a ton. Smiling has been scientifically proven to release endorphins which raise your pain tolerance levels by taking up space in the brain and distracting your thoughts. If you can get it in your head that you enjoy running and being outside, enjoying nature, and smile then you've overcome the biggest step.

Yes, science actually approves enjoying running.

If this seems hard to do and you are running in a group, you can play running games. I have sometimes used running games on my runs and they help a lot. They also help distract you from the pain in a competitive and enjoyable way. Most of these may seem childish and embarrassing at times, but when you're on a run and your legs and lungs are killing you, you'll take almost any kind of escape.

These games include seeing how many people you can get to wave at you from their cars, trying to find slug bugs to hit your neighbor, or trying to kick a ball or a can to keep it in front of you while you run. Running games are pretty much anything you can think of to distract you from the pain. In the winter time, my team and I even have snowball fights over long stretches of road.

One of the most essential steps is having a purpose in your running, whether it's to become healthier, lose weight or prepare for a race. You have to set goals and actually try. I hated running as a freshman. That was because I never actually tried. I would just show up to practice and think that i would become fast just by showing up. No, you have to want something and actually try for it. By doing this you will see results and running will no longer be such a gloomy thing, but a gate to something better.

I've talked about the first thing you have to conquer, but this is a step that comes before that. It seems pretty basic, but I've seen people not follow it and be miserable. You have to be prepared for the run. By this I mean that you have to dress appropriately, eat right, and don't eat too much right before you run. I f you don't follow this rule, you will be miserable no matter how happy of a person you are. If it's freezing cold, don't go out in just shorts and a t-shirt. Don't be that guy that thinks he's so cool because he can run in sub thirty weather without a hat, jacket, gloves and, on rare occasions, a shirt.

 News flash, you're not cool unless you're talking temperature wise.

Also don't wear too many clothes. It may seem freezing, but running warms you up and if you wear too much, you will sweat until your body thinks that you are adequately cooled off. Once your body is cooled off, your sweat will freeze.

This is torture! Trust me, I've been there.

If you follow these tricks they will help you have actual fun on a run. It is not impossible. I promise.