We all go through phases where we can't wait until the next time we pull on our trainers, and then we have other phases where our appetite diminishes for running and our life greedily swallows up the time we allocated for it! But we can inspire ourselves to keep up our running throughout the year, and here's how:
1. Variety is the spice of life.
If your daily run is the same five-mile route around the block every day, no wonder you're in need of rejuvenation! The chances are that your run is one of the few times of the day you have scheduled for yourself, so why not really make it something to savour? Think of it as a chance to do some exploring, or visit some favourite nature haunts. You could have spontaneous runs where you make right or left turns spontaneously even if you're not sure where you're going; many great running routes have been discovered this way. Try and look at your schedule with an eye for a running opportunity: if you have an unexpected trip from A to B today, is there any chance you could run there? (Or better still, run home where you have a shower waiting for you at the end)
2. Races are fun
Many of us have a very goal-oriented attitude, and scheduling races can be a very good way of focusing our attention and making us clear some time in our schedule to prepare! Longer races, such as marathons, involve a wide variety of different training sessions - intervals, tempo running, long distance and recovery runs - this mix of runs in itself helps mantain a sense of newness. There are so many races out there, in some of the most beautiful locations you could think of - why not pick a race in some far flung corner of the country you haven't visited in a long time (or even another country) - and turn your race into a weekend away?
3. Inspiration comes in many forms
Some friends to run with can be the single biggest factor in helping you keep your running appetite; it never ceases to amaze me how with other people you find yourself running quicker and with less effort. Your friends may also know a few nice little running routes that you don't! Similarly, a running club offers this support combined with a schedule you just have to fit into, plus you could be lucky to have a good coach who understands the ups and downs of running form and how to deal with them. One less vaunted method, but also very effective is to keep a helthy dose of running in your reading, magazines with the latest tips and tricks, inspiring websites (like this one!) or amazing running stories. You never know what you might read that will make you reach for your runners and head out the door again!
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