5 ways to make running more interesting and how to outsmart fatigue.
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Running for 10 years now has taught me a few things about fatigue. I have learned that my body always reaches a point that it needs a break. Days and weeks of training take their toll on my emotional and physical well being. I have come up with a few ideas of mine that will help you fight fatigue.
Running is the core of many people’s weight loss and fitness workouts. Surprisingly, however, I am learning more and more that people find their daily run boring, uninteresting and repetetive. Here are 5 simple ways you can jazz up your run so it is more interesting and fun.
Running does not have to be boring!
First and most often over looked is the importance of a good night’s sleep. My own biggest source of fatigue is not getting 8 hours of sleep a night. Being an active person I can always think of something that I need to do. I try to stick to a scheduled time for bed. This can be difficult at times when life throws me a curve. I would say that 5 nights a week I stick to my schedule.
1. Get a nice pair of shoes.
When I got my new running shoes I found running much more enjoyable because I loved wearing my new shoes! It might seem silly but when you have something comfortable to run in you are more likely to enjoy the act of running itself.
If you are like me and like to run in the park and through the streets you need a good pair of cross-trainers.
Second is the importance of eating right. Every time I start eating fast food and drinking beer my running performance suffers, plus I feel lousy all the time. I always start my day with a good breakfast of cereal or oatmeal. I enjoy eating fruit with my cereal and oatmeal. My favorites are bananas, strawberries and blueberries. For lunch I usually eat a sandwich and fresh vegetables. I enjoy tuna, ham, or roast beef. For dinner my wife who is an excellent cook prepares chicken breasts, tuna patties, spaghetti made with ground turkey. We will have vegetables or a salad with our dinner.
I have found that Asics Gels are still the best running shoe on the market and will wear them again and again until something else steps up to the plate.
2. Get a good song.
The workout music section over at Real Women’s Fitness is just about the most popular section of the whole site. People love their workout music because it really makes things a lot more enjoyable and intense.
The beat of a good song can make you run faster.
Third is the importance of recovery after working out. My usual workout will last an hour. On Sunday’s I can be out running for up to 3 hours at a time. Every day after running I always make sure to rehydrate and eat something. I like to work out in the morning so I usually run before I eat. This makes recovery easier for me. First I always make sure to rehydrate before I sit down to eat breakfast. On the days when I run in the afternoon I will not eat lunch until afterwards. I usually eat a snack a couple hours before my afternoon run. Afterwards I rehydrate before eating lunch.
It can inspire you or anger you or get you really emotional. Either way, if you put a good workout playlist in your iPod you are bound to find running more enjoyable. It basically getting you fit while you relax!
3. Run with more than three people.
Whenever I go for a run with more than a couple of mates we always end up pushing ourselves like crazy and ending up completely exhausted because we all tried to outdo each other. Failing that, we end up having a hilarious time joking and telling stories while we jog - so much so that I often forget I am working out.
Fourth is the importance of taking recovery weeks. For many years I made the mistake of training hard week after week, month after month. I was always injured, grouchy and tired. When I tried reducing my workouts every third week my performances started going through the roof. I train hard for two weeks and on the third week reduce the number of days and the intensity in half. Following this pattern lead me to all of my personal records.
The bigger the group the better the laughs!
4. Run by the water.
In my home town we have so many creeks and lakes and rivers. We even have a big river running right through the middle of the inner city. The gardens and fountains around this city river are so beautiful and peaceful, you can hardly hear any cars or trucks at all. This is a really peaceful place to go for a jog and many business men and women spend their lunch breaks going for a nice jog instead of sitting in a boring cafe somewhere.
You can out smart fatigue as well by applying some of these suggestions to your own running program… [read more]
I find running by the water extremely enjoyable. It has something tribal about it and makes me feel like I am a warrior back in ancient time training for battle. I highly encourage everyone to find a nice creek or river near your place and jog there regularly.
• Always have some goals in mind and work for them.
• Find a buddy to run with!…dogs work too!
• Subscribe to Runner’s World magazine.
• No, you are not a wimp if you have to walk.
• Buy powdered Gatorade for summer running…its cheaper!
5. Make running the secondary aim.
This is so obvious that not many people think of it. When you play tennis you do a lot of running. When you play football you do a lot of running. Why, then, do people think that weight loss or fitness running has to take the form of long winded boring jogs?
It doesn’t.
• Yes, many runners DO drink soft drinks…there are worse vices!
• You are not the ONLY one who has trouble getting up in the mornings!
• Running tips are just tips….not set in stone!
• Never raced before? Go WATCH a race before signing up. You’ll know what to expect then.
• Got a side cramp? Think about something else for a minute. They go away!
• Running tips 101…take them all with a few grains of salt. Tips which work for me may not work for you!
• Check your cable guide for running events…very inspiring!
• If hills hurt your hamstrings, don’t do them! Running hills is a common running tip, but they are not required to be a good runner.
• Spend at least SOME time running on dirt or grass… [read more]
If you make winning a game of soccer your primary aim you will find that you get a lot of running done without actually having to force yourself to do it. If you can find someway to shift your attention away from the sheer amount of time you spend running each day you will find it much more enjoyable.
Conclusion.
Running is an amazing form of exercise. It is so simple yet it can have some really amazing health and weight loss benefits. If you find yourself getting a bit bored with the usual jog you should try to spice it up by changing the usual formula. The run doesn’t have to take the same shape/place/form each time.
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