How to Prevent Boredom on Long Runs

If you want to train for a marathon or do any long distance running, you may be worried about the boredom factor on long runs. The ability to carry music with you may help, but you may not like the added gear or find that you just don't want to hear music for that long of a stretch. Never fear, there are ways to entertain yourself for these runs. Here are a few, and if you run long enough, you'll be able to make your own list.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Talk to yourself. It may not be cool, but it's a great way to pass some time. Imagine having a conversation with someone you admire but have never met, or imagine something pleasant from your past.
2. See yourself in a road race. Imagine the runners around you as you pass them and the crowd cheering. This may give you a second wind when you are tired.
3. Play mind games with yourself. Tell yourself you will maintain a certain pace for the next 3 minutes, then you will slow down. When 3 minutes have passed, speed up a little instead. You may find you don't need to slow down after all, just return to your normal running pace.
4. Sing a song to the rhythm of your footsteps.
5. Smile. Smiling helps remind you that you really do feel good. As long as you feel good running, you can keep going.
6. Shorten or lengthen your stride for a minute when you get extremely tired on really long runs. It goes against common wisdom of keeping an even stride and pace, but it really does help you become more aware of what you are doing, and may relieve your muscles and joints of that feeling of extreme fatigue and monotony for a moment.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to be mindful of your surroundings to prevent falls and collisions.