WHEN YOU’VE BEEN RUNNING the same course at the same pace for a long period, the route and scenery become boring and you might feel as though you’re on “autopilot” during your run. Most runners experience these same feelings at one time or another during their training. Challenging yourself daily with your running program will help minimize your “comfort-zone” tendencies. Here’s how:
First, runners should set personal fitness goals to improve fitness performance. Whether you are improving your time or your distance, you should be monitoring these personal goals weekly. Remember, if you do not set personal goals for yourself, you’ll never reach them. A daily running log is a great way to monitor time, distance, and running routes to notice patterns in your running and will enable you to achieve your goals.
In addition, choosing different running routes to vary the scenery and terrain will allow you to challenge yourself as a runner. But, most important, remember to choose safe running routes either in a park or on streets with sidewalks.
Adding sprints to your workout and varying your speed at different points during your run will provide a more effective, challenging workout, as well.
Cross training is another great way to vary your workout routine. Choosing at least two cross-training sports to include in your running program will provide a well-balanced, challenging fitness program.
Finally, evaluate yourself as a runner and choose one or two areas in running that you can improve upon, and focus your attention on those areas. For example, my areas of concern are hills and incline workouts. I purposely choose certain routes that concentrate on hills to challenge myself as a runner.
There are many ways to discover new challenges as a runner. Find out for yourself what you can do to minimize your “comfort-zone” tendencies. It will make you a better runner.
Amanda Manthey is a former collegiate runner for Eastern Michigan University. She writes about running and fitness for Dave’s Running Shop.
