I’m Bored of Running on the treadmill but still enjoy running…..

I have the perfect solution for you….outdoor running!

Running on a treadmill can get very repetitive very fast despite being able to watch a Netflix show, read a book etc. Yes, many treadmills nowadays have a built-in entertainment system so that you don’t get bored, (first clue that treadmill running is tedious!), but can anyone focus on running to their full extent whilst watching Netflix?

Implementing outdoor running into your week will bring excitement and a sense of exploration into your runs, removing the feeling of being bored while running on the treadmill. Trust me once you try it you will never go back.

Discover why outdoor running is your solution and how to craft your perfect running route!

Each run can be in a different place, and along each run, the scenery will change as the run goes on. It can be uplifting even to see a pretty patch of flowers or the sun reflecting off the sea (I always found this would help motivate me and put a smile on my face whenever I would run). If you can, try to have different possible routes with different scenery ensuring that there will be something that excites and helps to motivate you.

Running on a treadmill with friends can be tricky. The treadmills are never close enough together to have a conversation and can feel quite isolating despite being next to someone you know. By choosing to run outside you can easily chat with friends and help motivate each other to push yourself to go further than you think, (a lot of the time in running your mind will give up before your body is ready to).

You can even try out running groups, this means you wouldn’t have to plan a route and it’s a great opportunity to make friends that live in your area.

Do not underestimate the power of fresh air. The fresh air provides a slight breeze and higher oxygen levels which when combined leave you feeling more energised and uplifted. Neither of which you can get whilst running on a treadmill.

Finding good running routes can be a challenge. You need them to be the right length, in areas where it’s not overcrowded, reasonably flat (unless you enjoy running uphill!) and you want some nice scenery points along the way. It may sound impossible but trust me there is a route that will be perfect for you.

This can change for each run but having a standard length in which you would like your runs to be can help you to pinpoint the better routes for you. Now if you can I would recommend finding a route that is adjustable so that you can decrease and increase your runs accordingly.

Go onto Google Maps and look into your area, find any parks, beaches, and woods that you can travel to without taking up too much of your time, (if you pick one too far away you will be less motivated to go, try to pick one that is easy to get to if you can). From this create a list using what you have found and combining it with the distance that you want to run.

You will need to experiment, a route may be perfect on paper but you may find that when you run the route, it isn’t for you. Try not to be discouraged by this, remember you still went out there and completed the run. Staying consistent is key. If you need some inspiration try locating a local run club, you may get exposed to new and exciting routes that you wouldn’t have thought of which you can then run in your own time.

Even if you don’t find the perfect route that’s okay, maybe outdoor running isn’t your thing and you find it more comfortable to run on the treadmill. The main priority with any fitness is to make sure you are enjoying it and feeling comfortable because without those two things, you will find it very hard to stay consistent. Therefore impacting upon the lifestyle you are trying so hard to build.

Just in case you weren’t convinced to try out outdoor running here are some additional benefits that you can only recieve when running outside.

The handy thing about running on a treadmill is that it tracks how far you have travelled with ease, you don’t need to have a fitness watch nor hold onto your phone whilst running. But that does not mean that it is impossible to track your outdoor runs, it just involves a few additional things.

I would recommend downloading Strava. this is an app which will track the distance you go, and the pace that you run and will store all your data together so that you can look back on how much progress you are making.

You can link Strava to your fitness watch if you have one but if you don’t I would recommend getting a running vest which can hold onto your phone whilst you are running. You can find various good quality vests on Amazon for affordable prices.

Want more lifestyle and fitness content check out this post which will help you stay more consistent with your workouts.