1. Get a Running Buddy
It's easy to ignore your own intentions to train (after all, how many times have you told yourself "I'll sleep in today, run tomorrow?"). But it'll be much harder to skip a run if there's someone out there waiting for you. "Having a running buddy can keep you motivated and occupied with conversation," says Julie Swail Ertel, a professional triathlete. She recommends scheduling your workouts with a range of buddies who operate at different speeds. "Find some partners who are fast, some medium, and some slow, with whom you can do different workouts," she says. "That way, you can stick to your plan without going too hard on your easy days or too easy on your hard days."
2. Explore Your Surroundings
Plodding down the same road every day? No wonder you're bored. Turn up the excitement factor on your runs by seeking out new or unusual places to train. Explore parks and hiking trails; run over bridges and scenic back roads, or check out USA Track & Field's database of America's Running Routes to find a rave run near you. Then, says Swail Ertel, "make a list of your favorite run locations, and hit them about once a month. That'll give you something to look forward to, especially for the longer runs."
3. Crosstrain for a Change
Vary things up and give your legs a rest by opting for a swim or a bike ride instead of your scheduled run. By substituting a run every other week for a swim or a bike ride, you'll get just as good of a workout while breaking up the monotony of running. If you really want to run, replace an interval workout with a mini duathlon. Do a run-swim-run or a run-bike-run, repeated over and over for about an hour. It's more fun that way, and you're not pounding as much as you would in a regular speed workout.
4. Join a Club
For the ultimate motivator, join a running club or team. You'll get instant access to training buddies and coaching, plus a built-in cheering section at races. Swail Ertel never ran on a high school or cross country team, but discovered the benefits of the group environment through a women's team. "Racing with them in the off-season helps me keep up my speed and mileage, and keeps my racing skills fresh," she says. To find a club near you, check out the Road Runners Club of America.
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