If you ever find yourself looking for running motivation, it’s time to switch up your running routes! A change of running scenery can do wonders. Plus, running the same routes repeatedly may expose more stress to specific body regions and lead to overuse injuries. Unfortunately, I’m not the most intrepid runner, so, I guess do as I say, not as I do?
Least interesting man in the world
I’m a creature of habit and I’ve got an addictive personality—a double whammy for my wife who often refuses to eat leftovers, doesn’t like watching any movies or shows she’s seen, and is always on the hunt for the newest (and usually disappointing) bar, restaurant, museum, or any other attraction. But, in sickness and in health, and in redeeming qualities and in character flaws, right?
I like to eat the same things (my neighborhood Taco joint thanks me), do the same activities (running, running, and some more running), and visit the same places. In other words, I’m boring as hell. As if my shoe colorway choices weren’t already a dead giveaway. Chalk it up to my anxiety of new social situations, environments, people, or just life, but one thing is clear: I like to stick to the familiar. Oh, and I’m basic.
Been there, run that
Nowhere is my monotony more prevalent than when it comes to my running. Not with what I’m wearing—I’m known to go a bit overboard on buying new shoes. I’m talking about my running routes. I’ve never been the type of runner who enjoys discovering new terrain on the run. I like to stick to what I know and not venture too far from my beaten path. And, let me tell you, it’s well-trodden from constant running with size 15 shoes.
I like predictability. I like knowing the exact distance it takes to get to that daunting hill, how long I’ll be huffing and puffing up it, and how many miles I have left after I conquer it. It helps me prepare my runs, paces, and my mind—the mental component is more than half the battle of any run, whether it’s a 5-miler or 15. It’s not surprising, then, that the majority of my runs are out-and-back routes.
My fear of the unknown is irrational. I carry my phone with me on every run—it’s not like I could get lost, even if I tried. Can’t even imagine how runners (or anyone) navigated new or even recognizable roads or trails before GPS. I was born in the right time period, for sure. (Spoken like a true millennial).
Grass is always greener
I have the same several routes I stick to and I’m content with them. Until I’m not. Naturally, not experiencing any new sights, sounds, smells, elevation profiles, and traffic patterns, can quickly make running feel stale—especially when you’re running six days a week as part of marathon training. When that happens, I know it’s time to broaden my running perspective. No, I’m not talking about creating new running routes. That’s too much work and there’s too much uncertainty. I’m talking about traveling.
This summer during my marathon training for the Marine Corps Marathon, I’ve left Richmond, VA to travel to Baltimore, Virginia’s Hampton Roads, Washington DC, New York City, Maine, and Central Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Before you praise me for expanding my horizons, I must admit, these are all places I’ve been to before. I’m dull as can be, remember?
When my wife and I travel to see family, friends, or for vacation, I gladly immerse myself in familiar sights, sounds, smells, elevation profiles, and traffic patterns that I haven’t experienced in a whole month or so! Very adventurous of me, I know.
My excitement to travel to new destinations is tempered by the realization that I have no idea where I’ll go running. Is running even a thing in that country? Is it safe to run in this country? And do I need a runner’s license to traverse the roads in that other country? Ah, who am I kidding—it’s not like the U.S. is a runner’s paradise. We lead the world in terrible drivers, unsafe and busy roads with no shoulders, and reckless bicyclists. As for the runners, well, everyone knows we’re model citizens who run on the correct side of the road, always wave to others, and
Back to reality
The best part about traveling? When I return home, I have my old, trusted running routes that feel brand-new after a whole week. Ok, maybe not brand-new, but it gives me a renewed sense of gratitude for the fun, picturesque routes in my own neck of the woods.
And when changing up the route doesn’t reenergize my runs, I can always buy yet another pair of running shoes. Just like running routes, you can never have too many.
