How to Make Running Suck Less

We've all been there. The heavy legs. The labored breath. The minutes ticking by at a snail's pace and the incessant pounding as your feet slap along, your body seeming to grimace with every sloggy, uninspired step.

Let's face it, sometimes running just plain sucks.

Fortunately, there is hope! No matter how much you might hate running with every fibre of your being, you are not doomed to despise it forever. Here are seven ways we've found to help make running more yay than yuck.

Running off road can bring a new element of excitement to your run. Focusing on the trail and avoiding obstacles like rocks and roots can help to take your mind off of the difficulty. With the birds and the trees around to distract, the time and the miles will fly by.

As an added bonus, trail running is much less focused on how fast you move and a great deal more about conquering the terrain and enjoying the outdoors. Slowing down and soaking it up never felt so good!

Fun Tip: Running on technical trials can help improve your coordination, agility, and balance.

Running with friends is a great way to stay motivated. A fun conversation, or really any conversation at all, can distract you from the difficulty of running. It's true that talking while running can be quite difficult depending on your pace, but even just the camaraderie of mutual suffering seems to make running more fun. Running with others can also help keep you accountable to your running goals and make sure you actually wake up for that 6 a.m. run.

Fun Tip: Local running clubs and meet-ups are great ways to connect with other runners. Don't be intimidated! Most everyone is there for the same reason you are.

Working toward a goal is a great way to keep your motivation to run strong. Whether you are training for a race or have a certain distance or mileage that you want to reach, you can feel rewarded by the achievements your hard work can accomplish.

Fun Tip: Use a running app or a GPS watch to help you track your progress or training plan.

Of course, running the same route, again and again, is going to become boring. Changing up your running routine is an easy way to have more fun, and it may help make you a stronger runner too. Even something as simple as running your normal route in the opposite direction can be a refreshing change.

Fun Tip: Changing your route can also be good on your body. Varying your running terrain can help prevent imbalances in your body and the injuries they can cause.

Studies show that listening to music can boost your mood and help to distract from the discomfort and fatigue of running. Upbeat music helps with motivation and can make running more fun. It may even help you run faster!

Fun Tip: Try to find music that has a beat similar to your running tempo.

On the other hand, it can be just as important to disconnect from the apps and music to reconnect with running. Try leaving the headphones and GPS at home, and go for a run where you don't have to worry about mileage or pace. Pay attention to your breath, the world around you, and try to focus on the things you appreciate about running.

Fun Tip: It's okay to intersperse walk breaks into your run. Pay attention to your body's needs, and try to make your run as enjoyable as possible.

Fitness can play a huge part in being able to enjoy your running experience. As you run more, your running strength will grow, and those miles will start to feel easier. By keeping fatigue at bay, you will be able to run longer and with less effort. Be careful: With regular training, you may end up falling in love with running after all.