The fun of the run

A few weeks back I posted about how I had started running and how much I was enjoying it. I've had to take a two week break because work and wedding planning got in the way but I finished my second run this week today and had some funny thoughts while my feet were pounding the pavement.

Running really is mostly in the mind. When you look up and see that hell of a distance in front of you, it can seem really daunting and I often immediately feel put off by it. But keeping your head down and only looking a few steps in front of you is a.) dangerous (Car? What car?) and b.) apparently really bad for your posture.

The Jozi weather has also decided to skip autumn entirely and drop the temperature gauge straight into winter. So honestly, running isn't quite as much fun at the moment as it used to be. I'm saving up to go buy some proper winter running gear but with wedding number one this weekend, I'm going to have to wait until my next paycheck!

So while I was running today, I ran through a pile of autumn leaves and took immense pleasure in kicking the hell out of them. Which got me thinking...what are some ways to keep the "fun" in your "run"? Aside from making sure you enjoy it and continue to look forward to it, finding the fun can also help you pay more attention to your surroundings, AND it helps pass the time. So see below for my list of ways to make your run more fun:

1. Music. I really cannot understate the importance of music when running. I've read on the running blogs that some runners look down on it but come on! What better way to climb that hill than to the Rocky theme song? Some of my personal favourites include: Journey's Don't Stop Believing (I blame Glee), Jump by Van Halen (also a Glee version), Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer, Pink Just Like a Pill, 30 Seconds to Mars' The Kill (yeah, I know...go figure!). Today's top song went to Bon Jovi - It's my Life. I even punched out some of the drum beats with my fists while running. It may have looked a little weird but definitely made things more entertaining.

2. Play in the leaves. I really felt like a little kid again when I found myself kicking my way through a pile of fallen autumn leaves. It also really makes you appreciate being outside (and with the winter months ahead, any time outside can only be good for you).

3. Race your shadow. There's a certain stretch of road along my route where I'm running alongside a wall. Across the road is an open field that runs for about a block. At the right time of day, this set up is perfectly placed to cast my shadow so that it literally looks like I have a running buddy alongside me. I only discovered her this week but it made me realise I don't look half as stupid running as I thought I did. And you know what they say, the only person you should be competing with is yourself.

I'm like this - kicking my shadow's ass. Source: pretty*petite*poppy

4. High-five the streetlights. Ok, I don't mean really. But there are a couple of corners where the streetlight marks a certain point in my run and I always imagine myself high-fiving it as I run past. It's gotten to a point where the minute I spot it, I feel a little push of energy, the same way I imagine spectators at a marathon make you feel. It gives you a boost, makes you feel like you have a friend or someone rooting for you, and it gives me a silly image to smile at.

So those are the ways I'm finding the fun in my run. I'll keep an eye out for more but if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them...