Something for those who want to maintain keeping active this year, especially with running…
Since January is over, let me talk to you about something I’ve heard a lot of people mention in the clinic – especially since starting off the year with being more active!
One of the things that most new runners fall into is something called a “running rut.”
Has this ever happened to you?…
Once you start running for a few weeks, it feels great, almost as if you couldn’t imagine life without it!
But then all of a sudden this creeps up on you…
You find yourself stuck in a slump, lacking motivation to get out of bed and slip your running trainers on.
You end up thinking “oh I’ll just go at lunch time, or this evening instead”, or “I’ll go for a run tomorrow”…
…But that never ends up happening.
You’re definitely not alone. This happens to almost everyone – even the top running athletes!
But since being more active has a whole range of benefits such as keeping your joints mobile and preventing the risk of injuries…
…and because I want to help you stay on track all year round, (not just for January!), I wanted to share some tips with you on how you can get yourself out of a running rut, for good!
Here we go:
Change Your Running Route
Do you only have one or two routes that you choose to run?
Many runners do.
They find a route that’s close by and stick with it. Sure it might be convenient – but after a while it loses it’s appeal and becomes ‘boring’.
No wonder you’re in a rut!
Think how you’d feel if you just ate two or three foods day in, day out – it would be pretty boring, right?
Well it’s the same with keeping active.
Take a look and see if there’s a different route you can take instead and the next time you run, decide to run a new route instead.
Use Running To De-stress
While feeling completely unmotivated, it’s easier than ever to talk yourself into skipping runs for reasons you normally wouldn’t.
For instance, if you’re telling yourself you had a really stressful day at work and you deserve to take the evening off and veg out on the sofa with a soap to clear your mind – it’s time to stop and think.
Isn’t a stressful day even more of a reason to get out for a run?
Exercise is a great way of de-stressing and running off a not so good day. (It releases those feel good endorphins too!)
Run Shorter Distances & Run Faster
For some runners I talk to, going the same distance over and over again is an accomplishment, but it can feel like a scene of groundhog day after a while…
As you’re setting your goals, include a variety of distances (they don’t always have to be long!).
Why not challenge yourself to run faster for shorter distances? Or turn the pace down for longer distances so you feel like you can do more?
Don’t get me wrong, pulling yourself out of an exercise rut and firing up your motivation again isn’t easy – but it’s 100% possible!
Remind yourself why you started in the first place and how GREAT you felt when you got to the end of a run.
Now get your trainers back on and have fun – I want to hear all about your running accomplishments, and your new favourite routes!
If you’re after more running tips like this, go here next:http://www.paulgoughphysio.com/sports-injury-clinic
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You might know Paul as an expert Columnist who writes weekly health articles for TWO of the North East's biggest daily Newspapers, The Northern Echo And The Hartlepool Mail, he is a regular Speaker at Industry Seminars around the globe and a Radio Personality, often heard on the BBC. Paul has been an expert guest on dozens of Radio shows and regularly interviewed in newspapers, magazines and trade journals all over the world, including the Guardian.
Paul’s background included working extensively in the Premier League with a Top Professional Football Team, and since quitting his job in Professional Football in 2007, his Physio Practice has become the fastest growing in the UK and biggest in the North East. So successful, that companies like BUPA, ASDA, The Vela Group And Coast & Country, repeatedly retain his Physio company's services to keep healthy their own staff and workforce. Paul Gough Physio Rooms is now a large multi-physio, multi clinic speciality practice in Darlington, Durham, Guisborough and Hartlepool.
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