Whether you run for stress relief or for something to keep you fit, running is one of the best exercises that you can take on today. Running is great fun, and it is often highly invigorating from both a mental a physical perspective. How, though, can you make running part of your daily exercise regime? How can you ensure you do not fall out of this useful habit?
Focus on your step count
The easiest way to make running a part of your competitive spirit is to start running with a target. For example, you could say that on your first day you want to achieve, say, 2,500 steps. Do that for a week, and see how long it takes you; are you getting faster as the days go by? If so, great. You are learning. If not, you can keep working on it, improving form and counting until you find something you are happy with.
Moving up the gears
Many of us fall out of running as we feel we are either not moving fast enough or we cannot keep up with the pace. Set a destination that you want to reach and go from there and back again, changing the ‘gears’ as you go. Start at a jog, slowly move up speed, and before you know it on your way back home you might be picking up the pace!
Try adding some sprints
Building on the above, adding small sprint sections makes sense. Find the parts of your running destination that you feel are most comfortable, and then go from there. For example, you might find at first you want to burst into small sprints of say 50 meters to 100 meters across a flat or downhill surface. Over time, your endurance will grow and you will be hitting 100-200m distances – yes, even uphill!
Invest in an indoor equivalent
Sometimes, weather or time means that we simply cannot find the time for an outdoors run. If that is the case, invest in something like a treadmill that you can use at home. This is great for building up speed and it also means that you can build up the pace at your own time and convenience. Over time, this means that you do not make excuses about avoiding running due to it being icy outside or due to a torrential storm. Now, you can fit your run in regardless of the conditions!