How to run for fun

Embrace these five ways to find the childlike joy and fun in running.

t I didn’t always run for fun. I started running about 11 years ago during my quest to get more active and lose weight. But somewhere along the way, I fell in love. Don’t get me wrong, it took some time.

t I think back to high school softball practices where we moaned and whined about running the bases or jogging around the perimeter of the field. I think back to all the jokes that I’ve made in my life about running; “not unless someone is chasing me!” is the prime example, and I smile.

t These days, running is a way to stay happy and healthy as a busy working mom of three. But still, it took a while for it to be considered “fun.” I described the things that I “Run For” on my blog recently, and “fun” still isn’t listed. It still doesn’t come to mind as “fun,” despite the enjoyment that I get from running.

t Last weekend, my daughter accompanied me to Dick’s Sporting Goods to try on and purchase a new pair of running shoes.

t

t She’s 8 years old and very easy to have around during errands, generally helpful and supportive. But then we had an idea: She should also try on running shoes. She could become a runner too.

t She has expressed an interest in doing a kids’ run, or running alongside me during shorter training runs, but she’s never had real running shoes.

t So as we laced up each other’s shoes, I asked her “what will you run for? What will be your reason?” And she said “I want to run for fun!”

t

t I thought about the childlike enthusiasm and how, as adults, we often lose the joy in our activities. We are mission-driven, we “get it done,” we check it off the list of things we need to do each day.

t So I thought about what could make an adult run for fun rather than fitness, weight loss, self-competition with previous race results or any other less-than-fun reasons, and decided that this spring I will embrace these five ways to find the childlike joy and fun in running.

t

Ditch the watch

t Once a week, I will try to run without a watch and without my eye on the clock. I’ll run by feel and just be in tune with my body.

t

Look around

t Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the mission to run X number of miles or to get X minutes of exercise that we forget to stop and smell the proverbial roses, to look around at nature, the other people enjoying the outdoors or just at the horizon.

t

Run with others

t Making a social event out of your run can turn it into a time of conversation, laughter and bonding.

t

Carry a happy list

t A happy list? Yes, a happy list. Write a happy thought on a piece of paper for every five minutes you will be running, and check the list as you go. If you’re running a longer distance you can make it one happy thought for every mile.

t

Fake it till you make it

t Have you ever noticed how serious people look when they are running? Try smiling, plaster a huge grin on your face from ear to ear; it’s contagious.

t If these five tips don’t help you reclaim the childlike joy of running, then create your own fun and discover the joy of a great run.

t What do you run for? How do you find joy in running?