How to break the boredom of running?

[Jamsandwich]

OK, I am an evening runner, i have little in the tank for morning runs... but mornings are more convenient for sure! Now here's the crux of my problem... running is boring and although i run for a good medical return (my knee) I need some company to break the monotony.

Park runs!! I hear you shout. No clue how these work, can anyone help??? and also can i do a run without giving out my personal data, name, address, age, etc?? can i be Anon.?

I don't get endorphines, high fives or a kick out of PB's just want to run to keep well with no strings to break the boredom.

many thanks in advance.

[Berry5]

Have you tried podcasts? Or audiobooks? I personally can’t concentrate on them because my mind wanders but you might be the perfect person for them.

I’d also love to know how Park Run works, still a little nervous to try it

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Berry5]

Regarding Parkruns, to you both Berry5 and Jamsandwich, Parkruns, as the name suggests, are run every Saturday morning at 9 o'clock in England and 9.30 in Scotland, For details go to parkrun.ork.uk

[Woggle Graduate]

I know exactly how you feel especially living in a family of athletes who are only concerned with times or winning the next half marathon. I ignore them and just run against myself. I do feel good if I have ran further or better than before but this comes with time. Like you I have to psych myself up to do it and pod casts do seem to help. I like listening to a comedy.

[Clarefromclare Graduate]

You can register with park run, you get a bar code which is scanned and gives you a time, but I have noticed on the results board for our park run there are always a few anons.

I registered and have completed two so far, I love to see times, nothing to do with beating anyone else but to keep an eye on my progress.

Really friendly supportive events

[MarkyD Graduate]

You'll need to register with parkrun to get an athlete barcode, and of course you will provide your name, age, gender. After each run, the results are published, showing name, age category (not specifically age, but Veteran Men 50-60 for example) and your time. Mostly when there is an 'anon' entry in the results table it is because the runner forgot to bring their barcode, and could not be identified.

Another approach, particularly if you run in the evening is to find a local running club. It's good to run with company. It is a matter of finding the right group with the 'right' type of running and approach. Some are more Athletics focused, and some are more social focused.

[Jamsandwich Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

thanks. so i could just register as Seb Coe and forget my barcode... why does life always want your personal l details? maybe numbers are the way... or is that too Patrick McGoohan? i did think running club but I am not in their class me thinks!

[Flyingred Graduate]

To quote a former boss of mine's response to anyone who said they were bored: 'how are you doing that?'. In other words, you're not curious enough about what you're doing!

When I run, I'm fascinated by the colour of the leaves on the trees, the butterflies and dragonflies in the field plus I'm paying attention to my posture, my form, cadence and breathing to check I'm running efficiently.

Are you clear about your motivations for running? Do you have goals that you can measure against? If there's a point and purpose to your running then it should be much more interesting. If not, then maybe try swimming or cycling.

[Jamsandwich Graduate in reply to Flyingred]

i run to recover from a knee injury, and it's helping my knee no end! thanks for the info.

[misswobble Graduate]

There’s plenty of info about Parkrun on their website, and enough here to fill a library. just type Parkrun into the Search box 🙂

I think as adults we should be able to keep ourselves amused on runs If you’re running for fitness you’re not talking long periods of time Can’t you just daydream/listen to music etc 🤷‍♀️ The hours just fly by 🙂.