Destination Runs are Fun!
“For me, it’s not so much about the health benefits. Those are great, but I believe that the best thing about running is the joy it brings to life.”
Runners: think about your usual running route. Do you all run the same route every day, or try to change it up? Even if the latter was your answer, the convenient running options in the city are very limited. As a Boston runner, I can’t even fathom how many times I’ve run the same path along the Esplanade or the same loop from Charlestown into Medford and back around the casino. Even when I travel, I tend to find a route that I know is safe and interesting and tend to run the same route over and over again. Not only am I a creature of habit, but it takes the guesswork out of the mileage—there have been times I’ve experimented with a new route and ended up running loops around my house at the end to avoid ending a quarter mile early.
While being a routine runner is great and very reliable, it can also lead to boredom and burnout. I remember during the Covid lockdown of 2020, I ran an 8-10 mile loop from my house out and back along the Charles River every single day - and by the time the world opened back up, I had had enough of the Esplanade to last me a lifetime. It wasn’t until I started run commuting everyday this year to Back Bay that I was finally able to face that running route again.
For me, while the routine and structure of a known route is great, it can also feel exactly what it is—the exact same thing on repeat. I tend to do my runs at the same time every day, so in addition to seeing the same sights, I see the same people, the same dogs, the same everything. While this brings a certain sense of camaraderie, it really also makes every run feel like Groundhog Day. So what to do to combat this boredom? Create an adventure that inspires you—even if the route stays similar, there are so many ways to make it more interesting.
When I was at home in Buffalo this past weekend, I was so excited to get out and run my old running routes, especially one that takes me from my grandparents’ old house through the hustle and bustle of Main Street. I couldn’t wait to get back out there and run the same path I had done for so many years as a teenager into college and my younger adult years and see what had changed and what remained the same. However, when we arrived late on Friday night, I quickly realized that my hopes of doing a long run through the city were dashed. First of all, I forgot that because Buffalo is so far West of Boston (literally a straight shot down I-90), the sunrise is a full hour later than it is at home. Therefore, it wouldn’t get light enough to run safely and comfortably until 7:30. Additionally, the sidewalks were covered in a light layer of ice and snow, meaning that even if I could get out to run, I wouldn’t be able to run as long or as far as I had planned in case some of the sidewalks I wanted to use weren’t clear. So, I had to pivot. I looked up how far it was to the nearest Wegman’s from our hotel (great news—it was two miles), and decided that I would run half of my planned mileage on the hotel treadmill until it got light out, and then would run to Wegmans and back to pick up my very favorite mustard that can only be found in Buffalo. Yes. I planned my running route around getting mustard. And you know what? It worked. Normally I would be pretty bummed about splitting miles between a hotel treadmill and outside on a busy main road, but having a destination made it fun and exciting. And yes, I ran two miles home with a jar of mustard in my pocket.
While this was a pretty unique and interesting example, I’ve found that including destinations in my runs not only make regular routes more interesting, but can kill two birds with one stone if you’re including an important errand. For example, earlier this week I had to pick up my dogs from the groomer, but also needed to get two more miles into my run for the day. So I timed it in that I could run a mile out and back from my house, and the additional mile to the groomer in time to pick the boys up. This not only got me my mileage, but I was able to time the pickup better than if I had to drive and potentially hit traffic or not be able to find a parking spot.
Another great example is my daily run commutes to work. I invested in a great running backpack and have been commuting to or from work almost every day since the summer. Not only do I get additional miles for the day, I know exactly when to leave my house to time my arrival at Barry’s perfectly.
Does running errands and run commuting not exactly float your boat, or maybe these aren’t viable options for you? Here’s a way better idea. Find a destination with a sweet treat at the end (or even in the middle). I oftentimes have check-in calls with my runners who complain that they are bored with their long run routes and are looking for ideas to shake it up. And my suggestion? Find a destination with a sweet treat for yourself at the end! I tell my runners to look up an accessible donut, coffee, ice cream, pizza shop and map out a route to get there and then arrange a pick up or some other form of transportation back!
Finding a destination can be a super fun adventure and also takes the boredom out of routine. It allows you to plan a new route, explore new places (even in a familiar area) and feels like you are rewarding yourself at the end. Remember—running should be fun, and there are so many different ways to change up how you move and explore the world around you. Why not multitask or reward yourself with a sweet little treat at the end? Trust me—you deserve it.
Xo
Coach Kelly