15 Tips for Overcoming Running's Tough Stuff

The problem with the “tough stuff” about running is it’s all so personal. 

For some of us the tough stuff is infrequent but major.  For others it’s ongoing and nagging at us.  But regardless, the tough stuff can keep us from enjoying our running and being our best.

The ideas below come from a longer list of tips in The Complete Book of Beginning Running, by Amby Burfoot, Executive Editor of Runners’ World magazine. 

Everyone sharing personal experiences or suggestions to get through the Tough Stuff is eligible to win a copy of the book, autographed by the author.  Plus, we have some Runners’ Lounge t-shirts to give away.

Just tee up your ideas at tomorrow’s Take It And Run Thursday or leave a comment.  All the ideas will be compiled and your ideas might very well make a difference to another fellow runner.

15 Tips for Overcoming Running's Tough Stuff

1. Don’t plan your running route…turn where you want or even where you’re least likely to turn on your more routine runs.
2. Dedicate each mile you run to some cause, suffering, or someone very important to you. 
3. Add a theme to your runs—running to different schools, churches, parks, coffee shops
4. The day before your long runs, go out along your course and drop pennies along the route.  It will get you out there for the run, you might get some pennies back, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t!
5. Take a shower before you run.  It wakes you up, re-energizes you and leaves you feeling ready to start your run.
6. Before doing a tough run or speed session, read up on the type of workout in one of your running books.  It helps review what benefits you’ll be getting from the workout.
7. Prepare for the tough workouts the day before. Lay out all your clothes or pack them in your gear bag.  Plan and write down the precise workout you want to do—number of miles, repeats, pace, your mantra.  Organize your meals, snacks, and hydration accordingly.
8. Write a brief description about how great you feel after your runs, what it does for you body, mind, and the rest of your day.
9. For fun speedwork, do “carleks” instead of fartleks.  It can mean running from parked car to parked car—you choose the spacing—or can mean start running when a car passes you and hold the pace until another car passes you. Just have fun with it!
10. Create your own mantras—one for getting out the door, one for hills, one for recovery between repeats, one for finishing well.
11. Never miss an opportunity to train in truly miserable weather.  It creates a huge challenge and gives an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
12. Do your long run during the week instead of during the week.  That way after it’s over, you’re sore and cranky at work.  Then come the weekend, you’re feeling refreshed and not so pressed for time, and your best is available or family and friends.
13. Deposit a quarter in a piggy bank for every mile you run.  It adds up to buy something you want like music, gear, or a race registration.
14. Before a long run, write “15 Mile Training Run” on the back side of an old race number and pin it to your shirt.  It makes the run feel more important and you might get yells of encouragement.
15. And this idea is completely mine.  Pick out a favorite BRF (blogging running friend), or find a member of Runners' Lounge whose interests, capabilities, or goals are comparable to yours.  Then leave them a comment on their blog or on their profile that just says you’re thinking of them on your next run or ask them to send you some good vibes.  Trust me, other runners will understand and you’ll feel a difference.

Bring on your ideas to get through the Tough Stuff.

Hero shirt on Flickr by knzfan

Comments

[Eric]

Thanks for the tips. I will be sure to utilize a few of them.

[Runner Girl]

I completely agree with running before work. It is the best feeling to happily greet your coworkers sleepily drinking coffee while you feel chipper and accomplished from an 8 miler well done at 6am. Confidence booster 100%!

[Runnin' Ragged]

Those are some great suggestions!

When I don't want to go out and run I go through my running log and read all my comments about my previous outings. That with the date of my next race clearly written on the log usually gives me the motivation I need to go out there.

[Kelsey]

what a great list. i am going to print it out and use some of these suggestions! thanks!

[Laura]

I'm definitely bookmarking this list. Also, with regards to number 4, I'm thinking of doing a run for Tasti D-Lite frozen yogurt on Saturday! :)

[Rebecca]

My favorite suggestion is No. 14. There is something about having a race number pinned to me that makes me want to do my best.

Another thing that has really helped me to get through tough stuff this summer is having my Nike+ chip. Trying to beat my best times and up my average pace are enough of a challenge to keep me going. And I just love when Lance Armstrong comes on to tell me I just completed my best mile. I'm easy to please, what can I say?

[Ben C]

I run in the mornings in a small town. I just imagined myself doing "carleks" in the form where I started running hard when a car passed me and stopped when another car passed me. I could be out there a long, long time!

I do like these tips, though. I'm going to try that penny thing.

[Wholesale Cheap Jersey]

This site is excellent and so is how the subject matter was explained. I also like some of the comments too.Waiting for next post.