Show of hands – How many of you think that running is boring? OK, OK, put them down! While many runners proclaim that running, in and of itself is bliss, I am not from that camp. To me, running is pretty boring. I know that this is a statement that could put me in danger of being burned at the stake down at the local running store, but it’s true. The act of running, unless you are running after or away from something, is like cruising the strip in your car. Most of the time, it isn’t the act of doing it that is fun. It’s what you see and hear while you are doing it that makes it an interesting experience. So what can you do to make the required miles a bit more interesting?

First, vary your route. If you normally turn left – turn right. It’s amazing how the same route can feel different, just by running in the other direction.

Second, drive to a new spot. I know that it’s convenient to run out your front door, but sometimes you just need to take a little road trip to find new scenery. You don’t have to drive to the next state. Just cruise across town or to the next city. The different view will put a new spark in your step.

Next, slow down and look around. Even on your most traveled route, I’ll bet that there are plenty of things that are there in plain sight that you have never seen. Try counting the number of different types of birds, dogs, or flowers that are along the way. Taking the time to look for things that you wouldn’t normally think about will take your mind off of running, while the act of looking will make you appreciate what is around you.

Finally, for a change of pace, don’t run in circles – run in ovals. From time to time, taking it to the track is good for your legs, and it helps to give you a reality check on your training. Running a Magic Mile every now and then give you a training benchmark, and keeps your long run pace in check. It may not be as scenic as a run in the park, but can be a great change of pace.

Next time: What to look for when picking your first marathon