Mistake #2: Make Your Runs Boring
There's nothing less motivational than watching the clock on a treadmill tick away the seconds until your workout is over. Likewise, running the same route every time you lace up your shoes will do little to lift your spirits.
Try This: Get Outside, Go Off Road
Getting out into nature, or even just out into your neighborhood awakens your senses and can turn a workout into an experience. Leave the pavement and take your run onto a winding woodland path, and that experience starts to feel more like an adventure! Spending just a little time researching new running routes now will pay off big later. Check out the websites of your local and state park service for maps of trails, and ask other runners what some of their favorite routes are. If you don't know any runners personally, search for other runners' routes in your area within popular running apps, like MapMyRun, Daily Mile and Strava.
You don’t have to break the bank to be really well-equipped for your new sport.
Mistake #3: Failure to Invest in Your New Sport
Taking your workouts outdoors requires that you have a few essential clothing items and accessories in order to make your runs more enjoyable. And let's face it: There are few things more motivating than the opportunity to try out new gear.
Try This: Get the Right Gear
Luckily, you don't have to break the bank to be really well-equipped for your new sport. There are just a few things that every runner needs, and you may already have some of them in your closet:
- A pair of running shoes that fits well and feels comfortable
- A set of lightweight, wicking clothes (shorts and a t-shirt or tank) for hot, humid days
- Layers of warmer clothes (sweatpants, long-sleeve shirt, beanie cap and thin gloves) for cold days
- A lightweight, simple rain jacket with a hood for wet days
- A reflective vest and possibly a headlamp for early morning or late evening runs in low light.
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