Keep On, Keepin' On

Don't you just love those days when you head out for your run and everything seemes to have come together?  You feel great, the running is effortless and you feel strong and capable.  Everything is just perfect.  I definitely love those days.... when they do happen (and don't worry, they do). For me, at least, I have to also go through a whole bunch of okay runs and not-so-great runs in between those shining moments.  The thing is those awesome runs seem to fly by but getting through the not-so-great ones can seem like an eternity.  Having a few tricks up your sleeve can help you get through those runs and maybe even help make them tolerable, if not even okay.  Different things are going to work better or worse for different people but here are a few of my favorites: 

This isn't me but it's what i imagine I might
look like when the cars make room! Image via

* Turn that frown upside down!  I do most of my running on local roads and I really appreciate it when the oncoming cars move over and give me a little extra space (and not just the 3 foot berth required by law).  So, I decided to make sure to say thanks with a wave and if I'm not too tired, a big smile too.  So, yes, I am that crazy broad waving to all the cars that pass while I'm running, but, at least, now you know why :)

*Counting cars. Or mailboxes or minivans or trucks or rednecks or lawn ornaments....  You name it - just look at your surroundings and start focusing on that (rather than on how freakin' uncomfortable you are!).  Before you know it, you'll be done!

*Taking bets.  I usually run with music so I've been known to take a guess at where I'll be when I reach a particular point in the music...as in, I bet I'll make it to that 4th telephone pole by the end of that song.  Most times, I overshoot and don't quite reach my guess before the song's up but it's a great distraction nonetheless! 

Ok, so you might be thinking, "What a freak " right about now.  Well, ok, you might not be wrong.  But, clearly, I'm not the only one in the world who has little games to get through their runs either. 

*By the numbers.  I have a friend who counts backwards from 100 when she's really slogging through a run.  Funny enough, during the last miles of her first full marathon, she passed by someone running and counting forwards to 100.  Backwards clearly is the way to go :)

So, what are your tricks for getting through a tough run? Share them here and tuck away a few ideas for when the blehs hit your run!