The Perils of Running Outdoors

baseball cards, running, outdoorsI don’t know why but I prefer to run inside, on the treadmill, rather than outside. Perhaps it is the traffic, the stop lights or the uneven surfaces? Or it could be that I like being able to multi-task and the gym allows me to watch three different news channels while listening to music.

This can be distracting and it allows me to get mentally lost while running (lose track of time). However, this does not really prepare anyone for the perils of running outdoors. So what can be done to create outdoor inspiration? Thinking out loud, here are a few ideas:

  1. Find a place with enjoyable scenery
  2. Run in your birthday suit
  3. Run with a partner (peer pressure)
  4. Drink five beers and go for it
  5. Try trail running (speaking about uneven surfaces)
  6. Steal baseball cards from a convenience store and then run for it
    1. Combine with #4 by taking alcohol also

Wow, thinking out loud is dangerous. Good thing I have a moral filter otherwise my outdoor running career might include a warrant. What do you do to maintain your outdoor inspiration?

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About the Author

rstanley

Robert is a technology consultant, father and military veteran. He has renewed interest in health and fitness after an extended technology safari that distracted him from the importance of health. After turning 30 , now 36, he began to wonder how long he could remain glued to a computer screen before he would need to make drastic changes in his personal habits. Long hours and energy drinks just don't cut the mustard at age 36. Hence the shift in focus and much needed fitness routine.

2 Responses to “ The Perils of Running Outdoors ”

  1. I like to run inside also. I think it mostly has to do with the convenience of a water bottle holder and a dashboard telling me my progress. I do, however, really like to run outdoors during a race with a big crowd of people. Having done this a few times, I use this memory to motivate when I run outside for training. My advice would be to run a couple of races so that you can tap into that inspiration and motivation during your training days.

  2. Thanks for the comment and the advice!

    Robert Stanley’s last blog post..Training Day Seven – Road Again

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