Although fall racing season has started, the weather gods haven't necessarily gotten the message. It hit 30 degrees in Calgary on September 7th — after my 12K run I
felt utterly depleted to the point where I thought the coming cooler temperatures might not be so bad. So thirsty...
My dehydration aside, autumn is a great time of year for runners, with races of varying lengths all over the country. To find one near you, check out
Canadian Running's
race finder or
this list from Running Room.
Here are five ways to up your enjoyment factor with running this fall:
1. Say, “Hey, do this race with me.”
Signing up for a race can be
highly motivating if your desire to run is lacking, or if you just want to have some fun.
And it can be even more fun it you get a friend involved. Get Googling — find a race that is about a month away, and get a running pal to do it with you. You can decide to train a bit harder for it, or not. The whole idea is just to factor in some more fun, which is why when you’re looking for a race to enter, consider picking something with a theme or a fundraiser. I’ve done a few
fundraising runs and they’re a riot, and you're also helping a good cause.
2. Spend some money
This is where the “fabulous” part comes in.
Remember, “fall” goes all the way up to December 20th, by which time it may start getting a bit cold. Is your wardrobe prepared?
I’m a big fan of having the right tools for the job, and there is nothing wrong with
spoiling yourself a little with some nice new running clothes. Looking good in some high-performance gear can be motivating.
I got a new running jacket for my birthday and am looking forward to trying it out. The old one was okay, but this new one is black and red and looks sporty. It also has a pocket for my iPod. Come on, cold weather!
Also, know that continuing to
run outside as the weather turns cold is actually far more motivating than moving indoors to a treadmill. If you have the proper gear, you won’t have any excuses not to do it.
3. Join a group
There are lots of different options for this, but a good place to start is to inquire at your local running store. Why should you do it? Well, why not? It creates a regularly scheduled group of like-minded people who get together for presentations and runs. You can make new friends, learn interesting stuff, and have a good time.
They can also serve to push you to a new level. If you’re stuck at the 5K level, they have 10K clinics. Want to run a half marathon? There are groups for that too. Dare to tackle a marathon? Better join a marathon group.
4. Explore new horizons
Do you keep running the same routes over and over? Get a map and go explore. It’s time to tap into a bit of that thirst for adventure and check out some new territory, but also remember to be safe. You can bring a friend, which can be of the large-toothed canine variety. At the very least, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.
5. Give interval training a try
I’ve written about interval training more than once in my
LA Times column, once to bust the
myth that it burns more calories than steady pace running, and another time to
explain what it really is for.
You need to be careful if you’re new to interval training — it can be punishing, and I don’t advise doing it more than twice a week. There are some benefits to running intervals, though. One is that it can make you faster and train the “extended sprint” energy systems in your body that you may not usually train, and another is that you get to run fast.
Remember being a kid and how fun it was to run fast. Channel that feeling. Be a kid again.
James S. Fell, MBA, is a certified strength and conditioning specialist in Calgary, AB. He writes the column “In-Your-Face Fitness” for the Los Angeles Times and consults with clients on strategic planning for fitness and health. Get a free metabolism report at Body For Wife. Email James at james@bodyforwife.com.