Keep Running Fun: Simple Ways to Stay Excited About Every Run
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Running should never feel like a chore. The beauty of it is in the rhythm, the freedom, and the satisfaction of finishing. But let’s be honest—sometimes the routine gets stale, and that spark can fade. The good news? A few tweaks can make every run feel fresh, purposeful, and genuinely fun again.
Switch Up Your Route
Running the same circuit has its perks—you know the distance, the time it takes, and where every bump in the pavement is. But doing it over and over can get dull.
Your brain craves variety. That’s why taking a different path can reignite the excitement. Try weaving through a local park, heading out to a nature trail, or even exploring a new neighbourhood. Rural runners can discover hidden tracks and green trails, while city runners might enjoy weaving through unfamiliar streets.
If options feel limited, you don’t have to overcomplicate things—just flip your normal route and run it in reverse. Even subtle changes can give your mind and body something new to process. And if you’re up for a little adventure, consider driving or taking public transport to a fresh location every now and then. That one decision can turn a simple run into a mini escape.
Add a Game Element
Running doesn’t always have to be serious training—it can be play. Gamifying your runs keeps things light, while also helping you push a little harder.
Technology makes this easy. Apps like Strava and Runna let you track times, share routes, and even compare performance with friends or strangers around the globe. With GPS mapping, you can literally draw patterns or pictures with your route, turning exercise into art. Smartwatches also give instant feedback on pace, heart rate, and distance, which can spark small but motivating challenges.
But you don’t need fancy tech. Create a scavenger hunt list before your run: spot a postbox, a flowering tree, or someone walking their dog. Each sighting becomes a small victory, turning your run into a game that passes time without you even noticing.
Run With Friends
Running solo can feel therapeutic, but running with friends adds a whole new dimension. Accountability keeps you showing up, while conversation makes the miles fly by. Even when you’re not talking, just knowing someone is beside you can boost motivation.
If your current circle doesn’t run, widen your network. Parkrun is a brilliant way to find like-minded people, as are local running clubs or social groups that advertise online or at your community centre. The social bond often becomes the reason you lace up your shoes, and you’ll finish your runs not just physically healthier but mentally uplifted.
Create the Perfect Soundtrack
Sometimes the only thing standing between you and a strong finish is the right beat. Music has a way of setting rhythm, elevating mood, and pulling you through tough stretches.
Think about tracks that energise you. For many, that’s upbeat pop, dance, rock, hip-hop, or even bass-heavy electronic music. Streaming services make it easy with curated “running playlists,” but don’t let your soundtrack go stale. Rotate songs often so that each playlist feels fresh and motivating.
Of course, you don’t always need lyrics or heavy beats. Some runners prefer podcasts, audiobooks, or calming instrumental playlists that help them stay in flow. Experiment and find what works best for your pace and mindset.
Reward Yourself
Rewards don’t have to be extravagant—they just need to matter to you. Knowing there’s a little treat waiting at the end of a run can be enough to push you out the door and keep you moving.
Small milestones can be paired with small rewards: a hot shower, a soothing bath, or a cup of coffee at your favourite café. Bigger milestones—like hitting a personal best or sticking to a running streak—can be celebrated with something special, like new running shoes, a massage, or dinner out.
This positive reinforcement not only makes running more enjoyable, but it also builds long-term habits. Your brain begins to associate effort with pleasure, making it easier to stay consistent.
Keep Fun at the Heart of It
At the end of the day, running is about joy. When you keep things playful, varied, and rewarding, the discipline becomes natural. Every run, no matter how long or short, has the potential to lift your spirits.
Remember: the more fun you have, the more consistent you’ll be. And the more consistent you are, the better you’ll feel—physically, mentally, and emotionally. So don’t lose sight of the reason you started running in the first place: because it feels good.
Parkrun Feels Like Meditation to Me
It doesn’t matter whether you finish first, last, or somewhere in between—parkrun leaves you with the same feeling: pride, energy, and accomplishment.
For me, parkrun has become a form of meditation. I discovered it later in life while living with blood cancer, and it’s transformed not only my Saturdays, but my entire outlook on life.
Taking the First Step
My first parkrun was overwhelming. Being fragile, I worried I’d get knocked over by the faster runners. With my hearing aids and shortness of breath from my condition, I had to stay extra alert. Still, I completed the 5k—and even though I wasn’t fast, it didn’t matter. The sense of strength I felt after crossing that finish line kept me coming back.
Finding My Rhythm
What really motivated me was my daughter suggesting we try different parkrun events. At Stockley, I was one of the last finishers, but I loved the quieter paths and friendly atmosphere. The volunteers cheering us on, the photographers capturing smiles, and the overall encouragement lifted me through the course. Despite battling myeloma, which often causes fatigue and bone pain, I felt energized instead of drained.
From then on, I was hooked. I even swapped my early work shifts so I could make parkrun part of my weekly routine.
More Than Just a Run
Parkrun is free, inclusive, and pressure-free. You can walk, jog, or run—it doesn’t matter. What matters is the community. Over time, I’ve made genuine friends, and if I miss a week, people notice. They ask about me. They care. It feels like a family.
On difficult mornings when cancer makes it hard to move, I remind myself that as soon as I arrive, I’ll feel better. And I always do. Walking helps me forget the pain, and for that half hour, I feel on top of the world.
Healing Through Movement
For me, parkrun truly is meditation. I walk, I breathe, and I let the rhythm clear my mind. The encouragement from volunteers, the smiles from strangers, and even the small words of support when I wear my bright orange “Asian Women Run” T-shirt make me feel seen and valued.
One of my most memorable moments was at Richmond parkrun, finishing alongside the tail walker. Most participants had left, but every volunteer stayed, gathering together to cheer me across the line. Their joy and encouragement made me feel like I belonged, no matter my pace.
Looking Ahead
In the future, I hope to build up to jogging, to try more parkruns across the UK and maybe abroad, and to give back as a volunteer. Most importantly, I want to remain part of this community that has given me strength, confidence, and hope.
I am deeply grateful to parkrun. At a time when illness made me doubt I’d ever walk 5k again, parkrun helped me believe in myself. Every Saturday morning, I know I’m doing something good for my body and soul. It has made me happier, stronger, and more positive—proof that sometimes the smallest steps lead to the biggest changes.
Parkrun Feels Like Meditation for Me
Whether you come in first, finish last, or settle somewhere in between, the magic of parkrun is that the feeling at the end is always the same: a sense of pride, energy, and fulfillment.
For me, parkrun has become much more than exercise—it feels like a form of meditation. I stumbled into it later in life, at a time when I was already living with blood cancer, and it has reshaped both my weekends and my mindset.
My First Experience
When I showed up at my very first parkrun, I was nervous. Because of my illness, my body felt fragile, and I worried that one wrong step or a bump from a quicker runner could knock me over. With my hearing aids and my breath often short, I knew I’d have to be cautious. Still, I managed to make it through the 5 kilometers. I wasn’t anywhere near the fastest—but that didn’t matter. The sense of strength and achievement I felt at the finish line outweighed everything else. That was the spark that drew me back.
Discovering the Joy
My daughter was the one who encouraged me to explore more parkrun events, and I’m glad she did. At Stockley, I remember being among the last to finish. Yet instead of embarrassment, I felt joy—the quieter paths, the welcoming crowd, the smiles from volunteers, even the encouragement from photographers snapping pictures of participants along the way. Though myeloma often leaves me tired and aching, parkrun gave me the opposite effect: I felt lighter, motivated, and surprisingly energized.
From then on, I adjusted my life so I could attend more regularly. I even swapped early work shifts just to make sure Saturday mornings were free. That decision quickly became one of the best I’ve ever made.
Why Parkrun Is Special
Parkrun is completely free and open to everyone. There’s no pressure—whether you walk, jog, or run, you belong. Over time, I began to notice it wasn’t just about fitness; it was about people. I’ve built genuine friendships, and if I miss a week, others notice and check in. The kindness and support make it feel like a second family.
On mornings when cancer makes every movement heavy, I tell myself: just get to parkrun. And without fail, the moment I arrive, something shifts. My body feels lighter, the atmosphere lifts my spirits, and walking with others allows me to forget the pain for a while. Those 30–40 minutes of moving, breathing, and connecting are priceless.
Healing in Motion
This is why I say parkrun is my meditation. Each step, each breath helps me clear my mind. The cheers from volunteers, the nods from fellow participants, even small words of encouragement when I wear my bright orange “Asian Women Run” T-shirt—all of it makes me feel valued and seen.
One of my most cherished memories is from Richmond parkrun. That day, I crossed the finish line alongside the tail walker. Most of the runners had already gone, yet every single volunteer stayed. They clapped, cheered, and gathered to encourage me through the final meters. Their joy and support left me with tears in my eyes and the deepest sense of belonging I’ve ever felt.
Looking Forward
My hopes for the future are simple but meaningful: I want to keep attending parkrun, to build up my stamina so I can jog a little, to try new events across the UK and maybe even overseas, and eventually to give back by volunteering.
Parkrun has become a lifeline. At a time when my illness had me doubting whether I’d ever complete 5 kilometers again, it restored my belief in myself. Every Saturday, I know I’m doing something positive for both my body and my mind. It has lifted me, strengthened me, and made me more optimistic.
Parkrun has given me not just exercise, but hope. It has become proof that even small steps, taken steadily, can lead to life-changing transformations.
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