by Allison Macsas
Not too long ago, I wrote a blog post about escaping routine and incorporating more adventure into your everyday runs for those times when you aren’t lucky enough to be off exploring some distant land. Oh, those were the days! We’ve recently begun feeling lucky just to be able to leave the house, but getting out the door to run has become more challenging than ever for many. With races cancelled, trips uncertain, training plans irrelevant, running buddies forbidden and many trails & parks off-limits, how does one make themselves go put in the miles, much less preserve any sense of adventure?
It’s an important question, because getting outside and moving is probably more important right now than ever before, at least as far as our short-term mental health goes. Keeping a training schedule and engaging a coach are definitely recommended even without an impending race, but there are a lot of days between speed workouts! Below are some silly-yet-weirdly-effective tactics for creating accountability and building a sense of exploration around yet another solo run from home*, aimed to keep you sane and strong for that not-so-distant day when we can all roam free again:
*if you live somewhere that has asked you not to leave your house to run, please stay in. Maybe use your time to create an at-home version of these suggestions! Remember: there is a solution for every situation.
Meet a friend, v1: No, not in person. Pick a friend, set a start time and commit to a run distance or workout. At that time, check in with each other – bonus points for using video – say good morning and wish each other a nice run as you head out the door. Afterward, touch base again, give a virtual high-five and indulge in the usual post-run banter as you stretch or calves or hit the foam roller (hey, you have the time for that now!). It may not be quite as nice as actually having that person alongside you during the run, but it *does* let you become running buddies with anyone, regardless of whether your paces match up!
Meet a friend, v2: This one takes somewhat careful logistics, but projects and planning are good things to have in your life right now. With a friend, pick a landmark or a street within reasonable running distance from both of your houses and then agree on a time to “meet.” You won’t actually meet – 6 feet, remember! – but big smiles and shouted greetings as you pass by each other are big spirit boosters, plus the mutual commitment just got both of you out the door!
Bring a friend: Again… not in person. Bring your phone, put on some headphones and talk to your chosen running buddy as the miles fly by. This is a surprisingly decent substitute for the real thing, assuming that you are cautious and remain aware of your surroundings. Maybe just stick with a single earbud?
Make a scavenger hunt: Or better yet, use the one that I made for you! Print out or copy down this sheet of things/places, cut each one out and drop into a hat. Draw 3 or 4 or 10 of them and then head out on a mission to find (and ideally photograph) each one during your run. Don’t make a route, just go! This game is best played when you take photos of or selfies with your discoveries and then share with other friends who went out on their own hunts (note that this one works best for those logging urban miles).
Do a city tour, art walk or pub crawl: Identify well-known tourist attractions and take a tour on foot. Do some insta-research and locate great murals or public art, then go check them all out in person. Pick a few (or a lot) of your favorite local restaurants or bars or shops or studios or salons, then run by them and wave. Take a selfie in front them. Then, take it to the next level: Find out how they are making ends meet during shut-down and use your photos for sharing info and links with your social media networks!
If you try any of these tactics or think of others, let us know! Tag us (@roguexpeditions) on any run selfies or cool finds around your town so that we can help share the motivation with as many other runners as possible. Keep moving, keep your distance, keep on keeping on and don’t forget: you’re still allowed to smile and wave to each other out there - we could all use it :)