by Jennifer Williamson

Created on: April 21, 2009

Whether you are training for a distance event, or just enjoy long runs as part of recreational running, logging high mileage runs can be difficult. The key to avoiding long run burnout is being open to new ideas, people and places.

Running solo does appeal to a lot of runners, and many will tell you that it's a time that they use to clear their heads, sort out problems and rejuvenate themselves. While this may be true much of the time, when you start running longer distances, sometimes you run out of issues that need solving, and crave some company, or at the very least, a distraction.

Music can provide some temporary relief when long runs become tedious. Plugging along with your favorite running playlist can add a spring to your step when you might otherwise want turn around and head home. If music doesn't cut it, consider an audio book or a podcast on a topic that interests you. But always proceed with caution if you choose to run with music. Cars are not always mindful of their surroundings, so you need to be sure that you are. Otherwise, save the tunes for the treadmill.

Another option to break up the monotony of distance running is to recruit a running partner. Ideally, this person should run at a similar pace as you, so that you're not overexerting yourself to keep up. Similarly, you don't want a partner who runs too slow, keeping you from achieving any speed goals that you might have. However, when you find a match, the end result can improve the quality of your long runs. A running partner can be a great distraction when the miles get tough, and many times, your partner will push you harder than you might push yourself if you were running solo. There is also the added benefit of the accountability factor. If you know you are meeting your running partner at 7 AM on Saturday morning, odds are that you won't turn off the alarm and go back to sleep.

If you don't have success in finding a running partner, investigate joining a running club. Consider visiting a local running store and see what they have to offer. Some have morning or weekend group runs, which accommodate runners of different speeds and distance running abilities. A running group is a great source of camaraderie, and is a fun way to meet other runners, while making your own long runs more pleasant. Many cities have running organizations that contain great resources to be tapped by the running community.

Another way to make long runs a little easier and more enjoyable is to change your route. It's easy to get into a rut when you run the same routes, week after week. Consider purchasing a GPS running watch to make route changing virtually effortless, since it tracks your distance and gives you a great deal of freedom as a result. A fresh environment can make running feel "new" again, with different things to see and discover.

Finally, consider running some distance races, even if they're not part of your training program. You can enjoy regular, accessible water stops and the exciting group dynamic that races provide. Besides, the race environment always delivers a little extra adrenaline rush. Isn't that part of the reason we run in the first place?

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