by Michelle Wilkinson

Created on: July 09, 2009

Jogging should not be a chore as when it becomes something you have to do rather than want to do, you are much more likely to stop doing it altogether, particularly because running can take a lot out of you. You therefore need to be committed to running on a regular basis, and once you manage to make it a habit you can really start to appreciate the endorphin-rush which a good run produces. Even so, you can still get bored with running and lose motivation if you don't mix up your routine a little bit and try to make your jogging experience a pleasurable, if tiring, experience.

If you're the kind of person who prefers to run indoors, away from the elements and without having to guess the number of miles you've ran or calories you've burned, the treadmill is obviously a good investment when you use it a lot. However, without the passing scenery and people to keep you alert it can be incredibly boring, and so you need to find ways to liven up your jog. You could watch television or listen to music, especially if it has a fast beat, so that you can get your work out whilst also keeping your mind occupied. Even if you prefer running outdoors listening to music can still be an excellent way to keep yourself moving to a rhythm, but you have to be selective in what you listen to if you want to speed up.

Running outdoors offers you a multitude of routes, covering different distances and terrains, and so you are unlikely to get bored if you choose to run to different places throughout the week. You might be tempted to run the same way each day because it is familiar to you, and so you know the distance and how long it takes, but if you do you might find yourself getting bored of running. Finding long hills to run along, as well as through fields and woodland can keep your mind interested as well as putting your body through its paces.

You can make jogging fun again by doing it alongside other people. You could therefore join a running club and if you have other people of a similar ability you will be able to talk and make friends, whilst you might find your competitive nature taking over, making you push harder. You may even find yourself agreeing to participate in competitions, which will act as a real incentive to work on your fitness and get jogging more frequently.

If the thought of 'rewarding' yourself with a faster time and a medal doesn't appeal to you, you could always reward yourself after a jog with a nice meal or snack, as you'll need to eat anyway to help repair your muscles, but knowing you have something nice to get back to can motivate you to move quicker than you otherwise would.

Jogging makes you feel good and so is naturally enjoyable, but even the most dedicated runner can find themselves lacking in motivation and feeling tired, and so it is up to you to add a little spice to your routine to get you up and running again. For some people this can be as simple as just taking a day off - you might be a bit more adventurous though!

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