I found this post online today. I do most of my running alone and all of these suggestions ring true. I’ve added my own two cents (in green) from personal experience. Thanks for writing this Christine. Enjoy!
Originally posted:
Tuesday April 14, 2009
By Christine Luff, About.com Guide to Running/Jogging
Do you usually run by yourself? If you do, it’s important to take safety precautions and to also arm yourself with strategies for beating boredom. Here are some tips for solo running:
- Let someone know where you’re running. Before you head out for your run, make sure you let someone else know where you’re running. Also tell them approximately how long you’ll be running for. I’ve also been known to Twitter my intentions and include GPS coordinates. (coordinates were a little off, but hey, at least I was announcing my intentions.)
- Try some self-talk. If you’re running alone and struggling, give yourself a pep talk. Tell yourself that you’re not physically tired — you’re just mentally fatigued a baby and you can push through it. Say to yourself things like, “I’ll have some water in five minutes — that will make me feel better.” If you’re doing your longest run ever, remind yourself how proud you’ll feel when you’re finished. I run with a wrist bracelet with the words “strong and courageous” that signifies the battle one of my best friend’s sons is having with leukemia. When I’m really hurting, I give it a tug to remind myself that I could be struggling with much more than just trying to catch my breath.
- Carry identification the essentials. Put your driver’s license and your medical insurance card (in case you get injured) in your pocket or wear an ID tag on your shoe. If you’re wearing an ID tag or bracelet, make sure it has an emergency contact number on it. I also stuff a $5 bill in my pocket or in my shoe. You never know when a bottle of water or need for aspirin progresses from a “nice to have” to a “must have.”
- Mix it up with a random interval workout. To beat boredom, do a fun interval workout. Pick a landmark in the distance, such as a tree or a stop sign, and pick up the pace until you get to it. After you recover for a minute or two, choose another landmark and speed up again. If you’re not opposed to running with your iPod, and it’s safe to do so, create a unique mix that will last just about the length of your run. It’s amazing how quickly I seem to finish my runs when I’ve had an earful of Metallica or Beastie Boys.
- Be visible. It’s easy to miss a single runner on the road, so make sure you’re visible. If you’re running in the early morning or at night, even at dusk, wear white, yellow, or orange clothes. Also, make sure you have reflective gear on. Headlamps provide visibility as well. If you feel silly with a flashlight protruding from your head, wrap it around your waist. If aimed correctly, this will give you better light directed toward the ground, too.
