The Boston Marathon and Fun With Running

How many times have you tried to develop an exercise routine but failed, simply because it’s just really boring? You might have tried running in the past, but abandoned your efforts due to sheer lack of willpower.

Developing and sticking to an exercise routine can be tough. But making your routine a family activity, and having a specific goal in mind does wonders for your motivation. If you’re looking for a fun, healthy, activity that gets the whole family outdoors, why not train together for the Boston Marathon?

Why Should I Be Running?

Cardiovascular exercise is a fundamental part of building a healthy lifestyle. But why is it so important? Research shows that just 10 minutes of running a day can drastically lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Did you know that running can also prevent knee and back pain as you get older? By integrating running into your daily routine, you’re less likely to experience arthritis and back problems that come with age.

These wonderful benefits aside, it is also particularly good for maintaining a healthy weight and building fitness levels. Just make sure to check in with a healthcare professional if you suffer from any chronic injuries.

Running is not only great for your physical health but does incredible things for your mental well-being too. Running is great for upping your energy and boosting your mood. It helps maintain focus and has even been known to help you sleep better.

How To Make Running Fun

Running can get lonely and monotonous. It can also be discouraging when you can’t see an immediate improvement. But there are some proven tricks to making running fun. These include setting realistic and specific goals to work towards and getting your whole family involved!

Make A Marathon Goal

Saying that running is good for your health just isn’t enough motivation to build a habit. You need to be able to set a realistic goal and hold yourself accountable for it.

That’s where marathons come into the equation. Signing up for a marathon like the Boston Marathon is the perfect way to set a running goal.

Marathons are great events, as they usually provide a few distances to choose from, depending on your fitness. If you’re still a newbie, sign up for a half marathon to get a feel for it. As you build your confidence, you can work your way up to a full marathon.

Marathons are also great for the whole family. They’re social events where people gather to cheer you on and show support. There’s usually an air of excitement and encouragement that makes the whole process a lot easier. Plus, they’re outdoors which makes for a safer COVID-friendly family activity. Even your elderly loved ones can be involved, by enrolling them to keep track of everyone’s progress, and acting as cheerleaders. Taking part in family activities reduces the need to hire home care aides for companion care.

Train Together

Now that you’ve set a specific goal for a specific date, it’s time to make running a family activity. This makes exercising less lonely as you have other people working with you towards your goal. It’s also a great bonding activity, as you cheer each other on and spend quality time together during training.

It’s essential that kids spend some time outdoors to get exercise and fresh air. If you’re doing it together as a family, you’re setting a great example and encouraging your kids to lead healthy lifestyles. Plus, you can hold each other accountable. It’s harder to skip a training session when the whole family is relying on you to show up.

Running Fun With Family: How Should I Start?

In order to make running a family activity, you have to start slow. If your kids are younger, or you’re starting from a low level of fitness, start with very short distances. Once you’re able to run a short distance without struggling, you can increase your training miles.

You should also vary your training activities so that you don’t get stuck in a rut. You might run around the block one week and do a trail run the next. Treadmill running can also be a good addition to your training schedule.

But you might be wondering how to make treadmill running fun. The secret here is to build a great playlist and focus solely on running to music. It’s recommended that you don’t listen to music if you’re running around the block as your eyes and ears should be aware of any traffic.

The only drawback to running or most other exercises is that you’ll end up with a lot of sweaty clothes to wash — just kidding. You can always use a nearby laundry service to take care of it.

Go for The Boston Marathon

All it takes to make running fun is making it a family activity, and setting a realistic goal. If you live in Massachusetts, the Boston Marathon is the perfect event to aspire to. This historic running event attracts thousands of visitors every year and is a celebrated sporting activity for the whole family.

If you’re looking for some more excellent family-related activities and tips and tricks, or you have any questions about our site, follow our blog!