Monday, October 15, 2012

Motivation Monday

I am not training for anything right now and have to admit to enjoying that, but sometimes it makes it hard to find the motivation to run.  The thought of running up the road from my house especially bores me to tears.  I run from my house the most so it it natural that those are the routes I am most bored of.

To help keep things exciting right now I am working on running a new route at least once a week, which is actually pretty easy since there are lots and lots of places to run on the ranch.  For some reason, I have stuck mostly to the main roads, but lately have started to run on the smaller "roads" and cow trails. 

I am loving it.  Saturday's run was two miles of mostly uphill followed by three of mostly down and two more of slightly uphill, but most of it, was on "roads" and trails I haven't run on in a very long Most of it I probably have only rode on a horse, or been in some type of farm vehicle on.  Good memories on the run.   More like a trail run.

 Sometimes I just left the trail and ran through the sagebrush just for fun.  I think it drives Cola a little nuts when he can't predict just where I am going and I zig zag around.
 

I ran by some electric fence my sister, brother and I helped my Dad put in when I was high school.  I lost track of how many gates I passed through and fences I crossed. 

It has been such a dry summer, you can see in all the pictues how yellow and brown everything is.  The grass is all crunchy under my feet.  Here was a little green Cola and I found at the little creek bottom. Cola was more interested in the water.

A nice 7.3 mile loop.  Perfect weather and fresch scenery. Today I am not sure exactly what my route will be but I am planning to make it a new one too.  I have a bit of a loop in mind.

How often do you try to find a new running route?


22 comments:

  1. Wonderful scenery! I've become very bored with my routes lately and keep trying new areas as well. It definitely helps!

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  2. I love your views. I get super bored with the route leaving my house too. I find that if I just start even a few miles away, it makes such a huge difference. I rarely run anywhere interesting, but at least the houses look different. :-)

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  3. Beautiful route! And it's so much fun to shake things up. I sometimes head out the door not sure exactly where I'll go and make the decision as I move along. Variety is the spice of life!

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  4. I agree that finding new routes is key to keeping it fun. Even just doing my "usual" run backwards helps. And it's certainly fun when traveling to just go out and do *any* run. You are really lucky to have the ranch to run on! It's all new when you're on your feet--and the memories are fun, too.

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  5. I hear you on getting bored with the same routes. I usually stick to the same routes because I am pressed for time and know how long my routes will take me. I love running on new routes:)

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  6. Your ranch looks like a fantastic place to run! My shorter runs are usually routine routes, but I like to explore and try new routes on my long runs - maybe that is why I like them so much!

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  7. SO pretty! Man I love Montana. I love new running routes, I wish I had more wilderness in my hood though.

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  8. Looks like fun! I'm a little jealous I'm ready to not have something specific to train for. I usually go seek out my running club for motivation during those times.

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  9. I think Cola is such a great dog! You are so lucky to have each other. How is Rocky doing?

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  10. You farm reminds me of places I've driven past out in Montana. Gosh I miss that place. I want to drive out and bring my dog and run on the ranch! :)

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  11. I wish I had that many options! Well, I guess there are lots of options in and around the city, but not so many trail options, and very few hills, which I could definitely benefit from. Sounds like you're doing great for being in no-training-mode!

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  12. A new route always puts a zing in my step! Looks like you get some nice scenery where ever you go.

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  13. I am always looking for fun new running routes to check out. I like having the change of scenery- keeps things interesting. :-)

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  14. I wish like heck that I had some trails in my area because I love to run with nature, and running on the paved road doesn't feel too much like nature. :)

    I do love running down my dirt road with my dogs!

    I'm not sure I like at all the Cross Country course I have mapped out with the 7 hills!

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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  15. Great pictures of your running scenery! Because we only have one car and it's now still dark until around 8-8:30 I've been doing almost all of my outdoor runs from my house. I'd like to mix it up more, but that might have to wait for a few months.

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  16. I think I could run in that every single day! what a great motivator, the beautiful land you live in!

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  17. What a beautiful new running route you've found!

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  18. I am not training either but I actually crave running more! lol Nice job on your run!

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  19. I have to change things up or else I get bored and unmotivated to go out and run the same routes. I also change it up for safety reasons so that I am not running the same routes at the same times. You have some great scenery where you live. I am not sure if I would ever get tired of that.

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  20. I try to vary my runs, both in the city and on the trails. It helps me to find new things in my neighborhood and new great trails in the hills! Plus it keeps boredom at bay.

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  21. Your pictures make me want to come run in Montana! It looks so much more interesting than MD :)

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