BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Plan a Running Adventure

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog

Now let’s get started by talking about running adventures. Now if that has you reflecting back on what you did over the 4th of July weekend, that’s awesome. This is a great chance to remember the feeling of doing something new and building on it by looking for new opportunities to experience more running adventures.

This was something I was thinking about yesterday while out running in a new place due to attendance at a work conference. My original plan, on the advice of the young lady who checked me into my hotel, was to drive to a nearby lake and run around the trail. But when I got into my car early in the morning and put the address into the GPS, I realized that the time it would take to get to that lake (which was longer than what I was told) and the time it would take to get back would not allow me to get in a sufficient run. So I smiled, put by key in my pocket, and headed out to see what I could find.

Initially, I found myself running along a sidewalk adjacent to a busy roadway, which was disconcerting to my peace to say the least. So I threw up a flare prayer and headed in a direction where I was certain there would be a housing district or two. And I was not disappointed. I ran by a golf course which led me to a plethora of connecting neighborhoods with sprawling yards, mature trees, a few small ponds, singing birds, and even a few deer that I caught munching on the shrubbery. The best part? It was quiet!

It was a great running adventure to say the least because everything was new and everything was fresh. I found that it put a pep in my step, literally. So much so that I'm actually looking forward to my run today and the remaining days I'll be staying at the hotel. Running somewhere new sure takes the monotony out of running in the same place day after day. 

And this is exactly why it’s a great idea to plan new adventures. 

Think about it this way…

Every runner knows the feeling. You tie your shoes, step out your front door, and turn down the exact same sidewalk you’ve run hundreds of times before. You know every crack in the pavement, every tree, and exactly when the hill starts to burn. Routine builds consistency, but it can also breed monotony.

As a running coach, I often see athletes (including myself) hit a mental plateau. When running starts to feel like a chore rather than a release, the best remedy isn’t necessarily running less—it’s changing where you run.

So, the next time you travel out of town for work, family visits, or a vacation, you shouldn't leave your running shoes at home. View being in a new area not as a disruption to your training schedule, but as a blank canvas. Exploring new paths is one of the most exciting ways to break up running monotony and inject fresh joy into your miles. For real!

On that note consider this....

Why You Should Explore New Paths

Destroys Mental Fatigue: New sights, sounds, and terrains stimulate your brain, making long miles fly by much faster.

Builds Physical Resilience: Running on unfamiliar trails, rolling hills, or different surfaces forces your stabilizer muscles to adapt, making you a stronger runner.

Offers Authentic Sightseeing: You can see more of a city in a 45-minute morning run than you ever could staring out a tour bus window.

How to Find the Best Paths in a New Town

You don't have to wander aimlessly like I like doing to find a great route. Use these tools to plan ahead:

Heatmaps: Use apps like Strava or Garmin Connect to view "heatmaps." These show you exactly where the local runners actually run.

Segment Explorers: Look up popular running segments online to find well-maintained bike paths, local parks, or pedestrian-friendly bridges.

Local Run Shops: Drop into a local running store or check their website. The staff can point you to the hidden gems and regular community routes.

Smart Safety Tips for Unfamiliar Territory

Exploring is exciting, but safety is always the top priority. Keep these rules in mind before you head out:

Share Your Live Location: Use your phone or running watch to share your live location with a family member or friend back home before you start.

Know the Turf: Ask hotel staff or your host about areas to avoid, wildlife hazards, or tricky terrain before you head out. This is how I found out about the lake and that the area I was in was a safe place to venture out into.

Stay Aware: Leave the noise-canceling headphones in your bag. Keep one ear open or use bone-conduction headphones so you can hear traffic, cyclists, and your surroundings. I use an external clip on speaker that's also a great option.

Run Early: Exploring in daylight is always safer and makes navigation much easier than running through an unfamiliar town in the dark.

Go Explore

Running is a gift, and it is a unique way to experience the world. The next time you pack your bags, look forward to the new paths waiting for you. You might just return home with a completely renewed passion for your daily miles.

And there you have it friends! Life is an adventure made even more exciting by the paths running will take you. So, make it your goal to get out and run in new places. You can start by participating in the BPFS Recycle Run taking place this Saturday. It's free, fun, and a great jumpstart to adventure! 

Happy Running!