Even the most dedicated runners admit it: Running can be a bit . . . monotonous at times. “I feel the boredom before the long run sometimes,” says Peloton instructor Becs Gentry. “I assume the high mileage and steady pace is going to be dull.” So what convinces her to lace up anyways? Well, she’s found that with the right approach, the boredom she dreads never actually shows up.

Sure, running basically boils down to just putting one foot in front of the other over and over again. But there are plenty of ways to keep it fresh. Some are old-fashioned strategies runners have used for decades; others take advantage of today’s latest tech. No matter your style, here’s how to not get bored while running. 

How to Avoid Boredom on Long Runs

The next time you find yourself tempted to cut a run short—or skip it altogether—thanks to a case of the doldrums, try out one of these strategies. 

Take a Class

One of the easiest ways to turn running from a slog into something you actually look forward to is to have an instructor guide the way. On the Peloton Tread or Tread+, you can choose from nearly 200 on-demand running classes or join a live one that fits your schedule. You’ll get expert guidance and, ahem, running commentary while the belt automatically adjusts the speed and incline based on the instructor’s cues. Meanwhile, the screen taps into your competitive side: You’ll see when you set new personal records, and can check out the Leaderboard to find out how you stack up against other Peloton Members. (You’d be surprised how much motivation we can get out of chasing the stats of a total stranger.)

Listen to a Coach on the Go

Prefer some fresh air? Try an audio-guided run on the Peloton App so you can have a coach in your ear every step of the way. Listening to expert guidance on your pacing, form, and approach not only gives you a better run, but it can keep your mind from drifting off—and keep you from feeling like all you’re on your own out there.    

Change Up the Route and Terrain

Honestly, one of the great things about running is all the places it can take you. So use your miles to explore different neighborhoods, or choose a fun destination like a new bakery to run to. Although it can be easy to fall into the same running routine day after day, mix things up any time you find your typical setting feeling a bit stale. Bonus points if you switch between the treadmill, the road, and the trails to work in even more variety—both your body and your mind will thank you. 

Enjoy a Scenic Run

We get it. Sometimes you want to see someplace new on the run, but don’t actually have the time (or cooperating weather conditions) to make that happen. Enter: Scenic runs. With Peloton Scenic classes, you can roam through locales like Hawaii or Big Sur with responsive video that moves as fast as you stride. It’s like sticking a mini virtual vacation in the middle of your everyday life.

Switch Gears

Sure, there’s a place for slow and steady runs in every good training plan. But changing up the pace with an interval workout can help break your runs into smaller, more manageable chunks. Even better? You get to feel the thrill of hitting higher gears. If you don’t want to join a class where an instructor cues you, program your own speed sessions where you play with different paces. Just limit these workouts to once or twice a week max since they can be tougher on the body.

Enlist Some Friends

If you’re a social butterfly who finds being stuck with yourself for miles is what makes running tedious, well, don’t do it alone! Invite a friend to join you for a Peloton class. Join a local running club. Heck, bring your pup along for a few miles. Having some buddies in tow can get you out of your own head and—more likely than not—make that finish line feel a little less far away.  

Take Advantage of Your Tread’s Entertainment Options

To get through winter long runs at home, Becs relies on a not-so-secret weapon: watching TV. “I am a huge fan of doing that,” she says. “It feels like time—and distance—pass by very fast!” With an All-Access Membership on the Peloton Tread and Tread+, you can stream shows from apps like DirectTV and YouTubeTV, watch a game on NBA League Pass, or even read a book through Kindle. There’s no shame in embracing whatever kind of entertainment gets you through your miles.

Actively Pay Attention 

Sometimes, the key to a better run is to really engage with the details of what you’re doing. Instead of tuning out, try tuning in. “Take stock of the environment you are running through if you’re outside. Look at the people,” Becs says. “If it's a regular route for you, play a game of trying to notice new things.” You can also intentionally focus inwards, considering how it feels to move your body through space or push air in and out of your lungs, for instance. “Getting out of your head and into the run is a great way to avoid boredom,” Becs says. 

Listen to a New Playlist

Multiple studies have shown that listening to music can improve our running performance, revving us up when it’s time to throw down or helping calm us when we’re ready to recover. It’s also a game changer for those of us who run for the vibes. The right song at the right time can transform a humdrum jog into an adventure or a dance party, or make you feel like the star of an epic movie montage. Create your own set list to jam out to, or take advantage of something designed specifically for endurance athletes.  

. . . Or Try a Podcast or Audiobook

Some runners enjoy filling their brains with interesting new facts to stay engaged. “If I’m going to listen to anything, I prefer to learn while I move,” Becs says. She’ll turn on something like The Rich Roll Podcast when she finds she needs an extra dose of distraction on the run. “You are essentially captive in the time of your workout, and exercising your brain too is a great use of the time.”

Practice Being Alone With Your Thoughts

Ironically, Becs finds that one of the best strategies to beat boredom on long runs is to . . . simply run—no headphones, no TV, no distractions. She actively practices running alone in silence as a way “to train my brain to be stronger when it comes to boredom and overcome the fear of being alone with my thoughts for longer than I would like,” she says. “By doing this, I find that I am able to focus on ‘me-time,’ whether that is reorganizing my thoughts [or] going through my to-do list.” Although it can feel uncomfortable at first, learning to run without anything to entertain you can teach your mind to tolerate that challenge the same way you’re teaching your body to handle the difficulty of running hard. 

Swap Running for Another Workout

Don’t be afraid to take a break from running altogether. “If you try all this and still feel bored when you run, perhaps it’s a sign to try a new form of movement,” Becs says, adding, “We have lots you can try at Peloton!” If you give running a rest for a while, you just might find yourself starting to crave it again—or finding a new activity you enjoy more. 

How to Switch Things Up With Running Workouts to Stay Motivated

On their own, it’s unlikely that any one of these strategies will be your sole solution to forever banishing boredom while running. (Yes, even watching “Love Is Blind” every time you run will eventually get old.) The key is working in all kinds of variety—in routes, workouts, and training partners, Becs says.  

One of the best ways to make sure that happens is to sign up for a race—or set your own goal—and then follow a structured training program (like any of the Peloton Running programs!) designed by a running coach. Instead of being on your own to figure out which workouts to do, you’ll get a weekly schedule that will help to improve your running—and keep you engaged. “Having a training plan will keep it interesting,” Becs says. “You will be waiting to see what workout you have and how to achieve within it.” 

The Takeaway

Just because you sometimes get bored on the run doesn’t mean you’re a bad runner. You just need more ways to spice things up. That might look like tuning out to a podcast, meeting up with friends, following the mile-by-mile guidance of a coach, or reframing your run as a moving meditation. Remember: There’s no wrong way to be a runner. So why not take advantage of anything that helps you enjoy your miles a little more?