Marathon training doesn’t have to be boring! Try these 6 fun ways to make long runs more exciting, stay motivated, and add a little whimsy to your training plan. Ready to make running more fun? Let’s go!
Key Takeaways
- Marathon training can be fun and imaginative by adding whimsy to your routine.
- Embrace playfulness and spontaneity to elevate mundane tasks during training runs.
- Incorporate themed runs, exciting hydration, and unique fueling options for a more enjoyable experience.
- Change up your running routes and create engaging playlists to keep motivation high.
- Celebrate milestones and make long runs an adventure to enhance the overall training experience.
This post about adding whimsy to marathon training contains affiliate links. This means I get a commision on eligible purchases (at no additional cost to you).
Recently I saw a post on Instagram about ways women add more whimsy to their lives and it was so enjoyable. The pure genius of how simple yet imaginative their responses left me in awe. It made me wonder, how could I incorporate some playfulness to my routine? Where could I add some whimsy to my life?
Here’s the original post to get a feel for the vibes:
Key Topics Included in this Post
What is Whimsy Exactly?
Whimsy is described as a playful, lighthearted sense of imagination that makes the ordinary feel magical. It’s about embracing spontaneity, finding joy in the little things, and seeing the world through a more curious, enchanted lens.
Whimsy is a Mindset
Whimsy can be a mindset: choosing to romanticize your morning coffee, jumping in puddles instead of avoiding them, or adding a fun monologue to daily routines just because it makes you smile. It’s the art of making life feel a little more like a storybook, full of unexpected delights and small, happy surprises.
The trend around being more whimsical is all about embracing playfulness, spontaneity, and small joys in everyday life. It elevates simple moments and adds a bit of fun or magic to mundane tasks. It adds a thing of beauty to otherwise ordinary moments.
Do I Have a Bit of Whimsy?
I started thinking about the ways I make my own life less mundane and realized I do have a bit of whimsy. I love drinking sparkling water in fun, Golden Girls wine glasses (Rose and Sophia live with me, while Dorothy and Blanche live with my college roommates).
Marathon Training, But Make It Whimsical
This trend inspired me to consider how I could add even more whimsy to my life. If you’re like me and marathon training (or training for any endurance event) and it becomes your entire personality, then this post is for you.
I’m currently training for the London Marathon, and while it’s a fun adventure, it can feel like a grind. I wondered, what if marathon training could feel more fun and add joy to the experience? Adding whimsy to marathon training seemed like a logical escalation. Instead of just logging miles and checking boxes we could make this playful and imaginative. Plus my race is happening in England and that’s basically the origin of most magical stories, so it’s just fun.
Related Post: Looking for tips to manifest the perfect marathon race day? Check out this guide with manifestation techniques to create your perfect race day!
Tips to Make Marathon Training More Fun
Whether you want to stay motivated (if you’re training through winter, put your hands up!), break the monotony, or just bring more joy to your long runs, here are six creative ways to make marathon training more enjoyable.
Add Playfulness to Your Long Runs
One of the easiest ways to make training runs feel special is by giving them a fun theme. By incorporating themes into your runs, you can break up the monotony and make your runs more enjoyable.
- Dress Up for a Run – Try wearing a themed outfit, like all pink for a Barbie Run, colorful socks, or a costume just for fun. Have friends join you and see who has the wildest or most creative idea.
- Wear Glitter “Just Because” – Try running with glitter on a non-race day for funsies. This glitter is my top choice for a bold option because it can withstand sweat and humidity. I also like this one from Unicorn Snot because it’s really subtle and pretty. If you prefer freckles (and a uniform application), try this freckle temporary tattoo option. Find more race day essentials, check out these race day favorites.
- Rename Your Long Runs with Adventurous Titles – Calling it “Week 12 Long Run” is boring. Try something like “The Quest for the 20-Mile Treasure” or “The Sunset Sprint” to turn each distance into an adventure.
- Plan a Themed Route – Try planning a run to various donut shops (my friend, Jen, and I ran to multiple hot dog stands and sampled Chicago hot dogs). The ideas are endless and really inspiring to your friends.
Make Hydration & Fueling More Exciting
Who says fueling for your run has to be blah? Spice it up by adding something different to your nutrition plan (during or after the run).
- Sip Like a Pro – Instead of drinking from a standard glass, pour your electrolyte drink into a wine glass or cute tumbler for after your run to make it feel fancy. Freeze fun shaped ice cubes using silicone molds, like roses or this cat mold.
- Bring a Fun Running Snack – Instead of sticking to the same gels, switch things up with a treat like Nerds Gummy Clusters. Remember Cosmic Brownies from your childhood? Turns out they make excellent running fuel.
Pro Tip: If you’re worried that adding something new will upset your stomach, plan your route closer to home or plan laps around a bathroom location.
Ways to Change Up Your Running Route to Stay Motivated
Running the same loop over and over can get repetitive. Try something new and make your run a little more fun!
- Do a “Coin Flip Run” – Flip a coin at each stoplight to decide if you turn left or right. It turns your run into an unpredictable adventure.
- Do Strava Art With Your Running Route – If you can turn your route into a drawing from the street view or spell a word, have fun with it! Keep in mind to hide your starting and finishing points if you share your maps on Strava for your safety..
- Run at Sunrise – A sunrise run can feel magical, just keep in mind basic female runner safety like wearing reflective clothing, carrying a personal alarm or having a friend join you.
- Make Running a Game – Create a Running Adventure Bingo Card and add fun to some of your training milestones. Get more tips for creating a bingo card for your goals with this post.
Make a Marathon Training Playlist That Feels Like a Movie Soundtrack
Music can completely change how a run feels. Some of the best running playlists are based on a theme or genre.
- Themed Running Playlists – Try a playlist based on a movie theme (like 80s montage music) or run to a soundtrack that makes you feel like you’re in an epic training scene.
- Listen to a Broadway Musical – I got advice to listen to a Broadway cast recording of my favorite musicals once and it legit. I loved running to Rent and Hamilton. There are so many great options.
- Run with an Audiobook or Immersive podcast – Running through your neighborhood while listening to a fantasy romance novel? It’s your neighborhood but now it’s magical.
Track Your Progress in a Fun and Creative Way
Marathon training is long, and you don’t have to wait for the race to celebrate. Acknowledge your progress along the way with milestone wins!
- Make a Creative Marathon Announcement – You can keep things exciting by announcing your next marathon in a fun way. Maybe it’s “save the date” cards to announce your charity fundraiser (include a QR code with your donation link for easy linking) or giving a gift to friends to share your race days plans. This a fun way to make the whole experience special.
- “Halfway There” Celebration – When you hit the halfway point in training, treat yourself! Maybe it’s a post-run cupcake, inviting your friends to brunch, or an iced coffee reward. The checkpoints on the way to the race should be celebrated as much as you celebrate on race day.
- Make a Training Countdown – Use a scratch-off race countdown or mark off training days in a training log (with stickers for funsies) to visualize progress.
Related Post: I annouced my 13th marathon in a very Taylor Swift-style way by creating clues and sharing them over social media and my newsletter list. I called it Run. Wander. Where? and it was one of the biggest highlights from this blog.
Turn Long Runs into a Mini Travel Adventure
Instead of running the same route every weekend, turn long runs into an experience.
- Plan a Post-Run Treat Destination – Run to a bakery, coffee shop, or brunch place you’ve never tried before.
- Find a New Scenic Route – Look for local murals, parks, or nature trails to make your long run feel like an adventure. Sometimes just trying a different location can make things a little more exciting. When I trained for a DIY marathon in 2020, I planned most of my routes to run to (and selfie with) murals I found on Instagram, and it was so fun. I found so many cool murals and explored new routes I would have never thought of in normal circumstances.
Related Post: I was inspired to look for new murals as part of my first run streak fundraiser. Get tips for how to host a run streak as a marathon fundraiser!
Something Magical to Consider
Marathon training doesn’t have to be all about mileage and pace. Adding a little bit of whimsy, whether it’s themed runs, fun fueling, or destination long runs, can make training more enjoyable and keep you motivated.
How do you plan on adding whimsy to marathon training? Have you ever added something fun or unusual to your training? Let me know in the comments!
Learn a little about me and follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. And stay connected by subscribing to my newsletter.
Leave a Reply