Play Run to to Keep You Motivated During Your Workout
The secret to running is to forget that you are running. When you’re running on the pavement, you have to be willing to fool yourself in order to stay motivated (for example, with these mental running hacks ). Runners of all skill levels can benefit from the gamification of their workouts, and the TikTok “run while” challenge is a great way to turn an ordinary run into a heartbreaking “I Spy” game. Here’s how the run-bye game works and why you should try it the next time you’re afraid to run.
How to play the game “run bye bye”
“Run until you see the car being towed.” This comment led to a run in this TikTok in which @yaboyruns completed a 4.4 mile workout.
The run-bye game is simple. You select the crosshair and then run until you see it. Of course, part of the fun for viral TikTok is that runners have no idea how far they can go, but don’t let that scare you. As a slow runner, I assure you that the game could be much more accessible.
For example, I usually use the “run to” game not before a run, but towards the end of it. Thus, I force myself to go a little further than I might otherwise have gone. Whenever I feel like I’m close to finishing, I change the conditions of my workout to a “run until” game. Some of the rules I’ve been using over the past few weeks should work as long as:
- Finally, a runner in a yellow shirt walks past me.
- I see someone holding an iced drink.
- I pass by the barbershop.
- These pigeons are running.
- I hear the car blaring with music.
Another beauty of this game is that it makes you free from playing with numbers. Instead of being nervous about minutes and miles, you can slow down and appreciate your surroundings.
Takeaway
A tree, a road sign, a friendly face – whatever checkpoint you choose, be sure to run to it. Once you reach this milestone, you can afford to stop running. You might be surprised how often you find yourself skipping one checkpoint to create the next one. Sometimes the game of “run bye” is just the difference between a three mile run and a three and a half mile run, but for me those half miles matter.
If you’re not ready for the “run until then” game, here are a few more little hacks to take your mind off the number game:
- Run with friends.
- Replace music with podcasts or listen to a new album.
- Repeat the last argument you had in your head until you win.
- Name all the presidents of the United States, Spanish verb conjugations, or some sports statistics.
- Explore a new running route.
- Add some zombies .
Whatever mental game you play, the philosophy behind running is the same: take it slow , let your mind wander, and you might even start to enjoy running .