Route Planning - aka How To Prevent Boredom On a Run.

At some point, the loop you run around your home just won't cut it. Either you'll get really bored, or you'll just need to run farther. Whatever your case may be, mapping out a route is something a runner will eventually have to do.

Some of the more popular free tools for route planning include Google Maps (specifically its "distance between two points via walking" feature), On the Go Maps, and GMap Pedometer. Smartwatch apps also provide you with tools to map out routes and conveniently load them onto your watch. There are also paid options like Strava. Premium users have the perk of creating routes, with the added value of accessing heat maps showing where people are running. This is handy when you're running somewhere new and want to see which streets and paths are most used by other runners.

On top of just planning a route, there are several things to consider:

• Are there washrooms, water fountains, and shops to get food or a drink on the route?

• Is the route well-lit and is it busy?

• Does the route receive winter maintenance?

• Are there sidewalks, pathways, or shoulders to run on?

• Are there accessible transit options nearby (just in case)?

• If you have a hilly goal race, make sure some of your runs include routes with elevation.

• No access to a track? Mark out 400m, 800m, etc., on a route to help with intervals and speed work.

Other Tips for Route Mapping

• Make it fun and run to a destination.

• Explore a part of your city that you don't visit as often on foot.

• Use the route as a chance to check out new restaurants, bars, or gyms in your city.

• If you don't have access to a running track, exploring new routes can help you find places for workouts, such as a flat 1km stretch or a hilly street.

  
  

Whether it's for the views, for some uninterrupted "you time," or because you know you'll see your running bestie on the street, having a good running route or two (or three!) is one of the best tools to have to stay motivated to run.