Ep. #388: 25 Unhinged Running Hacks That Actually Work!

Welcome to the Not Your Average Runner podcast. I’m Jill Angie, a certified running coach, and your running BFF here to help you start running. Feel confident and love the journey no matter your size. Now, if you’ve ever felt like you just weren’t meant to be a runner, think again. I believe that running is for all bodies, even yours.

This podcast is your warmup buddy, giving you tips, motivation, and the support you need to lace up and get moving. I’ve helped thousands of women become runners, and now I wanna help you. Let’s go.

Hey, hey runner, and welcome back to the show as always, I am Jill. Angie, your hype woman, and running BFF, and today. I am your personal purveyor of absolutely unhinged, slightly ridiculous, but totally effective running hacks because sometimes what actually gets us out the door isn’t a training plan or a new pair of shoes.

It is chaos. It’s nonsense. It’s some unholy combination of spike trickery and caffeine. Right? So buckle up ’cause I’ve got 25 off the wall running hacks for you today. And uh, you better believe I’ve tried most of them. So here they are in no particular order ’cause that’s how we roll around here. Let’s go.

Number one, put your sports bra and your running shoes in the bathroom sink before you go to bed so they’re impossible to ignore in the morning. They’re like a passive aggressive reminder from your past self. Number two, yell. You’ve got this girl at yourself in the mirror before you leave. Yes, out loud.

I promise it works. Number three, just fricking sleep in your running clothes, including your sports bra. Wake up like a chaotic fitness burrito. Ready to roll. Number four, talk to your gear like it’s your hype squad. Like, okay, shoes, we got 30 minutes. Let’s go make some magic. Number five, stick a dog poop bag in your pocket even if you don’t have a dog.

Why? Because you’ll be prepared for anything. Mysterious, goo random trash, snack, wrappers, whatever it is, you are ready. Number six, name your training plan. Like Coach Sassy or Sir runs a lot. You’re gonna feel way, way guiltier Ditching a run when it is personal. All right, make it personal. Number seven, set your GPS watch to kilometers instead of miles because suddenly you are running 5K instead of 3.1 miles and it feels so much more impressive.

Or, hey, if you run in kilometers. Set it to miles, so it feels like you aren’t going as far. Number eight, st. Your favorite snacks in your mailbox. This is an instant post run reward, and you get to feel like a squirrel who beat the system. Number nine, do a finish line dance at the end of every run in public.

Well, okay. You can do it in your living room if you want. But do it. It is powerful. Number 10, run with a paper crown or some sort of costume piece once a month. It is silly. It makes people smile. It reminds you that this is supposed to be fun. Number 11, name your inner critic, Brenda, and then ignore her.

Or you can yell at her mid run. Shut up Brenda. Therapy and cardio. You get a two for one. And if your name is Brenda, I’m really sorry. Uh, number 12, scream. Sing Taylor Swift while running down a hill. Like you have not lived until you’ve made eye contact with a stranger while yelling. It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem.

It’s me. Number 13. Buy a headband with cat ears and wear it like it’s totally normal. Unhinged, yes. Powerful also. Yes. Number 14, run like somebody just told you that running is bad for your knees. Fuel yourself with rage. Make it happen. Number 15, tell everyone you are doing research for your book.

Everyone you pass, even if you’re not a writer, especially if you’re not a writer. Number 16, use gold star stickers. Make a chart. Do it like a literal child. Every run gets a sticker. Put it somewhere public. Become a menace. Number 17, right? You are a goddess on your bathroom mirror in purple. Eyeliner. Be extra.

You are worth it. Number 18, use trash day as a sprint drill. Run from bin to bin like it is an obstacle course. Shouting, parkour the whole way. Give the neighbor something to talk about. Number 19, wear your favorite race medal on every run and point to it. Every time you pass somebody, people will stare, and that is okay because you are a badass runner and proud of it.

Number 20, make up a rivalry with a random runner on Instagram. They don’t know you exist. Does not matter. You’re gonna beat ’em anyway. Number 21. Text your friend. I’m going for a run. If I’m not back in an hour, avenge my death. It adds a little danger, a little spice. And also accountability. Number 22, convince yourself that every run is a protest against diet culture.

Bonus points if you carry a sign, because every run is a protest against diet culture. Again, rage fueled running is still cardio. Number 23. Name your legs. Thank them individually after each run. Oh wow. Lefty, you really carried the team today. Righty. You’re getting a gold star. And of course, bonus points if you actually give them gold stars.

Number 24 run while pretending that you are being filmed for a documentary about overcoming adversity, there is dramatic music playing. You are the underdog hero. Everyone is crying, lean in, and number five. Join, run Your Best Life where we encourage this level of chaos. We have support, we have memes, and we definitely don’t judge your motivational techniques.

You know, we might even steal them. So you can find us at run Your Best life.com or of course, click the links in the show notes. All right, my friends, that is 25 off the wall hacks to help you run when motivation is hiding under the couch. You don’t need discipline. You need drama and maybe a little glitter.

So remember, you don’t have to run like an influencer, you just have to run like you. And if that is loud and weird, be your fabulous self. Okay? And just a reminder, if you’re looking for more support, more hacks, more community, and a place where no one will ever side eye your sticker chart, come hang with us in Run Your Best Life.

That’s Run Your Best life.com. Or go to the link in the show notes, and if this episode spoke to you, take a screenshot, share it on Instagram, and tag me at not your average runner because I want to cheer you on. And if you haven’t already, make sure you subscribe to the podcast for Pete’s sake, so you never miss an episode.

I will be back next week with more tips to help you run strong, run happy, and run your way. Until then, remember. You’re a runner no matter your pace or your body size, and I’ll talk to you next week.

Real quick before you go, I’ve got a fun challenge for you. Take my exerciser personality quiz to find out exactly what kind of exerciser you are and how to make running feel easier and more enjoyable.

Just head over to not your average runner.com/quiz to take it and get your results. That’s not your average runner.com/quiz.