Whether it’s on the treadmill or out on the roads, cardio can be a bit of a slog. Even the most dedicated amateur runners will admit to days when they hate every step.

But as we all know, the benefits of running and cardio training are HUGE. Not just for your physical well-being, but also for your mental health too.

After a year of lockdowns, it’s more important than ever to consider these benefits and make sure you stay on top of your mental health. So we’ve pulled together some of our best advice to help you enjoy your cardio training. These tips will even have you looking forward to your next run!

Find your pace

It’s no use sprinting out of the door and expending all of your energy 100 meters into a 5k run. If you do that, we guarantee you’ll think twice before grabbing your running shoes next time. The key is to find a pace you feel comfortable at. Focus on your breathing, ensure you aren’t gasping for air with every step.

Even if it feels slow, stick to that pace. The most important thing is that you’re out there doing it. Once you find a pace you feel comfortable at, you’ll be able to gradually increase the distance and speed over time.

It can be difficult to judge your pace, so a good tip would be to use fitness watches or apps. These can give you notifications when you’re running too fast or too slow, depending on the pace you’ve chosen.

Run with a friend

When it comes to running, there is no better aid than having a running partner. Someone to chat to and who can help push you when you’re struggling.

People often feel apprehensive about running with someone – maybe you’re too embarrassed about your Phoebe running technique or you’re worried you’ll slow your partner down. These fears are almost certainly unfounded though. How can you slow someone down if the plan is to go a run together?

When you hit the pavements with a friend, you’re going out as a team. You’ll find the flowing conversation helps take your mind off of the niggles and pains of your run, and allows you to spend some quality time with your bestie.

Set small goals

Giving yourself small, achievable targets to work towards is the best way to keep you on the path. We’re all guilty of lacking discipline from time to time, but when you have a goal, it becomes easier to put your running shoes on in the morning.

The targets you set for yourself should reflect the level you’re at. If you’re just starting out, maybe the goal should be to be able to run continuously for 20 minutes.

To get there, start at 2 minutes. Then increase that to 3, then 5 and so on. Each time you reach one of your goals, you’ll feel great.

It’s these little milestones that show our progress and increases our enthusiasm. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day – they laid one brick at a time.

Switch up your routes

Keeping your running routes fresh and interesting is essential. Tackling the same route day after day can be a great way to measure your progress and improvement, but it can get tedious very quickly. So switch it up!

Pick four or five different routes and alternate between them. It’ll keep your brain active and engaged and prevent boredom or mental burnout.

We recommend using your fitness apps such as Strava or PlotARoute’s website.

We also suggest that when going out at night, you tell friends and family your routes, for safety reasons.

Hit the pavements

Are you ready to grab your running trainers and use some of these tips? Let us know how you get on!