• Login
Ultra Running Magazine
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • Renew
    • Gift Subscription
    • Subscriber Login
  • Magazine
    • All Issues
    • Purchase Back Issues
    • Find a Retailer
    • Become a Retailer
  • Articles
    • Reviews
    • Training & Racing
    • Health & Nutrition
    • Race Reports
    • News and Notes
    • Ultra Running 101
    • Weekly Newsletter
    • UltraRunners of the Year
  • Podcast
  • Training Plans
  • Old School Ultras
  • Events
    • Upcoming Races
    • Map View
    • By State
    • By Cutoff
    • Stats
      • Finishes
      • Top Performances
      • Biggest Races
    • Race Director
      • Register
      • Login
  • Results
    • Latest Results
    • Runner Search
    • All Time List
  • Shop
    • Back Issues
    • Digital Back Issues
    • Hats
    • Stickers
    • Odds and Ends
    • Cart
  • About
    • About UR
    • Columnists
    • Staff
    • Ambassadors
    • Advertise
    • Contact
    • Change of Address
    • Editorial Submissions
  • 0
Subscribe Today

Overcoming Monotony

Guest Author 03/30/2018
Guest Author 03/30/2018
1.3K

By Will Cooper

Runners, beware, you are about to enter the twilight zone.  This is the dimension that exposes long-held beliefs that cause of chronic burn-out. It is a journey into a wondrous land that defies dogma and disposes of the monotonous. A place where mindless, boring exercise goes to die.

Running can be boring. Especially when you do it a lot, and for a long time. There are days when I can’t bring myself to go for a run. Ever have one of those? You know, when the thought of going for a run makes you want to clean the kitchen, take out the trash or work on a project, like any project? It’s a quandary, especially if you’re trying to prepare for something like a half-marathon, an ultra marathon or whatever.

I truly believe I would have given up running ultras a long time ago if I hadn’t started incorporating reading into my training regimen

The solution? Try this out: reading. That’s right. Reading while training. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it’s really not. Read on.

I’ve been putting a healthy amount of my weekly training in while reading the Wall Street Journal, the LA Times and the New York Times. I’m even adding in a regular dose of the Weekly Standard, Backpacker Magazine and an occasional book (usually non-fiction). I’m in the middle of Getting to US, a profile of some of the greatest coaches in sports by Seth Davis, and What Unites Us, reflections on patriotism by ousted CBS anchor Dan Rather.

The question of course is how is it possible to read and run at the same time. It isn’t. I don’t run while I read. And I don’t have to because I incorporate a lot of cross training into my schedule. The elliptical machine is one of my favorites, as is hiking at a steep grade on the treadmill wearing a 10 lbs weight vest. Another is simply riding a stationary bike. Each of these workouts can get my heart rate to an aerobic level. They also give my body a chance to rebuild after long and/or difficult workouts, all while catching up with what’s happening in DC, Pyongyang or in Pennsylvania’s 18th district.

I’ve come to look forward to my reads during training. In fact, I truly believe I would have given up running ultras a long time ago if I hadn’t started incorporating reading into my training regimen several years back. What’s more is I’m usually blasting my thumbprint radio on Pandora while I’m checking the sports page or the latest Op-Ed. Did you note the juxtaposition of the WSJ NY Times? (Trying to stay balanced my friends).

In addition to rewarding my neurons, reading while training forces me to stay in a recovery zone. That is because pushing into the red zone makes it impossible to focus – on text, paragraphs or even titles. Everything becomes a blur.  Staying in my recovery zone allows me to build a solid base of fitness, the foundation for running strong at any distance.

 

Keep it real runners!

FacebookTwitterEmail
Guest Author

More from UltraRunning

Western States 2025: Legends Old and New

What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — July...

100 Miles with Your Best Friend

Lost Trails of the Kalmiopsis

Ultra Weekend Recap — June 29, 2025

REVIEW: Trail Running Sunglasses

Recent Results

Weekly Newsletter

A roundup of the week's content and race results. Sent every Thursday.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Podcast

  • Ryan Montgomery: Racing with Purpose

  • Adam Popp & Dave Mackey

  • What’s the Issue w/ Amy Clark (June/July 2025)

  • What’s the Issue w/ Amy Clark (Apr/May 2025)

  • Reader’s Questions Answered with Dr. Nick Tiller

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Spotify

Back To Top
Ultra Running Magazine
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • Renew
    • Gift Subscription
    • Subscriber Login
  • Magazine
    • All Issues
    • Purchase Back Issues
    • Find a Retailer
    • Become a Retailer
  • Articles
    • Reviews
    • Training & Racing
    • Health & Nutrition
    • Race Reports
    • News and Notes
    • Ultra Running 101
    • Weekly Newsletter
    • UltraRunners of the Year
  • Podcast
  • Training Plans
  • Old School Ultras
  • Events
    • Upcoming Races
    • Map View
    • By State
    • By Cutoff
    • Stats
      • Finishes
      • Top Performances
      • Biggest Races
    • Race Director
      • Register
      • Login
  • Results
    • Latest Results
    • Runner Search
    • All Time List
  • Shop
    • Back Issues
    • Digital Back Issues
    • Hats
    • Stickers
    • Odds and Ends
    • Cart
  • About
    • About UR
    • Columnists
    • Staff
    • Ambassadors
    • Advertise
    • Contact
    • Change of Address
    • Editorial Submissions

Shopping Cart

Close

No products in the cart.

Close