Tiring Quickly on a Run? Your Route May Be Part of the Reason

Where you run could help explain why some outings feel harder to sustain than others, according to findings presented by Britain’s Loughborough University.

In an experiment, participants covered a greater distance in a natural setting than in an urban environment, despite reporting similar levels of perceived exertion.

The finding points to a distinction between how much effort runners feel they are making and how far they actually go. In this comparison, a similar sense of effort accompanied a longer distance amid nature.

For runners who tire quickly, the results suggest fitness may not be the only factor worth considering. The surroundings along a chosen route could also play a role.

The findings do not establish why participants went farther in the natural setting or guarantee that changing routes will produce the same result for everyone. They do, however, offer a reason to look beyond pace and fitness when thinking about the running experience.