Lets be real. There are two types of people in the world: those who love running and those who think running is only appropriate during a zombie apocalypse. I used to be the latter. I never understood the people who voluntarily woke up at 6 am to run when it was cold outside or those who went to places like Disney World just to run 26.2 miles (I still don’t totally understand those people but I am very impressed with them.) There was always a certain level of admiration for the runners of the world but that admiration came with a concern for them as human beings- no judgement though.
Fast forward, and we are in February of this year. I started running because I realized I needed a convenient way of controlling my anxiety. So it began. I started to pretend I liked running mostly trying to convince myself. Then, honestly, I was motivated to stick with it when I realized there are races that give you a medal just because you finish a race. Heck to the yeah- something that makes me feel better mentally, physically, AND gives me some serious bling all at the same time? Sign me up!
So if you, like me, admire the runners of the world and are searching for a non-painstaking way of faking-it-till-you-make-it into their exclusive world of sweating, blistered feet, and getting all that bling here is how I am getting there!
First thing’s first: Figure out why you want to start running.
I don’t mean the “I want to get in shape” reason because, lets be honest, if you don’t like running in the first place you will not stick with it just because you want to get in shape. I mean what is the real, deep down reason that you need a physical outlet. For me, running started as a way of controlling my anxiety. My grandmother passed away and the reality of my eventual graduation was all setting in at once. I have never found the perfect physical outlet for stress management. I used to, and still love to, dance but a dance class is not always as readily available as my running shoes. The ability to run whenever I wanted, wherever I was really appealed to me.
Second: Set a goal!
For me, I decided I was going to run a 10K at the Disney World Princess Marathon Weekend in February of 2019. I liked this particular race because everything I read about it said that there is a lot of celebrating that goes into the whole weekend. From fireworks at the beginning of the race to princesses along the course and of course the massive finisher medal that you get at the end, this race just seemed like something I could get excited about. Additionally, I am much better at staying motivated for things like the Disney World races because they are impressive fund raisers for great organizations. I have been able to raise over $500 for Children’s Miracle Network through Disney’s Princess Half Marathon. Also, duh, you get to wear a tiara. So, my best advise is to set a goal that you can honestly see yourself following through with until the end. Maybe you want to hit the 8-minute mile mark. Maybe you want to run a certain amount of miles in the next month. Or maybe you want to be able to go to your high school reunion and say that you have done three 1/2 marathons in the last year. Just really be sure that you’re honest with yourself so you are the most likely to be successful!
Third: Find a program to follow!
Honestly this just makes it easier because you don’t have to set your own schedule. I use Jeff Galloway’s half marathon training program which is a pre-set, high-intensity, yet low-injury-risk running program that basically warms your body up and gets your cardiovascular system as well as your muscles ready to run long term, without injury. There are tons of training programs out there so just start Googling to find one that sounds like it will work for you!
Fourth: Do whatever you have to do to stay on track!!!!
I get really excited about using planners so I bought myself an exercise planner with lots of stickers and glitter pens. Its silly but it works.
I also want to say that sometimes you will mess up. It’s ok. If you get sick you might not run for a week but that’s ok! Don’t let one day of self-imposed failure keep you from being long-term successful! Part of the journey is being able to forgive yourself for not running as fast as you would like one day or training well one week or even not meeting your goal the first time you try.
Wherever you are in your exercise journey, I wish you all the best of luck!