Just like everyone else in their twenties this year, I decided to give running a go back in January.
Spoiler alert: I’m not a runner. Before this, the furthest I'd ever run was 3km in an intermediate cross-country race. So yeah, we’re starting from scratch here.
Here’s the lowdown on how I hacked my way into joining the running crew, plus all the ups and downs that came with it.
Gear Up
Get a smartwatch. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. Tracking progress and setting realistic goals kept my motivation high. Plus, it's fun to see those little stats improving.
While running can be a great pass time, it’s the challenge and sense of accomplishment that keeps me moving. After speaking with my fellow fitness-tracking pals, we all agree that after getting our watches, exercise doesn’t count if we don’t have them on - it’s a blessing and a curse.
I strongly suggest having leggings with pockets if you don’t want to get a running vest. There is nothing worse than the embarrassment of running with your phone in your hand.
Start Small
If there’s one piece of advice I can give to anyone starting to run, take it slow both time and distance-wise!
My first run? January 30th at 5:30 am, in the pitch dark. I managed 1.5km with an average pace of 9.04 mins/km. Yeah, I tripped at the end. Epic start, right? But hey, I was off and running (literally).
I found starting with 1.5-2km runs at a pace of 7-8 mins/km was the best intro.
If your goal is long-distance, don’t be afraid to slow it down even more - remember the turtle and the hare? No one likes to burn out before being able to give it a good nudge. You’re on your own time, my love.
Set Realistic Goals
Run clubs have been the major hype of 2024, but if you’re anything like me, a 3-4km run when I was starting would have been simply IMPOSSIBLE.
Set weekly goals that feel achievable. In my first two weeks, I aimed for 1.2-1.8km max, and it was all about consistency.
If I’m being honest, I went hard and was consistent for the first 5 months of the year and fell of the wagon after that point. I guess you could say the winter blues got to me! The mix of the cold and getting a new puppy meant that my priorities changed (sleep) and it was definitely hard to get back into it. Thankfully I kept it up to an extent and I’m proud to say that I’m back up and running - lol.
Celebrate Milestones
I remember hitting 2km and feeling like a boss. Keep your route easy - no killer inclines. Consistency is key, but so is rest. I took Wednesdays and weekends off, so I always had a rest day to look forward to.
My next milestone was the 5km mark, I hit this goal without even setting out to do it. I just felt decent on my run and continued. After doing it once I felt unstoppable. It taught me that the first 2-3km are the hardest, if you can push through that distance, you’re away laughing!
Rewarding yourself is also a MUST when it comes to building habits.
Build the Habit
They say all it takes is 21-28 days to build a habit. Eleven months in and I’m finally hitting the 5km mark with ease - most of the time.
Although my progress halted for a few months, I’ve found new ways to keep me motivated. I keep my closest friends in the loop with my progress, this helps to keep me held accountable.
It’s the meeting them for coffee and being hit with the ‘How’s your running going?’ for me.
I also have some rather large life events coming up that I want to feel my very best for. I’ve found that building running into my gym routine - which I’m religious with - makes it hard to talk myself out of.
Now, I run three times a week: two short runs (2.5km) and one long run (5km).
I’m not gonna lie, I'm still no track star, but hitting those goals and taking care of your body is totally worth it.
