Photo by Vassilis Kokkinidis
Many people wonder how to start running. Admittedly it is not an activity that I used to enjoy. In fact I would avoid it at all costs.
I never understood why someone would go through the trouble or pain to run. I wanted nothing to do with it.
Over time though, I began to enjoy it more and started to take it a little more seriously, but only after starting and stopping several times over the years.
This year though, I have run over 750 miles to date, have completed 2 half marathons and 1 marathon. Even though my main goal for the year was the marathon, I have found myself looking at upcoming race calendars and trail maps wondering what I want to train for next. In the past after I have run a race I was satisfied and said enough and stopped with no intention of ever starting again.
What is it about this year that has me hungry for more? I think it is a combination of several key factors that worked for me. Perhaps they will work for you as well.
How to Start Running
There are several reasons people start and stop running. It can be maddening and quite annoying. Not to mention pretty boring. Maybe you start a new year with a resolution only to realize it is really cold outside, and running on a treadmill is not an option.
Maybe you set some goals and then life gets in the way and you don’t run for a day or two.
Then you feel guilty.
Then it is hard to start again.
No matter the reason, here are a few helpful tips that I think will help keep you running and moving forward.
Set a Goal & Make a Plan
I find it helps a ton when I have a goal I am working towards. When I started training for my first race I would run to the end of my street and back. It was horrible. Even though it was a dead end and was only about a half a mile away, I was winded and sore and felt like I wanted to die. I turned around and literally walked limped back home.
Now most of my goals are based around certain races, but that doesn’t mean yours has to be. It could be a goal to run around the block in a certain amount of time. No matter what the goal is, give yourself something to work for rather then just running for running’s sake.
Find one thing about running you love and do it often
I was reading an interview once with Anton Krupika and he said to “investigate what it is you love about running and then do it — A LOT”. Ever since I read that, I have tried to think about what it is I love about running. I am still trying to pin my finger on it, but I think it changes from day to day.
I think the thing I love most about running is getting up and running in the early morning while the world is still waking up. I love being out when the sun is coming up over the mountains.
So figure out what it is about running that you love, and do it — A LOT.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
While you need to work hard to meet your goal that you set and stick to the plan in front of you, it is important to not be too hard on yourself.
If you miss a day, no big deal.
Just don’t try not to miss two in a row.
If you don’t run as fast as you want to, no big deal.
You probably pushed harder than you would have without the goal.
Just have fun with it and enjoy the fact you are out exploring your surroundings.
Reward yourself
Enjoy the small successes of running. When you reach your goal, or milestones throughout the training, reward yourself. It is a very important part of moving forward and recognizing small successes throughout life.
For the most part, I tried to stick to a pretty good diet throughout my training. About once a week though, I tried to have a day, or half a day where I didn’t watch what I ate too closely. It was a small reward and gave me something to look forward to. It also helped control my eating the rest of the week when I knew I had a free day coming up soon.
Be accountable to someone else
This is probably one of the most important aspects of training. If you are accountable to someone else for your goals, then you will be much more likely to follow through on them.
I told several people of my plans and goals and would update them on a regular basis. It will get to the point where a bunch of people are aware of your training and will ask you how its going. If you are running a race, they will wonder when it is and how the training is coming. Many times being accountable to these people pulls you through difficult days when you want to give up.
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else
Unless you are an elite runner and out there to win every race you enter, you should not compare yourself to anyone but yourself. Don’t worry if a little old lady with a walker is going faster than you. Just keep moving forward.
There is no one out there you need to compare yourself to other than yourself.
Be the best YOU you can be. That’s all you need to worry about.
Conclusion
So if you are wondering how to start running, follow these steps above. By no means is it an exhaustive list, but hopefully it is enough to get you started. No doubt that you will come up with your own lists of reasons and ways to teach others how to start running.
Any additional thoughts, please post in the comments below.
Happy running and hopefully I’ll see you on the trails.
Brandon
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