For majority of my life running has been associated with various negative memories. Examples like: running to the bus because I’m late, having to run laps around the gym longer than usual as punishment because someone walked, etc, etc. So when I wanted to begin to workout, I didn’t really know where to start. I tried various things and personally, they were ok, but not something I enjoyed. So then that’s when I began to run.
I genuinely never thought that running would be an activity that I would come to enjoy and even love. However, my journey to this was a long one and did not happen overnight. In the following I will give. A couple of tips that I personally, found useful and helped me in the long run (no pun intended) love running.
Start Off Slow
While this may sound like an obvious thing,many people, including myself; learn this the hard way. Starting off slow and at a pace that you can keep up for at least a minute to begin with is very beneficial for your long term running abilities. According to Very Well Fit, runners should start off at an “easy pace.” That would consist of a run that allows you to start and keep the conversation going while running, and without frequently stopping to catch your breathe. Again, depending on your athletic abilities this might seem like a fast pace if you’re used to working out, or this could seem like a jogging pace if you don’t frequently work out. But, it doesn’t matter; as long as you can do the exercise and not feel bad while doing it, or are doing well and will improve over time.
One way I started running and adding that into my life was by just starting by trying to run a mile and keeping track of the time. I would say do not rush yourself and push yourself until you feel comfortable to do so. So what, if you’re mile takes you 30 mins and you walked for most of it? You still traveled a mile more than you would’ve if you hadn’t done this. Soon enough, you will be running straight through the mile and then you will be thinking what next?
Another “technique” (using this term VERY loosely as i don’t know what I’d consider this) I used was to try and run for ten minutes and then walk for twenty minutes. Ten minutes was chosen because that is the average time it should take to run a mile. And a total of 30 minutes is the average time to workout. In those ten minutes, I didn’t run all the way through the first time I did this. Maybe I ran 0.25 miles and then walked the rest of the time I had. But as I began to do this constantly and my body got accustomed to everything I soon was running farther in the allotted time and running the mile in less than 9 minutes.
Doing this,was what helped me to set a base and foundation to being able barely run a mile to running 6 miles just for fun. And my running journey is not done, I soon want to be able to run a marathon or a half one at least.
Keep Track
Having your stats available can help show you the improvement you have made so far. While there are various apps that can help you keep track of your running, I personally, love and use the Nike Run Club App. Since it can connect to your Apple Watch and other smartwatches when running it is very helpful in keeping track off various important stats like heart rate, mileage ran, time ran, etc.
On the app it also has a a section where it lists al your runs by days and in the summary shows your overall time, mileage ran and avearage pace. I think this is helpful because while scrolling down you can look at previous stats and compare to the most recent and see if there is a difference. (Pictured below)
Even if it is a second or two difference , I think you should always be happy about the change, because that means this work you are putting forth is doing something because overtime those one, two seconds add up to minutes. This also helps remind you that your only competition when running is yourself, and really helps push you and have a better week than the one before. It also synchs a map to the areas you ran through and shows you where you had slowed down and stuff like that which is pretty cool.
Additionally, the Nike app has other features that help you also with getting into running. It has various guided runs and i like those because they definelty help remind you that you should be doing this and that it is okay to run no matter the speed or distance it is . Moreover, it has ways to connect with friends and this is a fun way to have friends start running or run with you as you can create a challlenge set the length of time and mileage and see which friend finishes first. It’s a great way to have accountability and encouragement witching a group because when you see your friend went for a run you think, “hey why can’t I?”
You can also start a log of your own in your phone or maybe a journal and have it that way, if you’re a little more into that vintage vibe.
Proper Attire
“You can walk in running shoes, but you can’t run in walking shoes.” Was what my old manager used to say at the shoe store where I used to work at. This has been one of the truest statements I have ever heard. When I got into running, like I mentioned it was a sort of last resort to see what I liked when working out, so I started off with not having proper running shoes and having just regular gym shoes. I did not think this was a problem until I actually got my first pair of proper running shoes.
When I would run with my other shoes and get home to take them off my feet would hurt, and I honestly wouldn’t think nothing of it. In my head I would rationalize it as “Well you ran far and for a long time; of course you’re feet are gonna hurt.” However, when I ran the first time with proper running shoes… WOAH ! My feet did not hurt, the usual pain in my toes and legs was not present. While they may cost a bit extra than regular gym shoes, I definitely think it is an investment for yourself as you will have better chances at liking the activity and lower chances of hurting yourself while doing it.
ALSO, from a personal experience, maybe wear ALL BLACK… [IMPROMPTU STORY TIME:] I am a super sweaty person, so once I went on a run and wore some new grey Nike shorts. I did not realize I had a HUGE sweat stain on my butt until I passed the hall mirror… I was embarssed at first because it was a Saturday afternoon run in summer, so I certainly passed by many people… however, I just took this as a lesson to only wea black attire when running to avoid any future sweat stain embarassment lol.
For running clothes, I say really wear what makes you comfortable. I personally like to run in really short shorts and a hoodie. I find shorts more comfortable than running in pants. Again, personal choice. I say try out different outfits while starting to run and see which you feel the most comfortable in.
Personally, I would suggest the Allbirds tree flyer only because I have ran in them for about three or so months, for the farthest about 6 miles, and it was great. Also I like how the geometric angles of the heel and how it looks. Lol
Don’t Care
I mean, do not care about what others may think. A lot of people don’t get into running because of fears of what others may think of how they look when running or how they run. This was some of my thoughts as well. However, at the end of the day, you shouldn’t care what others think, because you are being proactive in your life by doing something that is beneficial. Whether it be running on a treadmill at the gym, nobody is looking; like seriously everyone is usually focused on themselves. Or running outside, which if you’re scared of people seeing you; run in areas you don’t know people or outrun them. They can’t get a good look of you if you whiz right past them lol.
Once you really start enjoying it and having a little passion for running you will not care if you bump into someone you know and you’re drenched in sweat. You’ll be proud you just ran 5 miles. Also whether you choose running as a workout or for fun, like any physical activity you will end up sweating. Once you get over the fear of being perceived as looking weird while working out, you will soon be one of those people you would see running at the park or through out the streets.
EXPLORE
From running past the black church people in their best dressed or the Mexican fruit vendors with a crowd in front of their stand you have to maneuver around; you see people and places you probably wouldn’t see or encounter. I started running to different areas around my neighborhood. And when my running skills started growing, so did the neighborhoods I visited.
While I first began running around the closest blocks around my house and a small track next to an abandoned school. I soon began to run to a different track on the outskirts of the neighborhood. That expanded to running around all of the neighborhood, which then had me leaving my neighborhood and running through others. Neighborhoods and really seeing the city, my city. I really loved this because I do live in the areas that would be considered the “hood” and people usually always have negative things to say and when I go on my runs running through these neighborhoods, I just see how some bad apples ruin the bunch. As in, they give a negative connotation to the neighborhoods people avoid them, yet here I am running through them, appreciating their history and beauty.
I especially like this because the neighborhoods I live around are historical, so if you do research you can go and have a running sight seeing tour. I live around some parts of a boulevard system created in the early 1900’s that connect multiple big public parks across the city together, so running through their is beautiful. Moreover, I do have an interest in architecture a bit so running to and by a lot of the older buildings is really awesome because they really don’t make buildings that are very ornate and detailed anymore… but that’s another talk for a different post.
I think if you use all of these together your passion for running will be ignited. Or maybe you just added to your workout routine, but altlast you enjoy it more. Lol Maybe you found this post because it is the end of the year and you want a “new year, new me moment” or maybe you found this post wheneevr because you got a jolt elf energy; regardless of the reason, it was meant to be. Running is a great way to destress and help wind your day down. Running is a great time to just be by yourself and have alone time to think and make decisions.Running is a great thing to have as a hobby and once you do get into running, it’ll be hard not to tell your friends about it and to join. (This is why i wrote this post, my friends are tired lmaooo)
Let me know in the comments if this was helpful, also stay tuned for more running and health articles. 🙂
J’s Journal 
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