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Happy Monday everybody! As I have mentioned before, one of the more productive things I have done during this quarantine time is to start running again. Back in college, I ran 3-4 times a week, and even did two half marathons (I know, I can’t really believe it either).
Moving back to Colorado from San Diego, I grew frustrated with how much more difficult running is here (there’s waaaaayyy less oxygen and more hills), and ultimately stopped running entirely the past year. Although I missed the “runner’s high”, I have felt extremely intimidated and sometimes even nervous to pick up running again.
For all of those out there who are struggling getting back into running, just like I am, or for those who haven’t started it and want to try, now is as good of a time as any! Here are some of my tips for getting into running.
- Prepare your mind along with your body. For me, running is just as much a mental activity as a physical activity. Part of my running prep is convincing myself that I am capable of doing it, and pushing myself along throughout the run. Make sure your self talk is positive when you endeavor a run. You CAN do this!
- Start small. You don’t have to go from a couch to 5K in one day. Even if you go from running 0 miles to running .5 miles, that is a success. Take it at your own pace, and you will feel your body getting stronger bit by bit.
- Set goals. It can be easy to get discouraged when something is hard to start. By setting goals, you can make sure that you are challenged, but make sure that you aren’t pushing yourself too hard to where you feel as though you have failed.
- Create your ideal playlist. Personally, I started enjoying running when I started pairing music that I like with my runs. Find upbeat music that motivates you to increase your stamina (and sometimes even your pace) while running. Making a running specific playlist will help you to get in the zone faster as well.
- Drink a lot of water. This is my advice for just about everything in life, but I think that the benefits are obvious when it comes to exercising. More water, more energy!
Your body is a lot stronger than you think it is, and you are capable of more than you imagine. Push your body and your mind by trying to start to run. Don’t get discouraged when you experience setbacks- your body will feel different every day, and some days on the trails will feel better than others. Give yourself some grace- you will see results if you stay persistent and dedicated! Good luck out there, and let me know how it goes 🙂
The TEA (Transitioning Early Adults) 