8 Things All New Runners Do Right

Not a runner? I get it. I used to hate running. It didn't make sense. It was equivalent to torture in my mind. There's a reason "taking a lap" is a punishment in PE. You act out of line, your PE teacher is like, "PUNISHMENT! GO RUN!" And you think, "NOOOOOOOOOOOO." I know it sounds ludicrous and impossible, but once you can get past those first few weeks (sometimes months) of running, it really does get easier and dare I say it FUN.

One thing I remember doing when I first started running was spend hours and hours sifting through blogs and online running publications trying to "figure out" how to run. According to everything online, I was doing everything wrong. I got stressed out. I'd see words like "Gait" and "Interval" and think "WHAT IS THAT? I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW NOT TO FEEL LIKE I'M DYING!" If you're a new runner, don't stress! Here are 8 things you're already doing right --

Showing Up.

Getting out the front door is literally the hardest part about running. (And to be honest, that part never gets easier.) Just last night I sat on the couch when I got home from a 12 hour workday and said, "I'm not in the mood to run. I want to go to bed." Then I thought, "Girl, you had that cupcake (and plate of pasta...and cookie...and bagel) today because you knew you were running after work. Go run." Just get out the door, that's half the battle.

Go Slow.

"But I'm so slow." WHO CARES!?! So you're running 12 minute miles, stop feeling bad about that! That's impressive to so many people! I'm impressed! No one cares about how slow you run. No one. Go at your own pace! As long as you're going forward, no one cares how fast or slow you do it.


Yeah, it's OK to complain! Why? Because it hurts! Are you waddling like a penguin after 30 minutes of walking and running? That's normal and I give you permission to say, "JESUS CHRIST! OWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" Sometimes a run powered by F words is just what you need. I say complain away!

Overdo It Online.

If you find yourself falling into the worm hole that is online help articles, unplug. No amount of "What to expect when you first start running" articles will help make running easier. Cap it off at 3 then put your shoes on and just go! Seeking advice online won't hurt but it's easy to get overwhelmed or confused when you go overboard.

Ask Questions.

"What do you do to make running less boring?" EXCELLENT QUESTION! Keep asking questions like that because there is one thing runners love to do it's talk about running. So find a bunch of runners and ask them all of your questions.

Ignore Everything.

Then take everything they say with a grain of salt because it probably isn't going to apply to you! Running is a really individual experience. You'll find what works for you over time. That's why you should ask all of your questions because it's fun to try new things based on what works for other runners!

Feel Nervous & Scared.

There's nothing scarier than running a specific distance for the first time. The first time I had to run 6 miles I literally told my Mom to come looking for me if I didn't make it home in an hour and a half. That's how terrified I was. You can only imagine what I was like before my first marathon....

Go For It.

There's no one way to make it happen. All you have to do is go forward. It takes time to figure out what works best for you. It's all trial and error! Try different training plans, routes, paces and techniques. Play around with different ways to cross train and strength train. Try new things! Make a big lofty goal and just go for it! You'll never know what you're capable of unless you try, try and try again!

There's no distance or pace that makes you a runner. A runner in my opinion is anyone who runs for longer than 10 seconds at a time. Be patient, you'll get the hang of it! Until next time, #RunSelfieRepeat.