I am a runner. It has taken me a long time to say that! And you can be too. Maybe it’s the return of nicer weather in the region that I live in, but I have had at least 3 people in the last week talk to me about starting to run, but not knowing if it is the right sport for them. Here is a little about my running history and why I think anyone who can walk, can run, if they want to.
Running + Me = Long Term Relationship
In high school soccer and gym class, I hated running. Being forced to run 1 mile each year for gym and then doing sprints and laps around the soccer field for practice, let alone running during games, was not my favorite. Looking back now, I was hyper aware of being the slowest and the perfectionist in me HATED it. Someone even told me once “You look like you’re trying so hard to go fast, but you’re not going anywhere.” So I developed a real bad taste for any form of running. When I got to be my heaviest weight in college, I decided to sign up for the Turkey Trot here in Western New York as my goal race to help me get moving. This is where my passion for running really started. I learned that I might not be fast, but I can in fact, run distance. After finishing that race, running became a regular form of movement for me. The distance I committed to would vary, but I loved that I could do it anywhere, at my own pace, play with the speed and distance I was aiming for, and just get outside for my movement. I realized that I am running for me, not to try to be faster or better than the person next to me. Since then, I’ve run 5 half marathons, and a few 5k and 10k races in the mix. Each race posed different challenges for me and I learned something new about myself from every race. Including how to meet my body where it is at, in that season of life (hello postpartum running!) or even on that particular day. I may have started out running as a way to lose weight, but these days, it is the pure peace that I experience in my mind when I get past the first 5 minutes, that makes me fall in love with running over and over again.
Is running right for me?
I use the “Run with Hal” running app by Hal Higdon to develop my training plans for running. Within it are some notes about what you may experience on each run, whether it is adding speed, distance, or staying the same as the last run. This message from the App summarizes why I think anyone can run: “Running is a basic activity, instinctive to our being. People need not be taught how to run. Children learn to run almost as soon as they walk. Visit any elementary school playground, and you will see kids sprinting all over the place. Children modify their behavior as they get older. Running starts to become a discipline rather than a natural form of exercise. It is only as adults that people forget to run and sometimes have to be retaught.” With that in mind, yes, I think running is right for you. If you are curious about it, try it! Even if you walk/run it. See if your body likes it and it may even get you back in touch with your inner child.
Running & safety
The first question that I often receive regarding running that comes from women is “how do you feel comfortable running in the dark?” Sadly, we live in a world where women don’t feel safe in their surroundings when it is dark and they are alone. And there’s good reason for that. I workout before the sun comes up because that is when it fits best in my life as a mom of 2, and I know many moms are in the same boat. We get things done for ourselves before the chaos of the day begins when little ones are awake and also, as a way to prioritize our health. So for someone like me who hates treadmills, I run in the dark outside. Even before kids, I ran in the early mornings. Safety always crossed my mind at some point on a run and still does to this day. Here are a few things I did to allow myself to feel more safe. I stopped running with music on so I can be more aware of my surroundings. I will always have a big dog to run with. I don’t run the same route every day. I am always aware if a car happens to pass by me twice. I don’t run alone before dawn when I travel. I always talk to the hotel staff to get a feel for the surrounding area and opt for a treadmill run if safety is a concern at all even in daylight. It’s sad that as women, we do have to think of these things, but we do. In my experience, if you don’t feel safe, you won’t enjoy the run. Your body will know it too.
Where do I start?
If you are hesitant to try running, take it one step at a time. Babies walk before they run. Find a training plan that works for you! I enjoy the Run with Hal app, but there are plenty of free training resources out there for anyone from beginner to marathoner. Don’t be afraid to start over wherever you are today. I had to start all over this year AGAIN after injuring my lower back right after essentially beginning again twice over after having each of my kids. The mental challenge is harder than the physical in those instances. The only other tip I’d give here is that if you do have a distance goal in mind within a timeframe, follow a plan or find a coach. Both can help you keep on track while not pushing your body to injury. However if you don’t have a goal in mind, just get out there and start running a little at a time and feel free to scrap the “plans”. It might be a good exercise for you just to wing it and see your power.