Can you become a runner?

Here’s why I think so.

One of my favorite things to do is go for a jog. For me, there is no better feeling than getting outside in the fresh air and stretching my legs on a sunny day. Every day my body is physically able to do so, it’s a gift. It’s something I used to take for granted and I’ve learned to be grateful for these simple pleasures like my health.

Feet grabbing at pavement. Step after step, feeling my lungs spread new air through me so I can push through the next movement. New energy with each deep breathe. Legs always moving.

First it was jogging that made me happy. At some point I started cardio runs, and it felt good to get my heart racing. Then I started running for distance. No matter why I went outside with my sneakers on, it was always something I did for myself:

to do something active

to get lost in some music

to process my thoughts

to forget my stress and worry.

I was always jogging alone, tracking my progress and setting my own goals.

After about 15 years of doing this, it dawned on me that I was a runner.

But I did not always like to run.

After getting home from a run I’m often hopped up on endorphins and excited to post a screenshot of my running route, proud to have completed a new course. From all the times I have shared this hobby of mine, I’d say most of my friends would think of me as a runner.

But I wasn’t always a runner. I did not even like to run.

I may actually have been scarred from two a day pre-season soccer practices, where sprint drills left me breathless. Who would find that fun? We would run distance as a team to get in shape for the season, starting with my travel soccer league at the age of 10 to high school varsity at 18. It was brutal in the August heat, but it was a part of the sport. I kept going for the team, and under the pressure of my coaches, I improved and got better. I was always competitive, wanted achievement. But I wasn't going to go pro (sorry Dad) so when the season ended I was back on the couch! After a few months off you lose that muscle memory, and starting over the next year hurt like hell all over again. I would dread the idea of running, because I knew it would be painful.

One day when I was in high school during the off season, I put on sneakers and went outside to clear my head. One mile later I was exhausted and honestly dissatisfied.

It took me a little while to get back out there, but on a rare warm and sunny day in February, it felt like the perfect environment to try again. I jogged around my town (very, very, slowly) and returned home with the biggest smile on my face.

A few days later I did it again, and I went a quarter mile longer.

A few days after that I did 2 miles.

The point is, it went on like this for a while and with each run I felt proud of my progress.

It was a way to be active without feeling completely exhausted.

If I went a little longer or a little faster, I felt proud of my progress. I liked the satisfaction of knowing I could have stopped, or turned back home earlier, but I kept going.

In college I ran more consistently as a way to be active and burn off some extra calories, especially before spring breaks. One day in my junior year I set out on a long course, and honestly at a point got lost, and ended up running 11 miles.

Some years I slowed down, and ran less. There were weeks I got bored, and did something else at the gym.

But last year something shifted in me. Life had me back to running consistently again. I was running 5 miles a day, 5 times a week. First on the treadmill during the winter and then when the weather got warm enough I was eager to get outside. I was going faster, and going longer.

Not every day is progress though. Some runs I feel great, and I go farther. Other times I try and know that something feels wrong, and I tell myself that it’s ok to cut it short. I force myself If I think a run will help me feel better. But some days I swear I don’t even attempt the run.

So I can speak from experience, that running is something you can work at.

I know there are people out there that are born runners - we all know them! Thin, skinny, long legs - completes an effortless 10 mile run at 5am. Trust me, this is not who I am.

And I know that some people believe they can’t be runners. Because of previous injury or that it causes pain. Many people think they “don’t have the body for it” or believe they are too heavy or out of shape to run.

Now I don’t think you should avoid pain, and coming from someone who is not a specialist/doctor/PT/instructor/trainer TAKE THIS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. But the first step, the physical first step, is to start.

Put one foot in front of the other.

With work I have become a runner. If you are interested in developing this as a new activity, it’s the perfect time. Maybe it’s because you are bored in quarantine, you want to be physically fit, or just because you never quite could before… here are some tips from my experience that I hope you will find helpful!

Tips & Tools

Start, slowly: Like I said earlier, my first run was 1 mile (maybe even less!) So the first few times, take it easy, or just walk! That’s still physical activity, and you are building muscle and getting stronger.
Record yourself: I find tracking my runs extremely helpful. Doing this provides extra motivation, personal statistics, and aids in planning! Once you know the lengths of your favorite routes, you will know how long it should take you to complete them! This past year I have used Strava because it was recommended by the New York Road Runner association, and I love it! It uses GPS signal navigation to track my courses.
Before Strava I used mapmyrun, and I found that very accurate but the dashboard is pretty outdated. There are others like Nike Run Club that I have heard great things about too! But once you start on a platform I recommend sticking with it so you have all your stats in one place.

3. Dress for the temperature: Look ahead at the weather and make sure you are prepared for the temperature. You don’t need to buy Lululemon active clothes, only recently did I start investing in some upgraded gear. You can wear an old t-shirt! But make sure that if it’s a windy 40 degrees you have layers and gloves, and if its 80 degrees you have on light and breezy material.

4. Prepare your body: I personally think hydration and energy are the most important success factors in my running, and that happens before I even get outside. Make sure you drink a few glasses of water! If you don’t have much time then here is a secret tip: hydration tablets. I love these GU Hydration Drink Tabs that can be purchased from their website, in many running stores, or on Amazon. You add a quick dissolve tab to 16oz of water and it will give you an effective hydration boost. If you want more of that good energy, eat a meal with protein prior to your run! I like banana’s with peanut butter : ) Lastly, do not forget to stretch, before and after. It only takes a minute but will really help reduce injury and aid in your recovery after a work out.

4. Listen to your body: If you are feeling good, keep going. Today might be the day you surprise yourself and run for longer than you expected! That has happened to me more times than I can count. But if you are not feeling well, don’t ignore it. I know that when we are training for something, or have a goal in mind, we are told to keep pushing, and not to give up. But if you are just starting out, it’s ok to have good days and bad days! Just don’t give up on the overall goal, get back out there when you feel up to it again.

5. Still lacking motivation? Get accountable: I have found much motivation in accountability. Make a plan to run with a friend after work, so you are less likely to bail! Or sign up for a race! That simple step of signing up, or paying a registration fee, definitely helps! There are tons of races listed in the Tri-state area on the NYRR site. In this pandemic most races are cancelled, but there are still virtual runs to participate in! It will get you feeling a higher level of commitment to reach that 5k (or whatever your goal may be) just by signing up.

I know that I’m not the first person to write about running, nor the most qualified. BUT it’s a passion of mine and I hope to share it with others! I’m going to be posting more on this subject including the tools and gear I use for long distance running, some of my favorite courses, and why I decided to run the NYC Marathon.

Thanks for reading!