"Imagine running for fun." Growing up, I would constantly repeat this phrase whenever I saw people running outside, participating in races, and part of cross country in high school. I just did not understand the allure around running. So I stuck to dance, field hockey, and cheer in high school, which translated to dance and going to the gym in college. However, with gyms being closed indefinitely, I have adopted a new love for running – surprisingly for my own enjoyment. I am currently training for a half marathon in the fall and would like to share some tips which helped to go from being miserable after a mile to still smiling at mile 6.
Listen To Your Body.
During my training, I have run up to 8 miles consecutively. However, I have only done this once so far. The day I accomplished this record, I went out with the plan of running 6 miles; however, my body told me to keep ongoing. Since then I have tried to break this record, but have not been able to do so which I attribute to listening to my schedule instead of what my body is telling me. This goes with so many things, some weeks your body won't need an off-day, while other weeks may consist of only off-days. Regardless, look at the bigger picture and let your body decide how much energy it wants to exert.
Find The Right Sound.
Sometimes I enjoy running to fast-paced songs, but I also enjoy slowing it down with podcasts, ballads and even the tune of nature. You might love running to the same playlist every time; however, do not be afraid to change things up a bit and even adjust how you are running based on what you are listening to. Running for speed? Fast-paced music might be the way to go. Running for distance? A podcast might just do the trick. Running for leisure? A slow ballad or the sound of the great outdoors are great ideas. Not everybody's running playlist is the same so test out different varieties to find what works best with you.
Embrace The Outdoors.
I don't know anybody who can run for two full hours on a treadmill without feeling miserable. While the treadmill is a great tool, make sure you do not rely solely on indoor runs. Take an adventure outside and use your run to discover new trails and scenery. This might decrease your speed but helps greatly with enjoying the run. Websites like www.traillink.com and www.mapmyrun.com are great tools with trail-running but don't be afraid of going on your own running adventure to discover unique landscapes.
Focus On Yourself.
It is so easy to compare yourself and progress to others. Try to limit this by focusing on your individual growth and experience running. Just because a YouTuber can run 10 miles easily, does not mean that you can too or should. Set your own goals and keep track of your achievements and progress along the way. Don't be afraid to seek out others for inspiration, but also make an effort to look at your own journey as inspiration.
Go Back To Basics.
Everybody's body is different but a few technical things have helped me to progress. If you are running longer distances, start off with shorter strides to preserve your energy. Make sure you have shoes that work with your body. If your body starts to hurt, take a break from running – stretch, ice your body, or even just catch up on sleep. Make sure to do more than just – this can mean biking, swimming, walking, weight-training or however else you enjoy exercising. Don't forget to eat a small snack and drink water 30 minutes-1 hour before going on a run to fuel your body while preventing cramping. Never forget to warm-up and cool-down – I recommend a quarter-mile to a mile walk prior to and after a run. Last but certainly not least, enjoy the process. Find what works with you and continue to progress in your runs.
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