Why Do You Run?
So this lockdown business has got you like, I miss the gym! I need some exercise that is getting me out the house! Have you found running? People only ever find running when there is some kind of problem in their life. From a family disaster, to a redundancy, to well a weird virus causing worldwide lockdown!
I started running two years ago, after my beloved grandpa died. It was also the year after my 21st birthday where my father and I fell out over very silly things. So as you can imagine my head was not where it was before. I read so many blogs and peoples stories about running where they say running saved their life. Some people laugh at this but actually for some, it’s true. On more than one occasion it has literally save my life. It helped me get over the loss of my grandfather and helped me in 2018 get over the fallout with my father. Now my running is still playing that same part, the gap filler. It is helping me get out the house (of course once a day due to lockdown) and helping me fill the gap that my father filled as we are no longer in contact. So yes, I am with those others when I say running has saved my life!
It is true that no one runs for fun. You run because you need, like me, a gap filler, a cheap easy way to keep fit. Or in the case of lockdown, as escape from your house. An escape from work or everyday life. You do begin to find running fun, I generally do enjoy running. Especially when I hit my goals. I try and set myself monthly running goals. This really helps keep things going. I wanted to give you some of my tips for running and some pointers to help you keep going. I have had a lot of people come to me lately asking how I keep going with my running and why they can’t seem to get anywhere, so here goes!
Meg’s helpful tips to keep running! Don’t give up! You started this for a reason!
1. Set yourself goals. I for one, set myself monthly goals. Don’t give yourself anything too hard that will push you to say, injure yourself. It can be simple things, like for example, when I first started out there used to be the same spot I used to stop at to catch my breath. So I set myself a target to not stop there, to either not stop at all or stop at a further spot. Set yourself distance goals, time goals. Anything!
2. Do the run as a loop not just a running to a destination and running back. That can be demoralising. I find if I run in a loop, I know when I’m almost home so it gives me that push to run that final but faster. It also helps with keeping a good even pace all the way through.
3. Stretch very well before hand. Until about a year ago I NEVER stretched. I then hurt myself time and time again and couldn’t work out why I always had sore feet or legs. It’s because I never stretched. If you need some stretching ideas, let me know, I have a small routine I have put together I’d love to share with you! And now I’m injury free!
4. Tell people about your progress. When I first started out and still to this day, I always tell my mum about my run. It helps me feel good about myself even if it was rubbish. It helps me reflect on it and think what I could do next time. Talking helps.
5. Take photos on your run, you may go to some different places that are glorious and it’s nice to share. I find myself taking pictures all the time and remembering where I went and wanting to return. Seeing lovely views helps you spur on your run and want to go further and try out new places.
I hope that helps those of you new runners keep going. It does get easier, and more enjoyable. Please talk to me about your running. I love people talking to me about running because I am a passionate believer of it helping people mentally and obviously physically. It’s been my life line and I’m sure it can help you! I met my target this month which was go hit my 10k distance and I have now got to 12k! You can do it!
Take care and stay safe x
I started running two years ago, after my beloved grandpa died. It was also the year after my 21st birthday where my father and I fell out over very silly things. So as you can imagine my head was not where it was before. I read so many blogs and peoples stories about running where they say running saved their life. Some people laugh at this but actually for some, it’s true. On more than one occasion it has literally save my life. It helped me get over the loss of my grandfather and helped me in 2018 get over the fallout with my father. Now my running is still playing that same part, the gap filler. It is helping me get out the house (of course once a day due to lockdown) and helping me fill the gap that my father filled as we are no longer in contact. So yes, I am with those others when I say running has saved my life!
It is true that no one runs for fun. You run because you need, like me, a gap filler, a cheap easy way to keep fit. Or in the case of lockdown, as escape from your house. An escape from work or everyday life. You do begin to find running fun, I generally do enjoy running. Especially when I hit my goals. I try and set myself monthly running goals. This really helps keep things going. I wanted to give you some of my tips for running and some pointers to help you keep going. I have had a lot of people come to me lately asking how I keep going with my running and why they can’t seem to get anywhere, so here goes!
Meg’s helpful tips to keep running! Don’t give up! You started this for a reason!
1. Set yourself goals. I for one, set myself monthly goals. Don’t give yourself anything too hard that will push you to say, injure yourself. It can be simple things, like for example, when I first started out there used to be the same spot I used to stop at to catch my breath. So I set myself a target to not stop there, to either not stop at all or stop at a further spot. Set yourself distance goals, time goals. Anything!
2. Do the run as a loop not just a running to a destination and running back. That can be demoralising. I find if I run in a loop, I know when I’m almost home so it gives me that push to run that final but faster. It also helps with keeping a good even pace all the way through.
3. Stretch very well before hand. Until about a year ago I NEVER stretched. I then hurt myself time and time again and couldn’t work out why I always had sore feet or legs. It’s because I never stretched. If you need some stretching ideas, let me know, I have a small routine I have put together I’d love to share with you! And now I’m injury free!
4. Tell people about your progress. When I first started out and still to this day, I always tell my mum about my run. It helps me feel good about myself even if it was rubbish. It helps me reflect on it and think what I could do next time. Talking helps.
5. Take photos on your run, you may go to some different places that are glorious and it’s nice to share. I find myself taking pictures all the time and remembering where I went and wanting to return. Seeing lovely views helps you spur on your run and want to go further and try out new places.
I hope that helps those of you new runners keep going. It does get easier, and more enjoyable. Please talk to me about your running. I love people talking to me about running because I am a passionate believer of it helping people mentally and obviously physically. It’s been my life line and I’m sure it can help you! I met my target this month which was go hit my 10k distance and I have now got to 12k! You can do it!
Take care and stay safe x
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