Be Like Brittany, Go That Block
When Liz suggested I write something for Brain Break about running, it had never even occurred to me that I could have the expertise to do such a thing. (Thanks for the ego boost, Liz!) The truth is, even after running six marathons* and going for relatively long runs every day, I still feel far from being an expert on the sport. But honestly, that’s kind of what I love most about running. It keeps me humble. It gives me something to practice, to work at daily. No matter how much I run, I can always improve my mileage or mile-time, and after completing my own small goals, I feel an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.
With running, getting started is 100% the hardest part. At this point in quarantine, I can run for miles with no problem. At the beginning, however, I hadn’t run distance for over a year, and my first run back was literal hell. I can imagine this is why a lot of people hate running, and I totally get it, because I’ve been there myself. My advice to skeptical runners would be this: Start small and try not to get discouraged. In the movie Brittany Runs a Marathon, Brittany begins her running journey by running only one block. It’s nearly impossible for her, but when she finishes, she feels a sense of pride and accomplishment that a lot of us don’t usually feel in our daily lives. (Spoiler alert: By the end of the movie, Brittany runs a full marathon—anyone can do it!)
Whenever I’m feeling stressed, anxious, insecure, lazy, unmotivated or unaccomplished (all of which I feel on the reg’ in quarantine), I push myself to run. Afterwards, I always feel better. It’s literally free therapy. The physical benefits of running are great, but nothing beats that runner’s high and the other psychological benefits that aren’t talked about as much. Even just spending time outside, in nature, in the sun, has done wonders for my mental health these days.
It’s cliché—but running has helped me learn to love myself. No matter the goal you set for yourself in distance, whether it’s one block, a 5k, a half-marathon or a full marathon, you should feel proud to accomplish that goal. Post that shit on IG! Join a running club! Do a Nike Run Club challenge! Sign up for that race! The running community is one of the most supportive and accepting groups I’ve ever encountered, and it’s always open to new members.
So, start by running (or walking!) a mile, or for 5 minutes without stopping, or take one lap around a track. Just like that: You lapped everyone sitting on the couch today. Congratulations! You’re officially a runner. Welcome to the club.
Some tips I’ve picked up along the way:
Find the perfect pair of running shoes for you. Running stores like Jackrabbit in NYC, or other specialty running stores, have professionals who can fit you with the perfect shoes for your body and even let you try them out! The right shoe can help prevent injuries, make your runs more enjoyable, and have you lookin’ fly AF.
Create a bomb music playlist or find a podcast series that you really like. I crushed Serial while prepping for one of my races, and I was so engaged that the miles flew by (almost) pain-free. Audiobooks are great for runs, too!
Start off slow. You need to walk before you can run—literally. If you don’t have much experience running, or feel a little out of shape, check out online running plans or apps, like Couch to 5K. The last thing you want is to become frustrated or injured by trying to run too much, too quickly.
On days when I’m really not in the mood to run, I get into my workout clothes, put on my running shoes, and tell myself that I’m going for a 5-minute walk. Sometimes, once you get out there, you will magically gain the motivation to run. Other times you won’t, and you’ll just go for that 5-minute walk—and that’s okay, too! Getting into the habit of putting on workout clothes and getting outside every day is an accomplishment in itself.
HAVE FUN! Couldn’t be a tip list without the most cliché tip of all. But seriously, no workout should be torture. Running isn’t for everyone and that’s totally fine. I go through stages in my life where I refuse to put on my running shoes. The greatest advice I can give is to find the way to move your body that feels best for you.
*Being a runner means slipping in a race-brag whenever you can.
