Tips To Become A Lifetime Runner
How To Become A Lifetime Runner
We think that many passionate runners will agree that their love for running didn’t simply appear in a single morning. Like with most sports, there has to be some kind of motivator that entices one into becoming an advocate for that specific type of physical activity. Whether your goal is to discover a healthy hobby, lose some extra weight, or clear your mind so that you are more focused on life as a whole, taking up running usually comes with other ulterior motives.
But when the bug bites, you start to enjoy the sport purely for what it is – a thrilling experience. You will start to push your body to new heights as you master your footing and navigate your way through routes that extend themselves beyond distances that you never thought you’d be able to walk, let alone run.
It’s at this time that your ulterior motives become an afterthought and your newfound interest becomes a novelty that you just can’t get enough of. Novelties often wear off, however, or life becomes busy and complicated, leaving little room for physical activities. This is where we step in. We’re here to encourage you to make the time and to push through so that you become a lifetime runner. Running can be good for so many aspects of your life, we don’t want to lose momentum and drop it altogether.
So, if you have running on your mind and would like to make it a permanent part of your world, we advise you to consider the following.
It Starts with Motivation
While running starts with a motivator, you need to remain constantly motivated throughout so that you can keep the momentum going. While the adrenaline is often enough to encourage you to put your trail running shoes on, sometimes we find ourselves falling into a comfort zone where all of a sudden running becomes a chore instead of a passion. So, we suggest that you set yourself goals and reward yourself when you reach them. From beating your running time to winning races or attempting your first marathon, attaining goals can become a healthy addiction that keeps your feet moving forward. Remember to reward yourself too, you deserve it!
Equip Yourself
Do yourself a favour and invest in a pair of comfortable trainers and running clothes that breathe well. These two things can make all the difference. The trainers will not only help to prevent you from injuries but they will peak your performance giving you that supportive boost of encouragement that you will need at the beginning of your journey – same goes for wearing the proper running attire. All the other running accessories are awesome to have, but you can get by without them at first.
Enjoy The Good, Endure The Bad
The bad news is that it’s not going to be easy. Your body’s going to hurt, you’re going to have to make certain sacrifices, and before you are energised, you’re going to feel tired, sometimes exhausted beyond measure. The good news is that the “bad” is all part of the adventure and once you come out on the other side, you’re going to feel even better than before. You’ll realise just how much your body and mind are capable of – what you’re capable of!
Baby Steps
If you jump into the fire you’re going to get burnt – and you’re not going to like it! Forget about running 5 miles on your first try. Realistically, you will probably run for a minute and then walk for a minute, repeating this pattern until you’re simply hobbling along. The trick is to work your way to marathon running gradually. At the next attempt, run for two minutes and then walk for one and then by your 4th week, you’ll be running for 5, walking for 1, until the walking part disappears altogether. Remember we mentioned goals? Working your way up with baby steps is one of them.
Make A Plan Of Action
Knowing what you are running towards will help you to keep your feet on the ground while your head is in the clouds. Once the running bug bites, what type of results would you like to see? Would you like to race? Perhaps complete lengthy marathons? Maybe you have a passion for nature and would love to take up trail running? If you have a plan then you’re more likely to stick to one. A plan can also include scheduling in days for training, running, and rest, so that you can enjoy your new physical activity without dropping the ball in other areas of your life.
Sidestep Injuries
If you push yourself too hard at the beginning, you make your body more susceptible to injuries. While you recover, you might get cushy and become demotivated and the result is that you stop running altogether. This means that, firstly, you want to try t0 prevent injuries from occurring. You can do this by training gently at first and by following a protein-filled diet. Secondly, in the event that you do acquire an injury at some point in your running career, take time off to heal but set your self a serious goal to get back into the saddle once your doctor gives you a thumbs up.
Control Your Weight
As a runner, the heavier you are then the more you have to carry with you as you run, making the sport harder than it needs to be. If running is your goal, however, don’t let your weight demotivate you. Simply work on a healthy diet and, well, keep running! Running is an excellent way to burn calories and tone your muscles.
Reflect
Last but not least, we would like to persuade you to take the time to reflect on the goals you have achieved along the way. From the moment you decided to run to taking those first few steps, that in itself is a great achievement that’s worthy of some good thought. Reflecting on your sport will also help you to pinpoint flaws and obstacles, which you can then work on to perfect your game. If you can proudly reflect on where you have come from, the road ahead will be a happier one to follow.
Sources:
- Seven Tips For Becoming A Better Distance Runner – The Guardian
- Simple Secrets to a Lifetime of Running – Runner’s World
- 10 Easy Ways to Become a Runner – Daring to Live Fully
