3 Tips for Getting Back into Running

We all know change is hard so here are 3 tips for getting back into running.

For me, shifting from the habits of the last few months of not running, being a Netflix junky, drinking too much and not cooking – to running, cooking and engaging with the world a little more, is tricky.

But this week, while the Blerch hung about, the little voice was a little quieter. Mostly. More on that later.

So I’ve managed 3 runs, a little over 14 miles in total with the longest being 5 ½. I’ve done what I need to do for my back which I’ve had issues with in the past. Pretty healthy eating. Managed to take some action around next steps for my day job.

 

So what I’ve learned …

 

Food is a lot tastier if it’s cooked from scratch

Yep, cooking can be a pain and in so many ways it’s so much easier to eat crap! But, this week I’ve been on a cooking frenzy – hummus, corn fritters with avocado salsa, stuff with potato and red onion mash, and quinoa salad with zucchini and pine nuts (recipes to follow). Good stuff. I tend to make big batches so it lasts multiple meals. By Thursday I couldn’t be bothered so got to eat all the leftovers – a real mishmash but a tasty one! Let’s see if I can keep it up.

 

Good food = better running

Yes, my miles are still low and slow but already I’m starting to feel stronger. It’s amazing what just a few days of good eating does for a woman! It’ll be important to remember this over the coming weeks and months.

 

Just run, don’t think about it

Like most of us, if I waited to feel motivated to run, it’d never happen! Sod the motivation. Get a timetable and stick to it is my way around the motivation gap. Arrange to run with other folks, bribe yourself with a promise of a glass of wine, find some woods to go run in. Whatever works. Put on the running shoes and get out the door – it gets pretty good after that!

 

The hardest run was on Thursday. I was lucky enough to be able to work from home thus avoiding the 2½ hours of daily commuting. I started at 8.30am and worked through until 6pm pretty much without a break – and I wasn’t yet finished. I did not want to run but in the spirit of not thinking about it, I put on my shoes, got out the door and ran. And yep, it was a rubbish run. It happens. I got over it. I went home, did another couple of hours work, and life was good after that.

Thankfully I had yesterday off (ahh, the good life). I had such brilliant plans – things to do, people to see. I’m pretty sure you know where I’m going with this….The Blerch struck back with full force …on came the Netflix and the day disappeared. It was a lovely slovenly day!

 

(September 2016)