So to silence this discouraging voice I have found a few things that help.

1. Music does help and I make sure my playlist is foolproof; that is no song comes on that I want to skip.




2. Making a goal and sticking to it.  If I plan ahead of time what I want to accomplish I usually do it but if I start out running without a goal then I am free to do whatever I feel like which means at the slightest discomfort I give in.  For example:  I must decide on my route before I start running or I will only go for 25 minutes and I won’t push myself or if I don’t tell myself I need to work on my speed then I just putt along at a leisurely pace and I don’t get a good workout.




3. I went to a running workshop about Chi running and it drastically improved my running and helped me win my mental battle.  Chi running helps you to focus on your body’s alignment, breathing and cadence (steps per minute).  Since I have all this to focus on I have not time to listen to that pesky voice.




4. I have always wanted to try to listen to a book while I run and have the hope that it will help the time go by faster.  I also wonder if this would affect my pace.  Has anyone tried this?

Think about how you are going to arm yourself during your mental battle so that you don’t give in.  Usually I find I am stronger than I give myself credit for so I just need to push through and keep going.

It is a miracle.

I am training for the Moab Half Marathon which is on March 20.  (Yes, that date is right)

I have a friend and we decided to help motivate each other by running with each other every Monday night.  I am so glad to have a running partner; it really helps to keep you motivated and I recommend it to anyone who wants to start running.  Even if you don’t get together but you just communicate weekly or daily about it.  I used to text a group of people when I ran just so that I had someone to answer to.  Anyways, I am very glad to have a partner.

We did a 4 mile loop and I had to walk four different times due to being out of breath and having side aches.  My knees also go really stiff and my body was screaming at me but that’s how the first run is.  I haven’t been running in almost 4 months so really, what did I expect?

We did it in 40 minutes which I was happy about but of course I got teased about from Clint.

Here are some tips to start running whether you are a beginner or just starting up again:

1:  Tell yourself when you are starting, plan it into your schedule and stick to it.

2:  Get a training plan so that you have a schedule and cater it to what you can do.  I always get on Runners World and just fill in the info and it gives you a training plan.  For me I am more motivated to run every other day.  It is too daunting to go every day and I usually will talk myself out of it but if I know I have a rest day I can stick to the plan.  So be honest with yourself and what you can do and then once you feel like you need more then add more.

3.  Listen to your body but also push yourself.  If you feel like you need to walk look ahead and find a point where you are going to begin walking and then where you are going to begin running again.  That way you won’t just decide to keep walking because let’s face it, walking feels better and is much easier than running.  Remember, this is new so don’t injure yourself on your first run.

4.  Go for at least 30 minutes.

5.  Remember it doesn’t help to go running once a week and why go through the first runs pain if you aren’t going to stick to it.

6.  Remember the first run is always really hard but it gets better each time.  Stick with it and don’t get discouraged if you don’t lose weight right away, give yourself at least a month to see a noticeable difference and to feel a noticeable difference.  (Don’t let this discourage you because you will get stronger each run but I see so many people run for a week and quit because they haven’t lost 10 lbs or can’t run an 8 min mile.  You’ve got to give yourself some time.)

7.  Figure out what motivates you to run.  Is it music?  Get an MP3 player.  Is it food?  Allow yourself a little something to splurge on.  Is it TV or movies?  Whatever it is reward yourself for your efforts and remind yourself of your reward.  (I enjoy music but stress out that I won’t hear the crazy man sneaking up behind me so I am constantly looking behind me.  Hope I didn’t scare anyone but hey, that comes with womanhood.)

8.  Sign up for a race; it is a great motivator and try to get someone to do it with you.  If you can’t sign up for a race you should attend one and cheer people on.  It is a great motivator when you see an 80 year old running a marathon or to see the wheelchair competitors or to see a runner leading a blind runner!  Anyone can participate!

Running is an individual sport and it is a great community to be a part of.  Everyone who runs is aware that it is a personal sport and that everyone has a Personal Best (PB) and they are really supportive and excited with you.  Everyone is on a different level; it is just fun to be a part of it.

It is beautiful March and it is the perfect time to start running!

Enjoy!


p.s. Please comment and leave your personal running tips!