How I Got Started- Running Addition

Lately, probably because I am a stay at home wife who has no life yet, all I feel like I do is run. To be honest it has been nice. I can run whenever I want and take as long as I want to recover.

But everyone in my personal life has been asking for advice on how I got started running and any tips I have for making it a habit. Once I got to talk I had so much more to say that I figured, I will feature a run topic on the blog at least occasionally, because maybe others have similar questions.

I want to set the bar straight here and once and for all.

Running is so hard for me. It is a mental battle I play with myself everytime I lace up my shoes. I spend so much time all day or night trying to talk myself out of running. It's so hard for me. It takes me a good 3 miles to feel into a run, so short runs are the hardest form me. Hills make me so out of breath I consider walking them every single time. Running is not easy for me and it never has been. I have to find my own personal motivation to get out of bed and not just put on my shoes, but walk out that door.

The number one thing I tell people when they ask how to get started:

Stop Making Excuses

I make excuses every day, we all do. But you need to just look at running as not an option a requirement. Do you feed yourself? Brush your teeth? Do Laundry? Well running is a requirement to get by from now on.

Plan for your Excuses

When I worked full time as soon as I got home I would never leave the house again. So I started packing my gym bag and going right after work.

Now when I know I am running in the morning- I wear my gym clothes to bed- gross I know- but It minimizes my excuses in the morning.

I buy cliff bars for pre run fuel so I have something in my stomach, and I sleep with water by my bed. I also know if I set my alarm I will get up. If I only set my husbands, I will snooze through that baby.

Find something that motivates you that isn't food

Music is big for me. I used to play instruments and so music really gets into my school. I even went into college as a music major and switched majors afterwards. So I find music, tons of it, that I can focus on to get through my run.

And remember- everyone starts somewhere. ^ was my very first race a 5k back in 2011. I was slow, man was I slow, but over time, because I kept up with running, I got better. So much better. My body doesn't ache after small runs, I recover faster after long runs, and I feel good about myself.

The best inspiration quote I have heard thus far about the beginning being so hard:

"It's hard so you remember what it's like, so you never go back there again"