I can’t run

Running has had a huge impact on my life and has made me a much happier and well-rounded person. Therefore I am keen to encourage other people to give running a try and tell them about the positive effect it has not just on the body but also on the mind. 

However often people reply that they can’t run. They just can’t run. I am amazed how often I hear this from healthy friends. Running is probably one of the simplest sports there is. You don’t need to learn a technique like with swimming, you don’t need any special equipment and you don’t need to go to a pool. You just need some clothes and shoes. (When running longer distances proper running shoes are of course good.) And as long as you know how to walk and don’t have any serious physical condition you should be able to run. I am amazed how many people there are who won’t even consider giving running a try.

Saying this, although running is a simple sport it is also very hard to get started. I still remember going on my first run, having to walk several times to finish the 20 minute loop I wanted to run. It was hard. Very hard. I did not enjoy myself much while out there but I felt good afterwards for having gone for a run. Often people think that you are either born sporty or not. That it is in your genes if you are going to enjoy exercise or not. The thing is that if you haven’t done much exercise lately you cannot expect running to be easy. Your body is habit driven and if it hasn’t been running you will have to get it used to running and build the muscles first. The beautiful thing is that the more you go running the easier it will become. So if you have gone for one run and have decided that running is not for you because it is too hard then preserver! A very crucial thing here is to avoid the all or nothing approach. Don’t try to run 5 km on your first run and don’t be afraid to stop. It’s better you start running a short distance a few time a week than trying to run too far too often and stopping after a week or two because you’re not enjoying it. Persistence is key here. And don’t forget it will get easier. I was never a sporty child and hated PE or any physical activity. My brother was the sporty one in our family, not me. Now I love running and I am amazed that I have recently even started to enjoy really hard interval training. I used to hate it.

One thing which helps to get started with running is having a good reason why you run or a goal to aim for. It will be hard and reminding yourself why you want to go out running helps to keep at it. I am person who loves challenges and the possibility to challenge myself to run further every couple of weeks kept me going. I never thought I was able to run these distance until I did. I also really enjoy running races. Running in the middle of closed streets with people cheering you on will keep you coming back for more!

Run as far as you want to, run as slow as you want to, stop as often as you want to but get out there! You will not regret it!

Give running a try. It is a very beautiful thing. I wish someone had told me years ago about how running can change your life. It is hard to get started but preserver. All good things in this world need effort and hard work.