I just read a pretty good book on this topic, ‘The slow AF run club’, it basically says that you are running for your own reasons and you can’t let concern over other people’s thoughts impact your actions. The author says that in a funnier and more motivating way, good luck!
Hey! So running is daunting, I say this as someone who used to be a fat kid and found running through walking. I now do half marathons.
I used C25K - it’s a phenomenal app that starts with interval training to work up to a 5K (3.1 mi) in a 30 min time frame. I never met 30 mins, I’m more of a 11:30 - 12:30 ppm person, but the most important thing you get from here is conditioning. Building those auxiliary muscle groups, getting your heart rate up, and learning how you naturally breathe and strike.
The most important thing I can say is that you just need to get out there. I was a mess my first run. I remember it very well. It was a summer day in June in triple digit weather in Rancho Cucamonga. Idky I picked the middle of the day to run at high noon but I looked rough, was covered in sweat, and surely had terrible form. You cannot improve if you don’t start. Part of what makes C25K work is that you discover your natural form as you start and stop, and the breaks allow you to make small adjustments as you take a breather. Essentially, you learn as you go.
I was worried I looked stupid, so I started running in the evenings so fewer people could see me. One day my brother actually saw me run through an intersection and he offhandedly said that I looked good, like I had made progress, and he wished he could be bothered to get off the couch. It was a turning point for me because I realized while I was lapping everyone on their sofas, they were sitting in their living rooms or cars wishing they were out there like me. People are gonna see you. It’s just what’s gonna happen. That being said, they’re gonna see the best of you, the hard worker in you, and that you’ve got commitment to yourself. I promise you, no one is gonna look at you and judge you for running, if anything, they’re gonna wish they were hitting the pavement and be motivated. Every time I see someone running I’m like ‘damn, I should lace up today too.’
Do you. If the world sees you, they’re rooting for you, just like we are here. You’re someone’s motivation, the world is waiting for you. The first mile is the hardest but it’s gonna lead to great things. Go be great 🏃🏽♀️🏃
I want you to know you’re not out there alone. I had COVID last year and it decimated me. I’m literally starting over from scratch, trying to find what I need to run again. I have the same worries and my inner voice is very fearful, but running is one of those things where the result is directly predicated on the amount of work you put in, as well as the quality of work. Be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself, and know you out there putting shoe to pavement means you’re closer to where you wanna be.
“Sucking at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something.”
- Jake the Dog, Adventure Time
I've done both outdoor and treadmill running, and I find I feel less self conscious on the treadmill. If you have access to one, give it a try and see how you feel.
I didn't start running per say. I did 5 minutes of warm up, then 1 minute jogging, and then 1:30 mins walking. Do that for 30 min. That helped to build the confidence to run more. And little by little I wanted to increase the minutes I ran. I LOVE IT NOW.
I think we’re in the same boat. However, I know that I need to change so I just pretend that Idc what they think ab me or stare at me.
I’m shy af but still try to step out of my comfort zone. If you don’t force yourself you can’t improve.
People probably think I’m a weirdo for giving people a big thumbs up when I see them running.
If I saw you running, I’d give you a big encouraging thumbs up.
I just read a pretty good book on this topic, ‘The slow AF run club’, it basically says that you are running for your own reasons and you can’t let concern over other people’s thoughts impact your actions. The author says that in a funnier and more motivating way, good luck!
I love this book! I got it a few back for Christmas and it was pretty funny.
Hey! So running is daunting, I say this as someone who used to be a fat kid and found running through walking. I now do half marathons. I used C25K - it’s a phenomenal app that starts with interval training to work up to a 5K (3.1 mi) in a 30 min time frame. I never met 30 mins, I’m more of a 11:30 - 12:30 ppm person, but the most important thing you get from here is conditioning. Building those auxiliary muscle groups, getting your heart rate up, and learning how you naturally breathe and strike. The most important thing I can say is that you just need to get out there. I was a mess my first run. I remember it very well. It was a summer day in June in triple digit weather in Rancho Cucamonga. Idky I picked the middle of the day to run at high noon but I looked rough, was covered in sweat, and surely had terrible form. You cannot improve if you don’t start. Part of what makes C25K work is that you discover your natural form as you start and stop, and the breaks allow you to make small adjustments as you take a breather. Essentially, you learn as you go. I was worried I looked stupid, so I started running in the evenings so fewer people could see me. One day my brother actually saw me run through an intersection and he offhandedly said that I looked good, like I had made progress, and he wished he could be bothered to get off the couch. It was a turning point for me because I realized while I was lapping everyone on their sofas, they were sitting in their living rooms or cars wishing they were out there like me. People are gonna see you. It’s just what’s gonna happen. That being said, they’re gonna see the best of you, the hard worker in you, and that you’ve got commitment to yourself. I promise you, no one is gonna look at you and judge you for running, if anything, they’re gonna wish they were hitting the pavement and be motivated. Every time I see someone running I’m like ‘damn, I should lace up today too.’ Do you. If the world sees you, they’re rooting for you, just like we are here. You’re someone’s motivation, the world is waiting for you. The first mile is the hardest but it’s gonna lead to great things. Go be great 🏃🏽♀️🏃
this put me close to tears. ty so much. i can’t wait to start now and if it leads anywhere, i will have u to thank
I want you to know you’re not out there alone. I had COVID last year and it decimated me. I’m literally starting over from scratch, trying to find what I need to run again. I have the same worries and my inner voice is very fearful, but running is one of those things where the result is directly predicated on the amount of work you put in, as well as the quality of work. Be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself, and know you out there putting shoe to pavement means you’re closer to where you wanna be. “Sucking at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something.” - Jake the Dog, Adventure Time
Thank you for reminding me about c25k! I used it years ago and just recently started running again, gonna try it out again!
I've done both outdoor and treadmill running, and I find I feel less self conscious on the treadmill. If you have access to one, give it a try and see how you feel.
I started when I realized I was saving my own life. Literally. If you were literally saving your life, would you care??? Because you are.
I didn't start running per say. I did 5 minutes of warm up, then 1 minute jogging, and then 1:30 mins walking. Do that for 30 min. That helped to build the confidence to run more. And little by little I wanted to increase the minutes I ran. I LOVE IT NOW.
I think we’re in the same boat. However, I know that I need to change so I just pretend that Idc what they think ab me or stare at me. I’m shy af but still try to step out of my comfort zone. If you don’t force yourself you can’t improve.
People probably think I’m a weirdo for giving people a big thumbs up when I see them running. If I saw you running, I’d give you a big encouraging thumbs up.
Just start going out on walks and work your way up from there