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This week I have a guest post from the lovely Lauren over at MyLifelines about how she tricked herself into long distance running.
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I’ve followed MyLifelines since the start of my blogging journey back in autumn last year. If you haven’t come across this blog before, it is all about women’s empowerment and living our best lives.
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MyLifelines is run by 3 lovely best friends Abby, Lauren and Jordan. I highly recommend you check it out! In particular, I love Women Wednesday which features interviews with and blog posts from amazing and inspirational women.
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I was chatting with Abby about my blog and how even though I have a category for Health and Fitness, it didn’t have very many posts in it! My focus up to now has mainly been around mental wellbeing and personal development but I’m conscious how relevant our physical health is to both these topics.
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So, Lauren has come to the rescue with her story of becoming a long distance runner and all the benefits she has gained. She also shares some tips and advice if you want to try running yourself. I hope you enjoy her guest post!
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This Is My No B.S. Article About How I Did It And What Happened To Get Me Here
Let’s be real, when I run, the only ‘runner’s high’ I get is the rush I get from finishing my run completely. I’m an average person, and if I can run a 10k, so can you.
The first 2 weeks are going to be terrible. There’s really no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
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Your lungs are going to scream and your legs are going to feel like lead anchors.
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Your mind is going to do everything in its power to tell you to stop. But, it is true what those super-athletic runners say: Running is an extremely mental activity.
And your brain will try every trick in the book to make you stop….
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Once, my brain tried to get me to stop because my left shoe felt sliiiightly looser than my right shoe.
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Dear brain – that’s just an excuse – keep going!
On that same note, make sure when you’re starting that you don’t push yourself too much. Set realistic running goals, which I’m not here to coach you on since my main goal with running is always survival!
There are tons of ‘Couch to 5k’ goal templates online.
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Meet those goals and try not to exceed them, even if you feel great at the time. Injuries happen this way. Long distance running (or even short distance) is a slow, slow progression. It is frustrating but you have to trust the process.
And, if you’re not where you think you should be, that’s totally okay, too. Running takes practice and a hell of a lot of commitment.
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Frustrated with your progress? Keep at it and you’ll be running 10ks in no time!
While you’re at it, pick up some weights at the gym. Do some squats. Anything with body weight. Cardio is great and all but I love the strong, accomplished feeling I get from lifting weights. I’ve also found that it helps me run up hills faster, so win-win.
Runner’s High?
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So, no, I have no idea what this mystical runner’s high is! I didn’t even get it when I used to bag 14 miles at a time in cross country. So, I don’t think it exists for me.
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I think the true high comes from the feeling of accomplishment when you make it a little farther or run a little faster each week.
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I’ve watched the numbers on the treadmill go up and up. A couple of years ago I couldn’t even run 5 minutes without gasping for air. Now I can make it to almost an hour, and honestly, my heart isn’t even beating that fast… Like really, who am I?!
I run in my city so I see more of it. I’ve got…running friends…?! I enjoy nature and trails and only almost get run over by a biker three times a week, which isn’t too bad. I get sad when it’s raining out because that means I have to run inside.
I’m feeling strong, accomplished and somehow like my life is more put together because I am meeting my fitness goals.
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Even if long distance running isn’t your thing, find something active that is. Your mood, your health, and your soul will thank you!
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Thanks Lauren. I definitely feel like going out for a run now even though I haven’t been running for a few years!
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I’m a bit out of the habit although I did used to run and once did a half marathon.
My experience with training for a long distance run was similar to Lauren’s. I started off small with a couch to 5k and then went from there. Eventually, I could run for about an hour without stopping too, so it is totally doable! I think I do get the runners high, but about 3 hours after the run, so it takes a while to kick in!
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As Laren says, if running really isn’t your thing there are loads of other forms of exercise you can try. I try and vary mine to avoid boredom. I’ve swum, ran, hill walked and gone to Zumba. Now I mainly do HIIT (high-intensity impact training) and weights. What all of these things have had in common are that no matter how bad I feel, they have always given me a mood boost and a sense of accomplishment.
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How about you? Have you experienced ‘runners high’? What types of exercise do you enjoy? Let us know in the comments.
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Other posts you may like:
Geraldine
Cool! I didn’t know you could do this. To be honest I never wanted to run long distance, however I always wanted to run and improve heart health. I tried a couch to 5k app on my phone and sadly never finished my second week 🙈 it definitely is a mental game but I wasn’t resolved enough to keep it going! I have treadmill in my house too so I have no excuse, really… Haha!! Thanks for sharing! 😄
Alison
It does get easier the more you do it, honest! 😀
Marie
I did the Cancer Research Race for Life a couple of times, but I walked most of it 🙊
Alison
Nothing wrong with that Marie 🙂
Chloe Chats
I definitely haven’t experienced runners high either haha. I used to run quite a lot and I took part in a few races, and the races once finished I suppose that gave me a bit of a high because you get a medal and a huge round of applause, but when I first started running it killed me, I had to get into it by running for 5 minutes, then walking, then running and so on. It takes a good while to get into it, I’m definitely out of practise now! Great post 🙂
Chloe xx
Alison
Thanks Chloe. Yes it’s a great feeling getting the medal!! 🙂
hanmwill
Runner’s High is definitely not something I’ve ever experienced and I’m really not sure I ever will, haha! Saying that though, I have experience cross trainer high in the gym, thats much more up my street! Wonderful guest post from Lauren, though!
Alison
Any type of exercise which gives you a high is definitely a bonus! 😀