FIVE RUNS TO KICKSTART YOUR RUNNING BEFORE THE YEAR RUNS OUT
You don't need to wait until the year ends to start these runs.
It can be hard to start running. I know. And we can make it even harder by piling ridiculous expectations on ourselves. We must run for 30 minutes. We need to run hard. We can only run alone. We can’t have fun. We have to run at that park or this track and not somewhere new or somewhere easier.
Stop it! Running is hard enough. Why do we make it even harder? It’s moronic. If you’re looking to start running, start running again, or start your running over… can I please ask you to stop sabotaging yourself? And you can do that by setting yourself up for success here at the start of your running journey or just the start of your next run You do not need to run long or hard or seriously when you are starting or startive over or starting again. In fact… don’t!
The goal is to end your runs wanting to run again. Do that and guess what? You’ll be more likely to run again and run again soon! That’s it. That’s the secret. Pretty dumb secret, right? Especially since it’s not a secret at all! We just do certain things in really dumb ways. And if we do those dumb things consistently enough we can convince ourselves that those dumb ways of doing things are the only ways to do it. We have the capacity to convince ourselves of just about anything no matter how asinine. So let me be clear… the “deep state” is not forcing you to run like a fool, do boring runs and treat yourself like a jerk out there on that boring run.
Okay, let’s go over a few runs you can do right now that will kickstart your running here at the end of the year. No need to wait for the calendar to flip. There is a starting line waiting for you to cross right now. Yes, even here at the end of December.
DO A SHORT RUN: Like really short. Like so short you're wondering whether or not the run even counts as a run. Spoiler alert: It does count! 5 minutes. 500 meters. Whatever! Doesn’t matter! What matters is that you started a run and ran! Without the pressure of running far you’ll be more likely to start a run and that will lead to the promised land… consistency. But for now let’s just focus on this run… this short run.
DO A SPEED RUN: Fast is fun! At least it’s supposed to be. And a Speed Run is a great way to mix things up with your training. And Speed Runs themselves are wildly diverse. And that means you can do all sorts of different paces and efforts and distances and duration on different terrains. And… I need to stop starting sentences with the word and. So head out the door and do some strides or some intervals or a fartlek or a tempo run or a hill workout or a little bit of them all. Whatever seems like the most fun wins. You decide. The goal is to kickstart your running and I think one of the best ways to do that is to let it rip.
DO A GROUP RUN: Get the word out! You’re getting the band back together again. That’s right! Pack it up. Group up. Assemble! Pick a time and a place and tell your friends, family, former teammates, that you are creating a starting line for everyone to cross together. Sometimes the best run is a run with others. Make the run about conversation and catching up and laughter and sharing and support and you’ll find that the running gets taken care of while you take care of each other. I’ll tell you something else… setting up a run and inviting others to that run is a great way to almost guarantee you get a run in. Because you’ll show up for someone else more than you’ll show up for yourself. I wish we all showed up for ourselves as much as we did for others… but that’s another post entirely.
DO A RUN HOME: This one take a little planning. Not much. But a little bit. Sometimes when I know I’m crunched on time I’ll tell my wife or one of my kids or co-workers to drop me off a mile or two or three away from home on our way back from errands, or school or work. I mean I got to get home right? And if I’m left on the side of the road I have limited choices. Besides, I just asked to be dropped off. So, I run home. I don’t need to worry about where I’m going or whether or not I’ll really leave my home to run. I’ve been abandoned on the side of the road remember. And I asked for it! So, if you’re looking for an idea that leaves you basically only the option to run… this is your answer.
DO A RUN THAT ENDS WITH FOOD, DRINK AND MERRIMENT: Sometimes the hardest part of a run is crossing the starting line. But when you know that somewhere on the other side that finish line you’re running yourself too is pizza or burgers or a cold adult soda or buffalo wings and some good tunes and great company and laughs and hugs and singing… well, I think you will have the motivation to start that run. End at your house or a favorite dive bar or a park with food and drink waiting for you. End your run at a running store or restaurant. Remember that you can decide what the purpose of your run is. And I think that getting together with friends and celebrating that you are friends is a great purpose for a run to have. So, don’t hesitate to start your run with the end in mind.
There you go. Just a few runs that you can start today here at the end of the year that can start your running before the start of the new year.
See you on that next starting line!
Cheers,
Coach Bennett
I WANT YOU TO JOIN BEST RUNNER EVER: WINTER EDITION
You know you want to join BRE! This February the great coach tammie of Show Up Society and I are teaming up for this fantastic four week program. It’s going to be great and fun and inspiring and motivating and a whole bunch of other words that are associated with AWESOME. So check out all the details here!
One more thing… a registration in Best Runner Ever: Winter Edition is a TERRIFIC GIFT IDEA for anyone and everyone you care about. And that someone could be YOU!
NEW COACH BENNETT’S PODCAST EPISODES READY FOR YOU!
So many podcast episodes for you. Here are links to the last 3 episodes of Coach Bennett’s Podcast with links to both Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
A MESSAGE FOR THE END OF THE YEAR OR ANY OTHER TIME OF YEAR
Click on the post and listen up. Because you can’t take care of others as best as you can unless you take care of yourself as best as you can.
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Cheers,
Coach Bennett