Everyone Can Run; Here’s Some Tips if You’re Just Starting

I have a love hate relationship with running. But let’s be serious, most runners likely do.

At eight years old, I ran my first cross country race and I’ve put A LOT of kilometres on since then. Yes, kilometres. I am Canadian and that is how we measure distance.

Amy and I are both runners. Two different styles however. Amy has the “speed” and I bring the “endurance”. One hundred metre race and she’ll crush me every time. I like to pace myself…whether I am running 1km or 20km, it’s a pretty consistent pace. Though, that’s not exactly what our high school track coach was looking for. My dad would always say to me “you should be so tired at the end of your race you can’t run anymore. You look like you could go run it all over again.” He was RIGHT, I could totally run that race all over again... but that was my pace (insert purple shirt, arm shrugging girl emoji and also a purple participation ribbon).

Running is a sense of accomplishment for myself... constantly striving to challenge myself. If I could give one piece of advice; stop comparing yourself to others and focus on improving your own skills. That is, unless of course you are headed for the Olympic Trials, you better compare yourself very closely to others, and I mean close, like milliseconds close. But this is not me, and not many of the population. Only a small fraction of us will go on to do this.

Running is PAINFUL, but worth it. What do I mean by painful? The bruises under my big toe nails, that hurt to walk or run after kilometre eight (maintain a nice pedicure and you sometimes forget about these bruises). Chafing….girl, if your legs touch (which is totally okay!) toss on some longer shorts. Bare Skin + Friction + Hot Day= see ya later inner thighs. Not to mention, the straight up sore legs and calves that you are welcomed with the next day.

Stretching alongside proper warm up and recovery is important. I’m no running coach, but trust me, you will feel so much better with a little warm up and some stretches.

Something I think everyone should do; run because it brings you some form of joy. I have always run because I enjoyed the activity of running, not because I wanted to compete as a runner. Now, that doesn’t mean the actual act of running is joyful. But I’m sure you can find SOMETHING about it that will bring you joy. Maybe, it’s the scenery of where you choose to run or the physical rewards it brings or the fact you get to talk to yourself the whole time. I’ve had a lot of conversations with myself, and the best part...no one ever talks back. Run because you want to, not because to NEED to.

Now, if you’re just getting started, I have a few tips for you:

• Strap the girls down- I don’t have much, but I sure can feel them moving.

• Fresh, dry socks- you are more prone to blisters when your socks are sweaty!

• I touched on it already- LONG shorts on a hot day.

• Braid or ponytail- buns will sag and come out as you run (and sometimes you will even lose your ponytail and stop by Amy’s to snag a new one).

• Roll your feet out with a tennis ball- don’t ask, just do it.

• Don’t carry what you don’t NEED- hydrate before and after. Unless you’re an ultra marathoner with no access to water on your route...there is likely no need to carry a water bottle.

• Tie your shoelaces up- shoelaces are there for a reason. Your shoes and feet will also thank you.

• Brush your teeth before you head out- easy breathing.

• Put your sunscreen on and embrace the racer back and sock tan lines.

Happy Running!!

-Kate