If you follow me on Instagram, which you probably do if you're reading this blog, you know that during all of the COVID craziness I trained for a half marathon, marathon, and now, an ultramarathon! I didn't get to actually race in actual races, but ran the distance just to run it. I think some people think that's a little crazy, myself included LOL.
My first half marathon in 2013 is a story for another blog honestly, but I will say, prior to training for that half I had only ever run 1 mile on a treadmill.
I had never ran an organized race or even run outside just to run...I was embarrassed to and thought I was "too overweight" at 120 lbs, which is another blog post on its own. You guys I had such a toxic mindset! I also want to disclose that although you'll see lots of race pictures on this blog, before COVID I had not run at all other than the occasionally 5k once a year in almost four years. So don't you look at me was this experienced runner who knows what the heck she's talking about. Most of my life is spent winging it! Anyways, this leads me to my first point before I give you some tangible advice, but I genuinely, truly, 100% believe that if you want to run a distance, you can run it.
Make a plan and stick to it.
First things first, you need a damn plan! I made a calendar, stuck it on my fridge, and made sure to always get my runs in! There's something about seeing your calendar every day and crossing off what you've done.
Now, my plan was NOT just a random plan I wrote myself! I always follow marathon rookie for my half marathons. There's so many different apps, websites, books, and whatnot out there. Just decide on a distance, pick a plan, and go for it!
Find a running buddy.
I 100% would not have been as successful as I was if I didn't have my husband to run my long runs with. Every single race, I've had friends virtually or in-person that I ran with during training. If I'm being really honest, it's a social event! You know you're meeting up, you talk during your runs, and you even have stuff to talk about AFTER your runs. If there's one thing runners love to do more than actually run, it's talk ABOUT running LOL. Once races are a thing again post-covid, they are SO much freakin fun! You get to travel with friends to accomplish a huge goal and explore. There is nothing better!
Listen to David Goggin's audible on your runs.
My husband suggested this to me when I first started getting back into running. I was SUPER skeptical, but honestly, I think it was fuels me to this day. No review I could write about the book would do it justice. LISTEN TO IT!
Thanks for sticking around if you're still here. I appreciate you! And don't forget, no matter the distance, if you run, you're a runner!
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