How to Fall in Love with Running: A Beginner’s Guide

There are some things we love doing, and there are hosts of others that we’d much rather not do. This holds true for running as well. If you have tried your hand at running and didn’t like it much, it might be a good idea to investigate why. Who knows, this time around you might just fall in love with running!

1. List the reasons

You may be eager to know how to fall in love with running. First things first. Think about what you did not like about running and write them down. Was the weather too hot or too cold? Maybe you weren’t sporting the right apparel or shoes. Did you run with a friend whose pace did not match yours? Or perhaps, the distance was too long or the location unappealing. Once you’ve figured the factors that did not work, try mixing up the variables to see if you love running this time around.

2. Educate yourself

Do you feel you know enough about running? If not, it’s time you fixed it. When you understand the science behind running, you not only appreciate it, but also become aware of the right techniques. Becoming educated about the sport will go a long way in strengthening your commitment to it. 

3. Zero in on an objective

Your next step is to figure out what you want from running. This is one of the most crucial points in the beginner’s running guide. There are plenty of reasons why runners do what they do. Some run to de-stress, others to improve fitness, maintain weight, or build muscle. What about you? Are you running to improve a medical condition such as high blood pressure, or do you want to simply become robust and run longer? Figuring out why you want to run can be a very powerful exercise.

4. Chalk a routine

Let’s take it a step further. How can you apply running to your life and make it work for you? 

There are countless things that can interfere with your running schedule. But to be consistent, you have to prioritize your runs. The best way is to make a schedule and stick to it. Decide the time and the terrain that work best for you. A little bit of innovation helps, too — if it’s up your alley, consider listening to music or audiobooks while you run. 

Also read: Running Music: Your Guide To Getting Started

5. Make it a habit

Once you find out how do you fall in love with running and make it work for you, focus on making it part of your routine. It’s essential, simply because habits are hard to break. Also, connecting with other runners and taking up running challenges on fitness/ social apps will help make it fulfilling and rewarding. Alternatively, you could also find a running club or a buddy, who will keep you accountable if you need an extra hand in staying consistent. 

So, on days you don’t feel like heading for a run, ask yourself why you started in the first place. Most of the time, it’s simply enough to remember what you love about the sport to go back to it. So, get out there. follow this complete beginner’s guide to running and don’t be afraid to fall in love with running.

References
1. Keating L. The Best Tips To Help To Fall In Love With Running. ROCKAY. 2019; published online Jan, 06. https://rockay.com/blog/how-to-fall-in-love-with-running/#:~:text= The Best Tips To Help To Fall,done%2C plan it out in advance/ (accessed Feb 16, 2021).
2. Daniel D. How to Fall—and Stay—in Love with Running. Runner’s World. 2015; published online Jun, 22. https://www.runnersworld.com/women/a20780953/how-to-fall-and-stay-in-love-with-running/ (accessed Feb 16, 2021).