Running was our first true love when it comes to fitness and has been a cornerstone of our routine since the very beginning. It was actually what started our journey to find health, wellness and happiness. What started as a way to let out stress and manage some emotional time in our lives, led us to where we are today with The Realness Project.
Running also brought us closer as sisters, and got our family on the path of fitness too. It’s a great family activity!
But this isn’t just an appreciation post for running. Running has tons of benefits - it’s a great cardio workout, it teaches you discipline and mental resiliency, and you can do it literally anywhere. But how many times have you heard, or thought, but I HATE running. It’s one of those things that people have really strong opinions about - you either absolutely HATE running or you absolutely LOVE it and can’t shut up about it (guilty).
But let’s be real - even if you love running, you don’t love every run. Most times, it's hard and your legs feel heavy and your heart is about to explode and there’s sweat in your eyes. But every once in a while, you have this magical, bouncy, beautiful run. And that, my friends, is why we keep coming back for more - searching for the unicorn.
Have we convinced you to run yet? While it may not become your unicorn, we do suggest you give it a chance, if for no other reason than you can do it anywhere with little equipment and it’s a guaranteed great workout no matter where you are or how much time you have.
So what do you need? Great shoes. Highly suggest going to a running store and figuring out your stride so you can get fitted. Having the right shoes will avoid so many injuries and unnecessary pains (shin splints, IT band pain, etc.). If you’re a girl, get a supportive bra. That’s it!
How do you start? To be a runner, you need to run. You don’t need to run for more than 30 seconds at a time but you need to get out there and just do it. There are amazing resources out there and our favorite thing is to follow the Couch to 5K plan. It’s 3x per week for 9 weeks and progresses slowly so it feels really manageable. There’s even an app for it that will guide you through every run so you don’t event have to think about it! Currently, our favorite app is Nike Running Club and it also has a bunch of features like Headspace, music, and in-app coaching that adapts to your schedule and your performance. If you’re an extrovert, join your local running club. Whatever gets you out there and keeps you moving.
How do you keep going? Sign up for races! It’s the best way to stay motivated and they are so much fun! We are both loners when it comes to running but love going to fun runs and races to keep the spirits up. Training for a race also gives you no excuses because trust me, you don’t want to run a half-marathon without training for it. And you know, you get medals and t-shirts and stuff.
But what about technique? If you’re starting out, you’re in luck! Because you can pay attention to your running form before you fall into bad habits. Most of all, focus on lifting and kicking up your feet (this video is the best way to show it)
And if you hate it at first, give it a chance - we promise it’s not as bad once you get into it and feel the runner’s high!
Ready to start? We can help you train! Not only will we provide guidelines on nutrition and fueling your runs, but we can build you a personalized training plan for your goals. Message us to find out more!