“Katieeee, I need some motivation for a 10k I’ve just signed up for”
This is exactly why I run. Being the ‘runner’ friend gives you the greatest pleasure in the world. No matter how successful you see yourself as a runner, when a friend comes to you for running advice, it’s empowering. I won’t lie. So, without further introductions, here’s your motivation. I hope this helps.
It’s possible
No, really. It is. If you’re a totally new runner, ’10K’ might seem overwhelming. Don’t let it be. It’s 6.2 miles.
“Yeah, yeah, you’re a runner that’s easy for you” I know what you’re thinking. And yes, 6.2 miles isn’t too difficult of a challenge for me right now. But that’s because I’ve trained myself, I’ve finished two half marathons and I’m marathon training right now.
But for you, that’s irrelevant. Me telling you how many races I’ve done and I’ll be doing is besides the point and unhelpful. What’s important for you is getting yourself through the 6.2 miles and over the finish line, mentally and physically. Here’s how.
Training, obviously, but not religiously
If you ask any coach or race finisher how to cope with a newly signed up race, one of the first words they will voice is ‘train’. But please, please, please don’t roll your “that’s obvious, I’m not stupid” eyes at me yet. Training is hard, and yes, obvious. But there’s so much more to it than just running before to practice.
If you’ve never put a pair of trainers on and gone for a run, my advice is take it easy. Take it slower and easier than you think you should. Don’t jump the gun thinking it will be easy. I know it might sound strange for me to say don’t excitably throw yourself into the training, but listen. Running is hard, for any human at any level. So here’s my step by step advice if you’re serious about going from coach potato to 10K finisher:
- Get a running buddy.
- Buy yourself a (cheap) set of running clothes. For goodness sake, the stuff is expensive, save GymShark attire for your first marathon. Primark it.
- Decide when you’re going to want to run.
- Write that day down.
- Before the day, get yourself a ‘Running’ playlist. Spotify it. Deezer it. iPod it if you must. I’ll be here soon enough to provide you with my top running songs. But now, here’s a fun fact… Good tunes boost your overall running performance by 15% (says Dr Costas Karageorghis in his book entitled ‘Inside Sport Psychology’). It’s not just me, it’s fact.
- When Wednesday evening finally creeps up on you, step outside.
- Stretch, properly. (watch this space for guidance…)
- Start by walking, seriously. Your body needs to warm up first. If you’ve never run before, you’re probably in enough shock as it is. Prepare your heart, your lungs and your legs.
- Warmed up now? Jog. Whether it’s a few yards or a mile, well done you.
- You’re a runner.
If you have delved into the complex love-hate imbalance of running, aka, you did a 10k a couple years ago, but you’ve sort of fizzled out and stopped… use the same advice. Build it up at your own pace. Use it how you wish.
Try to enjoy it
Running can be hard, especially if you’ve never done it before, but it is so rewarding. You might hate running, but that might be a love-hate relationship between you and running. You just might find something you love. You might find yourself. I’m serious!
Running will take you places, not just those six long hard miles of your first proper ‘race’. There’s a whole community of happy, healthy, encouraging runners out there. We all know the world needs more of them because they ignite positivity. Are you the next long distance firework?
Now that my sparkling metaphors are finished, there you have it. Dearest friend and loyal reader, I hope I have aided you in some way. Stress-heads (like me), do ask if there’s something you still want me to address in my running handbook to you. Fellow runners, what are your thoughts? To you all, good luck and believe in you. And remember, rearrange the word impossible to find the truth… (hint: it says I’m Possible)
