I surprised myself recently by starting to run again. Now that I achieved my goal, I reflected on what I did that helped me have success. Here I share what worked for me.
I used to run, years ago when I was young, single and had heaps of time. I ran a half marathon and competed in duathlons and triathlons. I used to call myself a runner. It was fun, I felt fit and I enjoyed completing events and relishing in the achievement. I ran a bit when the kids were small and then I had a ski accident resulting in a knee injury with almost 2 years of rehabilitation. Following this I stopped running. Along with my fitness, my confidence to run dropped. I felt pain and thought it wasn’t worth it. And so I stopped being a runner.
Even 6 months ago I would have told you that I am not a runner. “I can’t run. I get too sore. My body just isn’t made for running. Other people run, not me.” So I walked, biked, swam and kept fit in other ways. I had come to believe that I was not a runner.
Last winter, I learnt how to skate ski. I took a few lessons and practised every week up at our local cross country ski area. I surprised myself and competed in a 21km ski race. I was so excited to have learnt something new, and to have competed in this race. But the race was hard work and at some stages the finish line felt too far away. I had to dig deep to get there.
Immediately after that event, I decided I needed to be stronger and fitter for next years race. I wanted to do the 21km ski race quicker, but more importantly, I wanted to enjoy it a whole lot more.
This was my motivator, to get better and faster at cross country skiing so I could have more fun.
So day one of lockdown 26th March 2020, I decided I needed a new goal. My goal for 2 months time was to be able to run comfortably for 30minutes and enjoy it.
I then did some preparation. Resources would help me get started so I downloaded a running plan which set out how many minutes to walk and run each week in order to be able to run for 30minutes in 8 weeks time. I put the first weeks run slots into my calendar with an alarm.
I then loaded Strava onto my phone so that I could time my runs and track how many I did each week. I also downloaded some interesting podcasts and found my ear buds. Then I got out my running shoes and clothes. My family were interested so I shared my goals with them. They all thought it was brilliant and gave me a lot of encouragement right at the outset.
The last step to getting prepared was possibly the most important, to change my mindset. My thinking had become fixed, that I wasn’t a runner. I needed to change that. So I welcomed the possibility that I could be a runner and let my mind be open to change and growth.
So I was set. I had my big audacious SMART goal I will be able to run for a total of 30 minutes by the end of May, which I then broke down into weekly goals that were smaller and more achievable. For example, one week was – I will run 3 times this week, one run being a total of 20mins and two shorter runs of 17-18 minutes each. I had my motivator (ski faster in this years xc ski race), a plan, resources (calendar, strava, podcasts and earbuds, clothing and shoes). My cheerleading team (my family) were all set. And I changed my thinking, to imagine that I was a runner.
And so I began. I started with short amounts of running with periods of walking in between. The first session was a total of 6 minutes running interspersed with walking. I didn’t let that small amount put me off and I kept telling myself that the even the greatest athletes all start somewhere. Each week I ran 2-3 times and gradually progressed to more running and less walking. Sometimes my family joined me, sometimes I ran alone. Even in the wet, cold and the wind, I ran. If I felt tired or lazy, I ran.
Some days it was hard, some days it was OK. I learnt that if I did my run, no matter how challenging, or how unmotivated I felt when I left home, or whatever the weather, I always ALWAYS felt better afterwards. As the weeks went by, I started to get a real sense of achievement. I recall making the 10minute milestone, and the 20minute mark. These felt really great, and motivated me to keep going. The day I reached 30minutes was fantastic. I recall punching the air with a big smile of my face. I was super proud of myself.
However it was more than just being able to run. I had set myself a goal. There was my underlying motivator, my why. Planning was important, as was getting all my resources. My supporters were amazing. I’d challenged my thinking. Looking back, I had set myself up for success. I had achieved my goal and made a change that I didn’t think was possible.
Two months later, and I continue to run 25-30 minutes twice a week and I am loving it. It is still a couple of months away till the ski race however I already know for sure that my running is helping my skiing.
I am a runner.