For everyone who wants to do this... but is scared to start

[Ariel484]

@BuckeyeBama great post!!

 

[Diskidatheart]

For those of you that say your slow or think your slow...it doesn't matter. There are probably very few on this board that are ever going to win a race. My wife has a great motto..."I don't compete, I complete". It may take her awhile to do it, but she doesn't quit and she gets to the finish line. It's not the fastest time and it's not the slowest, but the only thing that matters is that she finishes. The key is to run your own race and not worry about how fast or slow others are. This is one time that it really is all about you! If you put your mind to it, there is nothing that you cannot accomplish.

 

[surfde22]

A tip that worked for me early on, in running and other areas of my life, is replacing the phrase "have to" with "want to". To keep this running themed, I used to tell myself that I have to run today for some reason, whether that be because of an event that I was training for, or fitness, or weight loss. And reminding myself of my goals worked - it got me out the door - but it felt like work.

About 20 years ago a friend told me that my approach was all wrong, and that I needed to stop thinking of my workouts as work. My fitness routine was something that was helping me in my life, and I needed to stop "embracing the grind" and start appreciating the work itself. Learn to love what you are doing for its own sake and it won't feel like work. Learn to love running because of where it takes you and how it makes you feel RIGHT NOW, not because it is helping you with other goals in life.

So, I replaced "have to" with "want to". In the beginning it was just a mantra. It was something that I told myself over and over again to change my frame of mind, but the fitness routine still felt like work. But over time it began to work. I found myself really looking forward to my routine every day, no matter how tough a particular day's workout might be. I found the things that I was really able to embrace and ramped them up, and I moved away from the things that I was just not able to learn to like (biking, for example). I learned to live in the moment and really appreciate every run.

I used to hate to miss a workout because I felt like I was letting myself down - failing my plan for myself. Now I hate to miss a workout because I love my workouts.

I love running - that is why I run.

Thanks for the great input. At times I struggle between the feeling of having to run and the actual desire to want to run. I ran high school cross country and track, but never really enjoyed it back then, but always knew I had to run. No that I enjoy running more as I'm getting back into it I find myself slipping into the have to mentality occasionally.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Thanks for the great input. At times I struggle between the feeling of having to run and the actual desire to want to run. I ran high school cross country and track, but never really enjoyed it back then, but always knew I had to run. No that I enjoy running more as I'm getting back into it I find myself slipping into the have to mentality occasionally.

I liken the thought process to that of eating vegetables. We need to eat a balanced diet. That means that we need to eat vegetables. But do we have to eat specific vegetables? No. If we try to force ourselves to eat vegetables that we do not like we might have limited success, but eventually we backslide and find ourselves eating the foods that we really enjoy - foods that we WANT to eat.

The key is to find vegetables that we like eating, and then remind ourselves that we are eating those vegetables because we want to, not because we have to. This is sustainable. This is life changing, not the implementation of a short term "diet".

So many friends have told me that thy have tried running many times and they hate it. My response - try something else, because if you don't or can't learn to love it for its own sake, you will not be able to sustain. You will eventually stop. Running isn't the answer for everyone. Just get moving.

 

[roxymama]

The biggest thing that is helping me is that I have separated my "hard training" with my "easy training." I've stopped trying to run the fastest and longest on every run. I have a ton of fun running at an 11-12 min mile because (for me) it is a nice steady easy (for me now...maybe not when I started) pace. But I also know I can race down around 9+ mile pace when I'm putting in that effort. So once I realize I could mix my training weekly to have easy days and then speed/tempo days and then long runs somewhere in the middle ground (thanks again @DopeyBadger - Hope your not sick of me calling you out)....whoo boy does that make a difference. I also do different distances each day that I run during the week (just three per week for this busy mom.)
So I guess what I'm saying is the VARIETY has helped me immensely. I look forward to the days that have my favorite workouts and I then try to "conquer" my tough days (usually thursdays...if I can get through my Thursday tough runs then I have Friday and the weekend to look forward to.)
I also like to have a variety of races planned. A local fun run 5k that is untimed. Then an all women's race. Then maybe a more "serious race" where I try to just focus on getting a PR (for myself), and then maybe a new distance where I don't care about time. Maybe a race where it has a cool theme or scenery. Mix it up.
It keeps things fresh.

I hope that helps someone. It's hard to get stuck in the drudgery without a new thing to look forward to.

Also I can't agree more with the posters saying to not compare yourself to other runners. But to allow them to inspire you. You may be on Chapter 5 of your running career and the person next to you is on Chapter 20. You have no idea what your Chapter 20 will be, but you get to write your own story which is the fun part. And it's OK if you don't want to be a marathoner and its' OK if you do. It's about you.

I went from run/walking 5ks of over 40+ minutes to now 28-29 min 5ks. And a Disney race was my carrot. But I happily run 35-38 min 5ks when I'm just fun-running with my family. I was not ready to be a longer distance runner until this year and now I'm trying it out. And I won't really know if I like it until I do it. Make it fun for you...It will be hard...but do whatever you can to have fun with it

 

[Chaitali]

So many friends have told me that thy have tried running many times and they hate it. My response - try something else, because if you don't or can't learn to love it for its own sake, you will not be able to sustain. You will eventually stop. Running isn't the answer for everyone. Just get moving.

This is so key! I know I tried to get my husband to run for a while and he didn't really enjoy it. But then he tried yoga and has been loving it. So it's just about being active one way or another. Another way I try to re-frame it when I'm not feeling motivated is reminding myself how lucky I am to be able to run. Not everyone who wants to can.

 

[ZellyB]

A tip that worked for me early on, in running and other areas of my life, is replacing the phrase "have to" with "want to".

This is a great tip. I read something similar somewhere but instead of "want to" they focused on "get to". I know many former runners who have ended up with injuries that halted their running, and all of them talk about how much they miss getting to run. I know when I've had my own short-term injuries that sidelined me, I was sort of shocked to realize how much I missed it and how different I felt when I didn't get to run. I still catch myself sometimes falling into the "have to" rut (mostly in the dead of winter), but I do try to remind myself that it's really a privilege to be able to run and that I may not always have that privilege.

 

[clemsondisneygirl]

I think this is a great page! I have never been a person who just runs for pleasure, its always been for a goal such as weight loss or training for a race. However, I recently was listening to a blog and they mentioned the old adage of endurance running is getting comfortable with being uncomfortable...which I think has a lot of truth. But they also took it one step farther and said that when you're feeling uncomfortable, then you're in the improvement zone! I have since taken this on as a kind of mantra during my running...when I start to feel uncomfortable, whether it be hills, speed, or just adding miles, I start telling myself over and over "improvement zone, improvement zone". So I guess my point it, finding the self-motivation to push you through that next step, like mantras or rewards is a great way to make running fun or important for those of us who may have a hard time lacing up those shoes each day!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I think this is a great page! I have never been a person who just runs for pleasure, its always been for a goal such as weight loss or training for a race. However, I recently was listening to a blog and they mentioned the old adage of endurance running is getting comfortable with being uncomfortable...which I think has a lot of truth. But they also took it one step farther and said that when you're feeling uncomfortable, then you're in the improvement zone! I have since taken this on as a kind of mantra during my running...when I start to feel uncomfortable, whether it be hills, speed, or just adding miles, I start telling myself over and over "improvement zone, improvement zone". So I guess my point it, finding the self-motivation to push you through that next step, like mantras or rewards is a great way to make running fun or important for those of us who may have a hard time lacing up those shoes each day!

I love mantras and will absolutely use "improvement zone" in the future. Thank you for the idea.

 

[roxymama]

@ZellyB i really like that "get to" you mentioned. I'm going to use that.

It may be 46 and sunny on Sunday so I GET TO run outside.

I like this!

 

[Ariel484]

I totally agree with "want to" vs. "get to" and "have to." This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately, with coming back from an injury and with my 29-year-old brother (who has done a few runDisney races with me) being told at the end of last year that his running career is over. Definitely working on enjoying every run for as long as I can!

 

[DVCFan1994]

A tip that worked for me early on, in running and other areas of my life, is replacing the phrase "have to" with "want to". To keep this running themed, I used to tell myself that I have to run today for some reason, whether that be because of an event that I was training for, or fitness, or weight loss. And reminding myself of my goals worked - it got me out the door - but it felt like work.

About 20 years ago a friend told me that my approach was all wrong, and that I needed to stop thinking of my workouts as work. My fitness routine was something that was helping me in my life, and I needed to stop "embracing the grind" and start appreciating the work itself. Learn to love what you are doing for its own sake and it won't feel like work. Learn to love running because of where it takes you and how it makes you feel RIGHT NOW, not because it is helping you with other goals in life.

So, I replaced "have to" with "want to". In the beginning it was just a mantra. It was something that I told myself over and over again to change my frame of mind, but the fitness routine still felt like work. But over time it began to work. I found myself really looking forward to my routine every day, no matter how tough a particular day's workout might be. I found the things that I was really able to embrace and ramped them up, and I moved away from the things that I was just not able to learn to like (biking, for example). I learned to live in the moment and really appreciate every run.

I used to hate to miss a workout because I felt like I was letting myself down - failing my plan for myself. Now I hate to miss a workout because I love my workouts.

I love running - that is why I run.

I love this!

 

[miker1251]

I began training in 2003 at the age of 52. Over the years I have managed to earn several Goofy and one Dopey medal. Beginning to a change in thinking. I had to quit asking myself, "Can I do this?" and start telling myself, "I can do this!". I also found that the inspiration for continuing came wanting to set an example for my grandkids. I wanted them to know that through determination and hard work you can do things that once seemed impossible.

 

[Slogger]

Change can be scary.
Trying something new is not always in your comfort zone.
What comes naturally to some people may be difficult for others.

After nearly 20 years of very little exercise or activity, I was lucky enough to have a family that "inspired" me to get out and run. My daughter was trying out for lacrosse and had to do a lot of running before tryouts. She asked me to join her and I did. 3/10 of a mile was the furthest I could go. We did it again and improved distance and time. I was amazed that several of my friends ran 5 mile races, half marathons, even a marathon. Those seemed like lofty goals. Might as well have been running to the moon for me at the time.

Now 4 years later I am still learning a lot about myself as a runner. Running a 5k, a half marathon, a marathon, doing the Dopey challenge. Those were all great accomplishments. Having people tell me that running long distances is crazy or impossible just motivates me more.

Everybody has to find their own motivation, set their own goals and decide they are ready to test themselves.
I was lucky to be challenged to get out and run. Find your challenge, and then "Just Do It."

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Great advice and so very, very true!! I was overweight after my 3rd child and just could not lose the weight, a marathon had always been on my bucket list, but I would just laugh when I thought of myself doing that. One day out of the blue, my mother asked me if I wanted to run the Chicago marathon. She is not overweight at all, but was in her mid 50s and neither of us were runners...EVER. We started with a training plan and stuck with it and she did AWESOME! She finished in 6 hours and was AMAZING! I took longer and finished in 6hrs 39 minutes, but I FINISHED! I cried and when they put the medal on me, I hugged the man, I could not believe it. It was a terrible time, but for me it was amazing. Over 26 miles and I finished...so yes, you can do it. I only wish I had put in more effort, had I given more, I know I could have done better.

My biggest regret is not sticking with it after all the work that was put into it. I am once again in need of getting into shape and I am making a Disney Run my goal. My kids are all runners on a cross country team and they are good...so it's time to follow their example!

YES, SHOES ARE A MUST and get properly fitted for them. I had to run on a treadmill and during the training season, I ended up going through 2 pairs of shoes. You need to replace them after X amount of miles and make sure you DO NOT get new shoes close to race day.

 

[miker1251]

Here in Tulsa there is a trail be the Arkansas River that passes a casino owned be the Creek Nation. They are in the process of building a hotel. Construction traffic has to cross the trail. The construction company provides a guard to warn runners and bikers of approaching traffic. As I was running by the crossing on Wednesday, the guard stood up and started clapping and cheering for me. Without thinking I know I ran a little taller and faster. Motivation can come in the most unexpected ways.

 

[yoopermom]

What a great thread.

A year ago I weighed 317, was depressed, and lethargic. I started dieting using myfitnesspal, then rejoined the Y to do water aerobics.

The first of this year, weighing 225, I told myself, "you can become a really good walker/hiker". I didn't feel capable of even starting with a couch to 5K program, so am now on week 5 of Jeff Galloway's "beginners" plan http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/beginners/

When I first did 2 miles this past week, I got off the treadmill in (happy) tears. When my DS came home from college this weekend, and we went on a two hour hike through the state forest, I wept again, for being able to have this shared experience with him.

Will I ever get to a half marathon? I don't know. But I do know I feel better than I ever have in my life.

If I can, anyone can. One foot in front of the other....

Terri

 

[ChiTownZee]

..... but I do try to remind myself that it's really a privilege to be able to run and that I may not always have that privilege.

I love this! I just started last month, and have seen several memes on pinterest (running information crack galore!) with the titles "I run because I can". I think about those a lot on my running days. In 2011 I came within 48 hours of getting my right leg taken off as a latch ditch effort to save my life from a mrsa infection. After over a month of daily killer-strong IV antibiotics they couldn't get it out of my knee so they went in and basically emptied everything they could, bursa and all. I was left with a 8.5 inch incision and 33 staples and it took a long time for me to be able to walk again. My infectious disease doctor said i beat 1 in 3 odds of dying for my kind of infection. I still complain sometimes on the aches that never left, but I really want to complete my half-marathon, at WDW because we all know that's where magic is born, and get to experience what that medal feels like, because I can, even if it takes me long time to get there, I can. We all can! Remember, even if it seems impossible...."It's kind of fun to do the impossible."!!! I tell myself that when I head out on running days, even if it's a 30 minute maintenance run....I'm doing the impossible, too, one step at a time.

 

[ChiTownZee]

........

Will I ever get to a half marathon? I don't know. But I do know I feel better than I ever have in my life.

If I can, anyone can. One foot in front of the other....

Terri

You will!!! You just did 2 miles! It's been 5 weeks and you have almost a year before the next princess half! I think you should come back to this thread and post what your long run is the week you reach 5 months! I created a spreadsheet and log my distance and time every run. I like to to see the little bits of change in time or distance. Look at what you've done in 5 weeks, if you had a graph it would be pointing straight to that half-marathon!

 

[yoopermom]

You will!!! You just did 2 miles! It's been 5 weeks and you have almost a year before the next princess half! I think you should come back to this thread and post what your long run is the week you reach 5 months! I created a spreadsheet and log my distance and time every run. I like to to see the little bits of change in time or distance. Look at what you've done in 5 weeks, if you had a graph it would be pointing straight to that half-marathon!

That's so sweet of you Lisa, thank you! I use the trainingpeaks app to chart what I'm doing, and have Saturday, April 23 as 5K!!!!A DF's 5 year old little girl has been bitten by the "5K bug" and she told in her sweet baby girl voice, "Tewi, you can run and twy and catch me!"