Release the Runner: Breaking Down Barriers

So last week, as a part of the Release the Runner series that BibRave is hosting, I posted about My Running Story here: https://runnerdgirl.blogspot.com/2020/04/release-runner-my-story.html

This week we'll be talking about some of the Barriers that new runners can face and discussing some tips to overcome them. 

Barrier 1: Thinking you need fancy gear or expensive gear? Nope, all you need is the desire to go out and do it. While it is helpful to have some quality shoes to get you started (my number 1 tip would be to get yourself fitted by a professional for running shoes, this will save you from lots of potential injuries and uncertainty) as far as fancy, expensive gear like running watches and designer clothing, none of that is truly necessary. In fact, I say, wait on all of that, find out what kind of runner you really are before you invest in gear and tech. A lot of it won't fit your style, once you discover what it is. A good pair of shoes, some breathable clothing and a free phone app like Strava to keep track of your miles are all you need to get started. 

Barrier 2: Maybe you're not sure how much you should be running as a beginner. There are so many free training plans available online though a quick Google Search. Or, how I personally got started was by downloading the Couch to 5K app on my iPhone. It was free and it walked me right though exactly what to run and when. It was the perfect training tool for a beginner and again totally free. 

Barrier 3: Finding the time to run. This is a big one, perhaps the biggest in normal circumstances. Our schedules are so busy, but trust me, if it is important to you, you will find a way to fit in 30 min to an hour a few times a week to run. After all, this is your health we are talking about, what is more important than that? This is why now, when it is more likely that you are working for home, or maybe like me on a furlough from work, that makes it a good time to get started. Once you learn to love it, and I bet you will, you will find the time, be it after work, early mornings, maybe during your lunch break, or during your child's activities. When I was on my regular schedule, I would plan out my week of which days I needed to do morning runs and get up early and which days my daughter had Taekwondo class and I could run then. Once you get going, trust me, this part becomes easier. 

My first race EVER, the Come See Me Road Race 5K

Barrier 4: It seems too hard. Well, I am going to be straight with you, yes, running is hard. But, it will get easier. I promise. When I first started running, I couldn't run more than about 30 seconds at a time. But like with anything, with practice, you will get better. It will get easier. You will hit milestones in your running that will make you feel amazing and push your to want to do more. Today is the 6 year anniversary of my very first race. It was a 5K and the first time I ever ran the distance without stopping to walk. 6 years later, I've since run a marathon and trained for an Ultra. I will never say that it is easy because you will find ways to challenge yourself, but it does become easier. 

Barrier 5: Need motivation to get started and don't know where to look? If you need motivation, trust me, the online running community has your back. Get on Twitter and search #BibChat. We'll be there to get you started and before you know it, you'll have more running friends than you know what to do with. Find a local running store, most communities have at least one and ask if they do group runs. Most do. Ask at your local bar even! Where I live almost all of the local breweries have a weekly run club. There are people out there who can steer you in the right direction. Trust me, there is no one friendlier than a runner talking about running!

Did I miss a Barrier that is effecting you? If so, what is it? I'd be happy help you brainstorm ways to overcome it. And be sure to check out the BibRave Pro community by following #bibchat on both Twitter and Instagram for more tips on how to Release the Runner in you. 

Release the Runner: My Story

So things are weird right now, yeah? Most places are on Lock-down or Stay at Home orders that allow us to only leave home for a few situations - essential workers (thank to those!!) and exercising are pretty much it. 

For both physical and mental well being, it is important to stay active and get some movement into your day. While some situations have made this harder, gyms closing, group activities and classes being cancelled, there's one major, popular option this is open and accessible to almost everyone: Running!

Maybe you are already a runner, AWESOME, go get those miles. 

Or maybe you are someone who has stopped running, well, there is no better time to get back out there and go get you some miles, the road is just waiting for you. 

BUT, maybe you've never run before. Now is the perfect time to get started. Think you need fancy gear or that it is hard to get started? Nope, all you need is the desire to go out and do it. To prove it, let me share with you my story, and how just over 6 years ago I had never even run a single step in my life outside of PE Class. 

My Running Story:

I had struggled with being healthy for most of my adult life, never really happy with how I looked or how I felt, but not really unhappy enough to do much more about it than sporadic dieting and/or exercise. I wasn't really obese, but I wasn't thin by any stretch of the imagination. Just in that zone where you get comfortable.

For reference, me on the left, photo from that 2014 Disney Trip
Me on the right, same shirt, 6 years later

In Feb. 2014, we decided to take my little one on a birthday trip to Disney World. When we got home, I started the daunting task of going through the over 1,000 photos we (and others in our group of 9) took during the week long trip. Looking at photo after photo after photo, there was no denying it, I looked FAT. I felt awful and right there, right then I decided that was it. I was going to get into shape. I didn't have a whole lot of disposable income due to just dropping $5,000 on a week long Disney trip, so I figured, hey, it's free to run, I should do that. 

I used a gift card left over from Christmas to Kohls to buy a pair of Nike running shoes and downloaded a free Couch to 5K app on my phone and hit the road. Just over 6 years later, I have learned so much more about being a successful runner and I'm still at it. I've lost around 60 pounds, become so much healthier, accomplished a number of huge goals (see some of my other blog posts) and made life-long friendships. Running has literally changed my life in every way imaginable.

  

  

Just a few of the friends I've made along the way

So for me, ultimately it started as a free/cheap way to lose weight, but running has become a bit addictive to me now. I start to get antsy if I go to long without a run now. It has become a part of who I am. It brought me to other activities such cross training at Burn Boot Camp and becoming so much stronger and meeting even more incredible people. This is a warm, fun and welcoming world, and we'd love for you to join us. 

What about you? If you are a runner, why did you get started? Or, if you are not, why not? Is there something that is holding you back? Let me know if the comments below. In my next Release the Runner Blog Post, I will talk about overcoming some of the barriers to getting started running. 

And you can read more about the BibRave Release the Runner Movement here: https://blog.bibrave.com/2020/03/27/bibrave-release-the-runner/