The Running Habit

Judging by the hits on this blog, lotsa of people seem interested in the topic of running. So, this is addressed to non-runners. At least non-runners who want to become runners. Good for you. Running is great--it benefits your health, both physical and mental, provides the "me" time lacking in most of our lives, is a great way to make friends if that's a hot button for you, and you get to wear really neat clothes and shoes. We'll ignore the potential down-sides for now, as I nurse some overuse injuries as I train for next month's Big Sur Marathon.

So how do you form the running habit? Easy, start slow, build up gradually, and do it at a set time. Starting slow is essential. When you're starting to run, you should never be out of breath, because then it becomes a strain and you end up wiped out.  And when you are wiped out you get discouraged and then you quit. Once you can handle a quarter of a mile or half a mile, build up very slowly. Build up too fast and you'll get wiped out, or injured. Then you'll quit.

And do it at the same time every day. Make it become a habit. Running is exercise and for most of us, exercise is work, not fun. You have to force yourself to do it. So don't think about when you'll do it or where. Make it automatic. Have a set route for the first few months and do it the same time of the day, whether it's morning, afternoon, or night. Whether you go out every day or every other day. Make it a routine. After a while, it will become ingrained in your lifestyle and when you skip a day, you'll miss it. That's when you know you have a running habit.

And that's a great thing. I see a 5k race down the road for you.