My Running Journey
By Valentina
Before the pandemic, I had never really gotten into working out. I would do it because I had to, but I never really enjoyed it. So naturally, I didn’t like running at all. My dad is one of those people who runs every morning before work, and he is always going on and on about how relaxing it is and how it makes him have a better mindset for the rest of the day. I never believed running could be relaxing — how can you relax when you are out of breath? I tried and failed to get into running so many times, so when I started running during the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown I had no idea that I would be running 13 km by the end of the summer.
I didn’t really plan to start running — it all began with going on daily walks. I don’t like being at home all day, so when classes moved online I made the effort to go out for a 30 minute walk every day. I would just listen to a podcast or call my parents and just walk without thinking about it. Then, it started to get boring because I would do the same walk everyday. So I thought, ‘maybe if I run it won’t be so boring, and I will get my daily steps in faster?’
The next day, I downloaded the Nike running app on my phone and did the “First Run” guided run. This was so good because it makes you pace yourself and not go too hard, which I think was why I hated running so much before. I ran 2 km that day and felt really good about it. I decided to run 0.3 km more everyday until I made it to 5 km — and I did it!
After that I got really into running. My dad was so excited about my running journey that he got me a running watch for my birthday. That’s when I started doing the 10 km training plan that I would keep up for the rest of the summer.
I think this time around I stuck to it for three main reasons:
1. I had SO much free time
Not being able to hang out with people and doing classes from home made me feel like the days were so much longer and I had less things to do — therefore less excuses for not running.
2. I could see people!
I spent most of the lockdown by myself because my roommates moved back home. Going on runs around my neighborhood was the only time I would see other people and that was very comforting.
3. I had a plan
Going on different types of runs everyday and having a goal in mind kept me motivated because I was excited about them.
Sadly, now that the fall semester has started and winter conditions are coming, I can’t run as much as I want to. Nevertheless, I can’t imagine not running at all. I am committed to running at least once a week and the running track is a great option for when that winter starts. I had NO idea I was going to become one of those people who runs because it makes them happy and they find it fun. Other than the fact that now I can now keep up in workout classes (flashback to when I passed out during a sculpt class last semester), running has brought so many unexpected positive things into my life.
First, it changed my relationship with my body for the better. I feel like running made me appreciate what my body could do, and I started viewing working out as a way to celebrate that rather than doing it to look a certain way or burn off “junk food.” Second, it brought me closer to my dad, which was so important especially during COVID times. We would message each other every time we went on a run with our distance and time to keep a friendly competition going. This made me feel like we were actually doing something together. Third (a little cheesy but true), it taught me that if I’m disciplined and consistent I can do things I never thought I could.
