🏃♂️Run in 2022.
What’s a New Year’s Resolution anyway?
I am going to tell you why you should be running in the new year. Running could be the single most important change that you bring to your life in 2022. Read on to know how it has benefited me.
Running changes your body. Within a week, I started to feel fitter. Of course, since I was running, I gravitated towards eating healthy food. I drank more glasses of water than usual. I felt awesome. There are very few things in the world that beat the post-run burst of endorphins.
I use the Fitbit Versa 3 on a daily basis and I have seen quantifiable effects of running regularly. On days that I go running, my resting heart rate is around 5bpm lower than my usual resting heart rate. My VO2 max saw a jump on the days that I went running.
Running is difficult because excuses are easy
- No time to run — Most people do not run because there is no time to run. As always, if you say there is no time for something, it simply means that thing is not a priority. Block a time on your calendar and run.
- No energy to run — Running takes a lot of physical effort. If you are tired you can’t go running. You can turn this around by having a pre-run snack.
- No motivation to run — Laziness can be a huge hurdle when you start any new activity. One way of overcoming laziness is to tell your friends and family that you are going running. If you know someone is going to ask you about your run later, you will feel motivated to run.
- Bad weather — It’s always too sunny, too cold or rainy outside. You can combat the elements by wearing appropriate armour. I mean clothes.
Here’s how you start running:
Step 1: Find a coach!
Having a running coach can make a massive difference. Finding a personal running coach may not be possible for everyone. Do you know someone who runs? Talking to them might be the best place to start. I used the Nike Run Club to start my running journey. It is a great app that has guided runs. Someone telling you to run slowly and to breathe during the run helped me maintain a sustainable pace and run for a longer duration.
Step 2: Run with a purpose
Coach Bennet, the voice of the Nike Run Club says, “every run has a purpose”.
People who run regularly do it for a purpose. It could be anything from getting a better body to achieving peace of mind. As long you connect a purpose to your running, you will run for that purpose. For me, it was working towards getting a flat stomach.
Step 3: Tell everyone you are running
This is true for any habit that you are trying to cultivate. Telling people who care about you that you have started running will make it difficult for you to stop. If there are people who you talk to every day, let them know your running schedule. Talking to someone about your running progress goes a long way.
I spoke to my old friend Yash Panwar, creator of travelandrun.in He has an unmatched passion for running. I asked him three questions about running and here is what he said:
Q1: Why do you run? What’s your purpose for running?
A: My purpose of running is multifold. I run because I love being outdoors and among outdoor sports, I find that running is the most suitable for me. I run because I love to explore places. Whenever I visit any new place I make sure that I go for a run to survey my new surroundings. Also, my goal is to represent India in international trail and ultra running events.
Q2: When did you start running?
A: I have been running since my childhood. It was in 2015 that I developed a serious interest in running. I started running to lose some weight and to get in shape and in this process, I got addicted to it and running became a part of me.
Q3: What’s your message to someone who wants to start running?
A: If you are a new runner, then whatever your long term goal may be, start slow. Give ample time to strengthen your legs and body. Don’t forget to focus on your posture. The little things will help you in the long run.
If you are physically able to run, taking up running as a hobby could be a great way of ringing in the new year. If you run, I would love to know your answers to the same three questions.
