From Zero to Runner: A Personal Story
Not long ago, one of our editors (let’s say his name is James) never imagined himself as a runner. He wasn’t out of shape, but running just wasn’t his thing. He’d see people out on morning jogs, breezing through races, and think, “Good for them, but that’s not me.” Then, one day, something changed.
It was after watching the London Marathon. Seeing thousands of runners push themselves, smiling, struggling, but all moving forward. That moment stuck. It planted the idea: What if I just tried?
The First Steps Were the Hardest
Like most beginners, James had a hundred reasons not to start. Running felt overwhelming. Where do you even begin? What if he looked silly? What if he couldn’t even run a mile?
So, he made a deal with himself: just start small. Instead of running, he committed to walking briskly every day. No pressure, just movement. It wasn’t glamorous, but it built the habit. Within a couple of weeks, his body adjusted, and the idea of running didn’t seem so ridiculous anymore.
Making It Stick
James knew that if he wanted this to become part of his routine, he had to find ways to stay consistent. He started using a few tricks to keep himself motivated:
- Running at the same time each day, wearing the same comfortable gear, and listening to the same playlist helped make it feel automatic.
- Seeing small improvements—running a little farther, breathing a little easier—became a reason to keep going.
- A hot shower and a great meal after a run? Worth every step.
- He started joining weekend parkruns and found that running with others made it more enjoyable.
Why Running Became More Than Just Exercise
What started as a simple experiment turned into something much bigger. Running became James’s go-to stress reliever, his time to unplug and reset.
He’s not winning races, and he doesn’t care. What matters is that he took that first step, built the habit, and kept showing up.
If you’ve ever thought, “Running isn’t for me,” James gets it. He used to think the same. But if you’re even a little curious, take the first step. Start with a walk, find your rhythm, and don’t overthink it. Because once you begin, you just might surprise yourself.