One Foot in Front of the Other

Hey guys! It’s Ru, from southern California.

Today I’d like to talk about an activity that is near and dear to my heart: running. 

I can hear you groaning. 

Ewwwww, RUNNING? Who does that except psycho PE teachers?

I hear ya. 

I’ve never really liked running myself. It’s hot, sweaty, and frankly, kind of boring. There’s nothing really to do, you just move your legs and pump your arms. There’s no strategy involved, and the only reward you get is that gross runner's face.

But a few years ago, I found myself—against my better judgement—lacing up my shoes to go on a run.

How did I end up here?

Well, when I stopped playing competitive soccer back in middle school, I enjoyed the break—for a while. 

As time passed, I found myself feeling tired all the time. I was sluggish, moved slower, and was in bad moods more often. 

For a girl who used to live for endorphin highs, not exercising was not fun.

So, I decided to start running. I figured: it was cheap, easy, and a good way to get my heart rate up again. 

Two out of three isn’t bad.

Starting to run was not easy. Running back and forth across a soccer field is completely different from actually going on a run, and the transition was tough.

But as time passed, I found that running became less of a battle and more of a benefit. 

For all you endorphin junkies: running gives you  a natural high that nothing else can match. 

If you’re trying to lose weight, it burns crazy amounts of calories.

And as crazy as it sounds, running is one of the most relaxing activities I’ve done. See, the thing is: when you’re running, your brain is set free. It’s up to you whether you want to keep your mind blank, work out a problem, or just fantasize about your latest crush. And no matter how you start out, you’ll always feel calm and collected when you finish your run. 

And so, I’d like to share with you some tips to encourage you to start running too, and get the most out of your experience.

1. Get the right shoes. If you’re seriously looking at running as a way to lose weight, get in shape, whatever, you NEED to have proper footwear. I learned this one the hard way—note: cheap $12 running shoes AREN’T going to cut it. You’ll end up with shin splints, blisters, or in my case: running through your shoes and crashing your big toe into the sidewalk. Sound painful? It was. And bloody. So make sure to go to an actual sports store, talk to the attendants, measure your foot, and get some quality shoes. Usually they run from $40 upwards, but trust me: it’s an investment you’ll be glad you made. 
2. Start off slow. If you’re not a runner, don’t go for a 10 mile run the first day. I thought I was in shape, but I still remember finishing my 5 mile run that first day and thinking: never again. It’s incredibly important to know what you’re capable of, and don’t push yourself too hard. This keeps you safe, and motivated. If a 10 minute run is all you can manage, don’t plan a 3 mile uphill. The cool thing about running is that you’ll always get better, so begin where you’re comfortable. 
3.  Map out a fabulous route. One of the best parts about running is seeing the scenery. So, pick a route that speaks to you. If I sound kind of Yoda, here’s what I mean: choose to run where you can look around and feel happy. Whether that’s around your gorgeous neighborhood, between skyscrapers in NYC, or overlooking the beach like me, make sure to pick a route that makes the run worthwhile. 
4.  Get a buddy. Running is probably one of the hardest exercises because it’s so self-dependent. It’s hard to push yourself to get up that last hill, and sometimes your willpower fails you. Getting a friend or family member to join you lets you motivate each other, stick to your goals, and bond together in sweat. 
5.  Stay hydrated. Unless you’re running for more than an hour, it’s not likely that you’ll need to bring a water bottle with you. But, make sure to drink plenty of water before you head out. This doesn’t mean chugging four glasses five minutes before you leave—this is the surest way to end up with cramps.

I hope this short list motivates some of you to give running a try. It’s tough when you first start, but like anything worth doing, it takes practice.

The health and mental benefits are unbelievable and best of all: you’re left with an incredible sense of accomplishment in yourself. 

Happy running!

Love,

Ru Ekanayake

National Healthy Living Ambassador, CA