Hi, friends. I hope your holidays were good.
Like many of you (probably), I’ve talked about resolutions and intentions with a lot of people for this new year. A fresh, new time, with the promise of new beginnings, new streaks, a "brand new you!”
“Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress,” writes James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.
We can say we want to run more, but how will we make that happen?
If it’s raining, how will we get in our run?
First, make sure you have a rain jacket!
Or, how do you get motivated to run a few times a week?
Start by putting on your running shoes. Literally.
I’ve changed into my running gear before getting on a work call, which makes it very easy to get out the door afterwards for my lunch time run.
To keep my current run streak going, I found a PDF calendar online, printed it out, and stuck it on my wall. It’s one of the first things I see every morning. Each day gets blacked one when I run. It’s a visual reminder, right there in my face.
Think of other things you enjoy around running that you can work into your system. Treat yourself to a nice running cap, or maybe your favorite album in your earbuds. Make a playlist for Mondays, something you can look forward to. Schedule a reminder in your calendar.
This is the Soft Run, so just remember to keep things kind and nice for yourself.
You’ll be able to run further and faster so long as you’re healthy. So make your goal staying healthy, with a system that supports that goal.
Get plenty of sleep
Stretch even when you’re not going on a run
Drink plenty of water
Eat - food is fuel for your running!
Remember, no run is “bad.” If you got out the door and you had to walk a few times, you still got out the door for a run. You don’t need to quantify your effort to anyone. Getting outside is a privilege, be grateful for the experience, as imperfect as it may be.
Get out for a run, and everything else will fall into place.