For years, I’ve wanted to get back into running. In high school, I ran cross country and track and developed a deep love for running. Unfortunately, after dealing with injuries for years (mainly terrible shin splints) I gave up entirely on running. It wasn’t worth the pain anymore. It’s been about 8 years since I’ve had a consistent running routine. During those 8 years, I’ve tried to find workouts that can replace the “runners high”, but haven’t come close. I’ve tried to get back into running dozens of times, only falling victim to injury every. single. time. So this time, I’m going about it differently. Welcome to the Renewed Runner series… 🙂
Renewed Runner Series
In the past when I tried to pick back up running again, I did it all wrong.
It’s easy for me to get too excited when starting a new fitness program and go ALL IN before I’m ready. Can anyone relate?
In the back of my mind, I knew I’d been a runner before. So I let that fact convince me that it’d be easy to get back into it. That I should be able to throw on my old worn-down running shoes and hit the road for a 3-mile run, no problem!
Any runners out there reading this are probably shaking their heads because they know that’s a recipe for disaster.
Hell, even readers who have never considered running before can probably tell that’s a terrible way to go about running.
But I felt like I knew better than any fitness advice out there, basic injury prevention, and my own common sense.
How will this time be different?
Getting back into running this time will be an entirely different ball game. I’m in absolutely no rush to become a runner again, as long as I can get there eventually.
I don’t have set time/distance goals that I’m going to try to achieve in the next 3-6 months.
That being said, I do think setting measurable goals is helpful for success. (I just listened to a Huberman lab podcast recently where the interviewee was going over S.M.A.R.T. goals and was reassured that measurable goals are important.)
So my eventual goal is to be able to run 3 miles again with no pain. The pain/injury-free part is the most important aspect, so I don’t have a time frame on when this should be done by. I’m willing to work at it for as long as it takes. Even if it takes years of slow progress.
In addition to this slow-progress mindset, I am going to put a major focus on mobility, stretching, nutrition, and cross-training.
A checklist is in the works of all 7 things I’ll be doing EVERY run. It will take about 1.5-2 hours to accomplish a 30-minute run with all these other elements in mind. But for me, that’s more than worth it if I’m preventing injury.
P.S. If you are interested in seeing (or testing out) the checklist, stay tuned for future posts in my Renewed Runner series! I’ll be trying to get a new blog update at least once a month to share my progress, tips, and what I’ve learned.
Most important elements
The major things I’ll be focusing on this time around, to feel AMAZING in my runs, avoid injury/pain, and enjoy the process, include:
- Hydration (I love Liquid I.V. and drink it every time I work out! If you want to try it out, you can use my discount code from my other blog for 15% off and free shipping! Discount code: VITALITYVIXENS. The BEST flavor is strawberry lemonade. You’re welcome 😉 )
- Nutrition (aka getting enough calories and nutrients to fuel my runs AND recover)
- Quality running shoes (I’ve tried quite a few different running shoes and haven’t found any better than Brooks Adrenaline)
- Mobility (especially in my “problem” areas, like my hips)
- Dynamic stretching (pre-run)
- Static stretching (post-run)
- Foam rolling
- Cross-training
- SLOW progress starting with easy walk/runs
- Stop running and re-evaluate my plan if I feel any pain/injury
I’m currently doing a lot of research on all of the above elements, so I’ll check back in soon with what I’m learning!
I’m so excited to take you all along on this Renewed Runner journey with me. I hope some of you can fall back in love with running along the way. Or get into running for the first time! Whatever point you’re at in your fitness journey, I hope this series can share some inspiration, motivation, and assurance that you can do anything you set your mind to, no matter how impossible it feels or how many times you’ve failed.
Talk soon! 😉
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