How To Be Successful When You Start Running (Or Any New Activity)

When you start running, all you need is a good pair of shoes and commitment, right? Not so fast, my friend. The truth is, just like any sport or activity, there’s going to be a lot that you don’t know when you first start out. It can be overwhelming, a big reason why some people give up early on. That doesn’t have to be the case, and I have an easy way to be successful when you start running, or whatever your “thing” is.

Learning All Of The Things

I used to go do a presentation/chat at a run club several times a year. The run coach there liked to bring in experts in other areas of health and wellness to educate the run groups on ways to stay healthy for their running goals. He’d invite physiotherapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, kinesiologists and strength coaches, shoe companies that provided demo shoes for the runners to try out, information on fueling appropriately for running, and me.  

There were several types of run groups that I spoke to, from first-timers to seasoned marathoners, and they were all there for one reason: to improve their running in some way. As they learned (or were reminded) of all the other recommended ways to support their training, I could see some people mentally trying to schedule it all in. They’ve just committed to a new thing, and now they’re being told to lift weights, do Pilates, get a massage, and, and, and. It sure sounds like a heck of a lot to know and learn… And it is. So what’s the solution? 

Add Layers 

Before you panic about all the things you “should” be doing to be successful when you start running, take a breath. While I agree that you should do all the things so you can avoid injury, get better results, and get to your end goal… I don’t agree that you should do it all at once when you first start out. 

Instead, I want you to create a habit or routine that becomes integrated into your life, so it’s an activity you enjoy, rather than a chore. Something I’ve learned as a Pilates instructor over the years is that when a new client starts off all excited to do three to five sessions a week, I know that it won’t happen. I’d love it, of course, but that’s a huge, unrealistic change in someone’s life to make all at once. 

I find that those who have the most success are clients who start out with one or two sessions each week and then add on an extra one or two as it becomes routine. So, if you decide to start running, commit to just that in the beginning. Do the running. Then, as it becomes a habit to lace up your shoes and get out the door, add in strength training or Pilates one day a week. Once that feels “normal”, layer on a second day of something to support your running. 

It Gets Easier

Whether you want to start running or do some other activity, know that it gets easier to add on as you go. You aren’t going to run 10km during your first run, so don’t expect to do all the things at once, either. Start small and build up, building your training into your daily routine bit by bit. 
And as for adding in Pilates, it will definitely benefit your running and other sports that you do. You can feel the benefits by doing it once a week but it’s gentle enough to do daily. It’s a great way to stretch, strengthen, and mobilize your whole body. Plus, the more you learn (by, say, doing one session in the studio each week), the more you can do on your own at home – another easy way to integrate into your schedule.