I would have never thought I would write a blog post about my experience with running but here I am. I’ve been wanting to change up my workout routine for a while. I tried changing up my split workouts, doing different workout classes, incorporating more flexibility into my routine but nothing was cutting it. I just didn’t feel satisfied with any of my challenges. 

But after a couple of weeks of trying something new, I decided it was finally time to tackle one of my most dreadful workouts… running…It has been well over a month since I started running and let me tell you the journey has been very interesting. The very reasons why I hated it have become the reasons why I love it more and more. Let me explain.

Running always seemed annoying to me, just doing one thing over and over again. I had a treadmill at home and running outdoors just isn’t an option for me simply because we are in the winter months and I wasn’t ready to tackle 2 challenges just yet, that being running and the cold ! Nonetheless, the challenge with running was that it becomes more difficult the longer you stay on… turns out…. I actually really like that challenge! That’s the best part about running, when you’re running and you start to sweat, feel your heart race increase, as you start to run out of breath you are really faced with a challenge, it really does make you feel alive…Cheesy I know but it’s true ! Each time you do it you are faced with a challenge both mentally and physically. You’ve just got to give it your all! Now let me be honest, the first couple of times I felt so out of shape, it really does put your cardio to the test, and I wasn’t feeling the best. I figured if I really wanted to give it a shot I had to commit to a routine and stuck to it !

Over time running has felt like my personal challenge, showing up for myself and focusing on the task at hand… to just keep going! So far I haven’t experienced any injuries or set backs and I have my routine to thank for that !

Now enough about my journey. Something I wanted to touch on were those healthy habits that I started to create in order to keep on running. 

A Good Warm-Up for Running:

A proper warm-up prepares your body and reduces the risk of injury. Here’s my go-to routine:

1. Dynamic stretches (4 minutes): High knees, butt kicks, and leg swings to wake up your muscles. Practice each for 45sec-1 min
2. Speed Walking/Light jogging (2–3 minutes): Ease into a steady pace to get your heart rate up since I’m on the treadmill i keep a light brisk pace for a couple of min minutes to get the blood flowing throughout my joints.

I know it might seem annoying but trust me just taking an extra effort can help you prevent injury, recover faster and feel less sore afterwards ! I’ll eventually but put a different post with some exact routines that I like to incorporate to change up my warm ups from time to time 🙂

Why Cooling Down Matters:

After your run, cooling down helps your body transition and prevents stiffness. Here’s what works for me:

1. Walk (5 minutes): Slow down to a brisk walk and let your heart rate gradually decrease.
2. Static stretches (10 minutes): Focus on your calves, quads, hamstrings, hips and glutes. My favorite is the pigeon stretch for tight hip flexors.

Common Running Mistakes and How to Avoid Them:

Starting out, I made a few mistakes, but here’s what I learned:

1. Skipping the Warm-Up: Running with cold muscles increases your risk of injury. Solution: Always take 5–10 minutes for dynamic stretches and light movement.
2. Overdoing It Too Soon: Pushing too hard or running too far too quickly can lead to burnout or injury. Solution: Follow the 10% rule — only increase your weekly mileage by 10% at a time. You can give yourself weekly challenges. I like to keep track of my progress just to keep tabs on where I started
3. Wearing the Wrong Shoes: Ill-fitting shoes can cause discomfort and injury. Solution: Invest in running shoes designed for your gait and foot type.
4. Bad Form: Poor posture can cause aches and inefficiency. Solution: Keep your shoulders relaxed, back straight, and arms swinging naturally. Focus on landing lightly.
5. Neglecting Recovery: Skipping rest days or proper cool-downs can lead to fatigue. Solution: Incorporate rest days, stretching, and foam rolling into your routine can really help! Taking baths with Epson salts can help your muscles recover.
6.  Malnutrition: running takes up a lot of energy and its important to fuel your body with the right foods pre and post workout. This will not only help you perform better but it will help you recover properly as well ( more post coming …:) )

Why Running Is Important!

Running is more than just physical activity. Not only does it boost your cardiovascular health, improves mental focus, and helps manage stress. Plus, the sense of accomplishment after a run — no matter how far or fast — is unmatched. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just clearing your mind, running reminds us of our strength and resilience.Trust me I would know. Give it a try, play your favorite tv show, blast your favorite songs, find something that works to keep you motivated!

If you’re thinking about starting, take it one step at a time. Running isn’t about speed or distance — it’s about showing up for yourself. Are any of you runners? What’s your favorite part of running or the activity that keeps you grounded?