If I could turn back time. Ok now that old Cher song is stuck in my head. This week’s Tuesdays on the Run topic is “Advice for your New-Runner Self”. What pearls of wisdom do you know now that you wish you knew then?
Personally I was a bit of an over-thinker. I immersed myself in all-things Runners World and over-analyzed before taking action. When it came time for my first 5k in 1999, I asked myself “What would Deena Kastor wear?” and went out and bought myself a periwinkle Brooks singlet with matching shorts (don’t worry, not booty shorts) and cap. Oh how I wish I had a pic from that first-ever race. Alas I don’t. Mistakes? I made a few. Probably way more. Here are some that come to mind:
Don’t do all your runs the same pace. In my case that meant fast. If I didn’t start fast, rest assured I’d get there. Every. Freaking. Time. Every run became a race. Of course there’s a time and place for fast. You have to run fast to get faster. But the weekly long run is not it.
It’s ok to walk. When I was a new runner, I ran because,well duh. Walk breaks never occurred to me. I taught myself to eat and drink on the run. Looking back, part of me sort of admires the intensity. The other part of me thinks running might have been a whole lot more fun if I cut myself a break once in a while.
Take risks. Sign up for new things. While many of you might be likely to go big or go home, I was quite the opposite. I ran 5k, 10k and spent years working up to 10 miles before finally summoning the guts to sign up for my first half and full marathons. In a way this is a good thing, because my body had plenty of time to adapt. But really, I could’ve pulled the trigger much sooner. I was just too scared.
Don’t minimize your accomplishments. You’ve heard me say it here before. Own your awesome. Of course nobody likes a bragger but that’s not what I’m talking about. When I qualified for Boston the first time, a tiny (nasty) voice in my head said a BQ must not be a big deal if I could achieve it. I belonged to a running group at the time where many/most runners were way faster than I. I allowed myself to feel like a “slow” runner by comparison. Therein lies my final pearl:
Do not compare yourself to others. We are all so unique. Do not feel like less or more based on what those around you are doing. Just do your thing. Be the best YOU.
What would you tell your “new-runner” self? Did you enter my giveaway?
I would most definitely echo the don’t minimize your own accomplishments. I still have to work on that!
Be the best you. I like that. I’m glad I don’t have photos of old running outfits. 🙂
Ha, you sound like me. I definitely increased my race distances gradually. I started with 5k, and even did a 7K, 8K, 10k, and 11K before I did a half marathon! There were no other race distances between the half and full marathon. I just had to take the plunge on that one! -M
“Own your awesome.” This is such great advice <3
Obviously I covered that last week (with Cher’s song).
We are such opposites! I did not run fast (still don’t). I walked (although since my walk breaks are only 30 seconds, I still do eat & drink on the run sometimes!). And while it took me time to work up to a half, not quite so long.
Still, all great advice because many new runners make those mistakes!
Great advice! I definitely had some similar problems when I started running. I would always try to run as fast as I could. Now I really look forward to easy runs!
I never “trained” for those early 5ks and 10ks. I just went out and ran. So I would have done that differently. I would have joined a running group. And I wouldn’t have taken myself so seriously! Running is so much more fun now.
I totally know what you mean about the walk breaks. When I first started running, I thought that I couldn’t take walk breaks. Now I look forward to my walk break, especially when eating my fuel or hydrating!
I loved this topic. I wish some of your competitiveness would rub off on me sometimes.
I’d be finished with races sooner lol.
I also wish I had found the confidence to say I was a runner earlier on too.
Thanks lady for hosting.
Two words: Dry tech. 🙂
The #1 thing I think is don’t compare yourself to others. It’s OK to compare your results to each other, but never someone else’s. We never know their story and their details.
I love “Be the best YOU.” I’m working hard on building my confidence, but it doesn’t come easy, especially when so many other runners I know achieve seemingly so easily what I try so hard for and often fail at. I need to keep reminding myself that we’re all on our own journeys. I like the phase keep your eyes on your own paper!
Great stuff! I think we are entirely too hard on ourselves and for every time we get down on what we can’t do or didn’t do in a race, we need to focus on everything we ARE doing!! Own your awesome!!
I never thought of incorpoating walks breaks into my runs when I first started out. I thought if I had to start walking than the distance I was running was too long.
Great advice! I am still guilty of suffering from the comparison game. Gosh if I was ever able to BQ I’d shout it to the rooftops! Congrats on all your running successes!
A BQ is a huge deal. HUGE. I still struggle with your first and last points.
In running, as in everything else, “Comparison is the thief of joy” – I wasted so much mental energy comparing myself to other runners. Who cares if they’re faster? Do it anyway!
Thank you for this! I still wish I would have signed up for a half marathon sooner too!
I ran all my runs fast, too. It was fun! But I wasn’t training for anything so it wasn’t a big deal. Now that I train for races, I know better.
In the beginning, I used to go all out in races and then slowly fade until the last part where I would suffer and sometimes be forced to walk. My thinking was that I did not want to leave anything in the tank. Ha. Also, it took me quite a few years before I felt ready to tackle a marathon. 🙂
Great! Take risks is a big one! Why not try the longer distance, the bigger race- nothing ventured, nothing gained!
There’s a Fellow Flowers shirt out there that I covet. “Give yourself some DAMN credit”. YES. We minimize our accomplishments all the time- and there is no reason to do that! Loved your advice.
Great advice?
Don’t minimize your accomplishments…such a work in progress for me!!
Thanks for the reminder!
Great advice! A lot of those hit home… I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ran a 5k and said “it was just a 5k”.
This is a really inspirational list. I’ve definitely had to learn the hard way about not running the same pace all the time, and that walking is okay. AMEN to being proud of our accomplishments! I am reminded of this anytime I see folks who can’t run more than a few feet! We take for granted what we are able to do, yes?
the not running all of your runs at the same pace is so key at the beginning, I always thought faster was better and then I ended up injuried. the secret are the slow runs!
“Own your awesome.” I love it and I 100% agree with it. So many great tips Marcia!
Happy Tuesday!!
Great advice to yourself!
I agree with a lot, especially the don’t compare yourself with others. I think we all do it, but its an impossible thing to do. We don’t know if they are younger, trained better, or just have a natural ability so there is no point to compare, but instead just enjoy what we can do ourselves! Because we can all be great in our own way!
Don’t compare!! I struggled with this one for a long time. I finally realized I run for ME! 🙂
Love “don’t minimize your own accomplishments!” – still advice I need to heed!
I thought reading Runner’s World was a requirement, especially the Newbie Chronicles! Thanks for sharing.
We all know that I wish I ran the race I trained for!
Great thoughts and I agree 100%, especially with the last one !
I love it – “own your awesome”. Yes, totally.
When I first started running, I thought a walk break meant failure. If I had to stop the run was over lol Took me a long time to get a grip.
I was so bad about doing all the runs at the same pace, early on I just never wanted to ease up. Now I am mostly in ease up mode lol