\u00b1It\u2019s 6am and your alarm clock sounds for your morning run. Only problem is that you\u2019d rather be doing\u00a0anything\u00a0<\/i>but crawling out of bed and into those running sneakers.<\/p>\n
I feel you. I vividly recall the first time I tried \u201crunning.\u201d I took off down my neighborhood street only to feel like a welder was holding a torch to my calves just two, maybe <\/em>three blocks in. Nine years later I ran a marathon<\/a>. It’s totally and completely possible to fall in love with running. And I can attest that it\u2019s an activity well worth falling for.<\/p>\n The high is addictive. And the health benefits<\/a> bountiful. But I know that it’s a little weird for some yogis to add running into their workout regime. And yet somehow, whether it’s genuine curiosity or pressure from a friend, you\u2019ve found yourself signed up for a 5k with no idea what you\u2019re doing. Here\u2019s a few ways to help you fall in love with (or at least like) running.<\/p>\n Running friends<\/a> are true blue. Not only do they help hold you accountable for training runs, but they also make them way more fun. These people are your entertainment. And hopefully you\u2019ll return the favor as you swap work sagas, travel stories and more, mile after mile. They\u2019ll also be there when you need an extra push, when you forget your water bottle or hair tie. The camaraderie of runners is a beautiful thing.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re starting out, try and not get too bogged down in the weeds of your pace. Place more emphasis on heart rate and effort, which will serve as a better barometer of how hard you\u2019re working and how much you have left in the tank to push yourself. Once you\u2019re feeling confident and comfortable, try leveling up and shaving a few seconds off each mile. Just remember to be patient. When you\u2019re trying to establish a running foundation. Staying steady is better than being smoked.<\/p>\n Train with music<\/a> you love! Get grungy, turn up the pop, the heavy death metal, or whatever you\u2019re into, and let your feet fly. Try keeping beat with the music to make things a bit more fun. And if you\u2019re ready to turn things up a notch, you can try running to songs with BPMs that match your pace goals. Pro tip: if you\u2019re using an internet based music service like Spotify or Amazon, download the playlist to your phone so you can be sure it will work in the mayhem of race day. Big races can be notorious for bad cell service.<\/p>\n One of the best ways to see a city\u2014whether in your own or one you’re visiting\u2014is by running it! You can live in a city for decades, and once you start running the streets you drive day in and day out, you will inevitably discover hidden gems, trails and side streets you\u2019ve never noticed before. And one of my favorite ways to explore a city I\u2019m visiting is to start my first day with an early morning run. You can scope out the place up close and personal, while burning all of those vacation calories.<\/p>\n In addition to friends, a running plan is a great way to keep yourself motivated.\u00a0 In today’s digital age, it’s easy to sign up for programs and plans online to help hold you accountable and encourage a sense of community. If you’re prepping for the Wanderlust 108 (which you totally should), sign up for the adidas plan\u2014you’ll get emails throughout a four-week training program, including tips to help you prepare along the way.\u00a0 See the sign up links at the bottom of the page!<\/p>\n When introducing a new sport to your exercise regimen, give yourself props and little treats and rewards along the way. I\u2019d suggest not overdoing it with things like food (although that\u2019s perfectly okay once in a while!), but more self-care rewards like pedicures, new sweat-wicking socks, extra snooze time the next day, a massage, etc. You\u2019re working hard! It\u2019s okay to treat yo\u2019 self.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to go HAM training for your first 5k. Pick a time of day to train that you can stick to. If you\u2019re a night owl, don\u2019t commit to 6am training runs. Success begets success, so if you have a running time you enjoy and can look forward to, you\u2019ll be in much better shape and your workouts will become something you look forward to, rather than dread.<\/p>\n There\u2019s something so special and empowering about running and testing your body\u2019s limits. When it comes down to it, it\u2019s just you and the miles. And that runner\u2019s high is a very real thing. It\u2019s a feeling that no other workout can really yield in the same way as just hitting the pavement. There\u2019s so much satisfaction in conquering the grind and finding out just how strong and fierce you really are.<\/p>\n Just because you\u2019re picking up running doesn’t mean you have to abandon yoga. One of my favorite workouts is waking up for a run and polishing it off with a sweaty yoga class. The added time crunch of knowing you have to get your run done before class starts helps put a little pedal to the metal in your legs and will make your vinyasa all the more juicy. It\u2019s like a workout dessert!<\/p>\n You\u2019re starting a new journey, and who better to bring along for the ride than your best bud. Help them get their exercise in right alongside you. Don\u2019t have a dog, you say? Fret not, many shelters will let you scoop one up and take them for a spin. You\u2019ll be topping off your tank ten-fold and seeing their joy will surely light your feet on fire. If that isn’t enough to make you want to hit the trails, I don’t know what is.<\/p>\n Above all, have fun with it! Remember that no effort is wasted. My running coach always says to \u201crun with joy.\u201d Yeah, it\u2019s going to hurt at times and your lungs may be on fire and that welder may be torching your calves too, but you\u2019re running! You have gloriously strong legs and a determination that have gotten you where you are. Celebrate them and carve out this time with you and the miles as a time of joy and happiness. Whether you stick with running or are one-and-done after the race, be grateful for the experience and the opportunity to push yourself into new places, physically and mentally. Good luck, yogis!<\/p>\n Portland\u2013Saturday, 8\/11<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Calgary\u2014Saturday, 8\/11<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Boston\u2014Saturday, 8\/18<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Boston\u2014Sunday, 8\/19<\/b><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Berlin\u2014Sunday, 8\/19<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n Zurich\u2013Sunday, 8\/26<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Frankfurt\u2013Saturday, 9\/1<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Brooklyn\u2013Sunday, 9\/9<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Vienna\u2013Sunday, 9\/9<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n London\u2013Saturday, 9\/15<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Amsterdam\u2013Saturday, 9\/15<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Philadelphia\u2013Saturday, 9\/15<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Washington DC\u2013Saturday, 9\/29<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Cincinnati\u2014Saturday, 10\/6<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Detroit\u2014Sunday, 10\/7<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nFind a running bud.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Have goals, but don\u2019t get too caught up on pace.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
Make a dope playlist.<\/h3>\n
Choose new neighborhoods and trails to run.<\/h3>\n
Use a plan.<\/h3>\n
Treat yourself at the end of a workout. <\/b><\/h3>\n
Ease into it. <\/b><\/h3>\n
Do it for the runner\u2019s high. <\/a><\/b><\/h3>\n
End a run with a juicy yoga class. <\/b><\/h3>\n
Run with Fido! <\/b><\/h3>\n
\nInspired to try your hand at a 5k? Try your hand at a Wanderlust 108 in one of the following cities:<\/em><\/h4>\n