How to go from thinking you’re not a runner to Wow, I’m a runner!

I have to tell you that I was one of those people who thought I AM NOT A RUNNER! Yeah, I probably could have run a 100 yard dash, trying to catch my breath at the end, and then be totally sore the next day! I wasn’t even entertained by jogging, running a race or even imagining running a marathon, but that’s exactly what I did and I’m going to tell you how you too can go from thinking I’m not a runner to actually getting out of your head, out of the bus and feet on the pavement, trails or track!

So you might ask me why I started running, especially when I didn’t think I was a runner and had no real thoughts or desires of becoming one. In my desperation to find connection (after a failed marriage), friendships, coupled with my love of the outdoors and my love of cycling (since I was 5 years old), I found myself motivated to seek out cycling clubs where I hoped to find all those things to help me get out of my rut. I found a cycling club, the only thing I didn’t know was that it wasn’t just a cycling club, it was a triathlon club! Whoops! So guess what triathletes do after a bike ride? They run a brick and for those who don’t know what a brick is (I certainly didn’t), it’s a race right after you finish your bike ride!

During my first year riding with the club, some of the “triathletes” asked me to join them for a “brick”. Guess what my answer was? You got it, “NO I’M NOT A RUNNER”!!

So what changed? I had a lot of thoughts running through my mind that summer riding my bike. Why would I want to run? I didn’t know anything about running, what if I couldn’t do it? I didn’t know it at the time, but what was holding me back was me. My own internal thoughts were holding me back plus some external factors like physical endurance and strength. What stops you from taking the first step? Is it lack of fitness, weight issues, concern about how you look in public, or don’t you think you’re a runner? All of these factors prevent you from getting out there and taking action and can paralyze you in all areas of your life.

I have listed below 3 internal locks that I think will help you get your foot out the door and run! You can even apply them to other areas of your life to help you change perspective, which could help you create a conscious choice about your life and your circumstances.

1. Limiting beliefs: something you accept about life, about yourself, about your world, or about the people around you, that limits you in some way.

I remember my friend Lisa asked me to do a triathlon and I told her I couldn’t do it and she asked me why. I said because, “I AM NOT A RUNNER.” Her response was very passionate and firm. She said “You don’t have to be a runner, you can walk”! My jaw dropped and my thoughts turned to questions searching for the validity of her answer that you don’t have to run, you can walk if you have to!

You see in my mind, I had a BELIEF as to what a broker was. He believed that a runner had to run, run hard, breathe easy, run hard, enjoy every step and make it look like they loved it. By believing this to be the truth for me, I was limiting myself in my ability to “try” to run. It changed my whole view of running in that moment!

2. Inner Critic: That voice inside your head that tells you, one way or another, that you’re not good enough.

For me, my voice inside my head was constantly telling me that I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, or fast enough. When my limited belief was shattered, I had to face my inner critic who was saying very loudly, “You’ll never be able to run, you’re not good enough,” “Look, you’ve never run, so what makes you think you can run?” “, “you don’t want anyone to see you because they know you’re not a real runner.” When I realized that I could walk during a race, I could no longer hide behind the veil of not being a runner, I had the option to “try” to run or not. But another block was holding me back, Assumptions.

3. Assumption: expectation that because something happened in the past, it will happen again.

At 16, when I tried out for the boys’ track team (they didn’t have a girls’ team), I thought I was a runner. The first practice run was a 3-mile race on the streets, not the high school track. Within the first mile I was huffing and puffing and forget about the hill it devastated me! I remember clearly thinking, look how easily they run and just run up the hill, I must not be a runner! There is!! I AM NOT A RUNNER!

When I was contemplating running in my late 40s, yes, 30 years later, I assumed I wasn’t a runner because I couldn’t keep up with the fit male athletes who had been running on the track for years. Sounds crazy right? But it stopped me from even trying!

Can you see where to even have one of these blocks; Limited belief, inner critic, or assumption keeping you from running?

Once I got past my limited beliefs, stopped listening to the inner critic (this is a constant struggle in life) and nailed down my assumption, I started running! It wasn’t pretty, I was scared at every step and even ran early on dark mornings so no one could see me.

I also want to give you a way to help you get ahead with some keywords, which I like to call the 4 C’s; Courage, Commitment, Compassion (self) and Coach.

1. Courage: is the ability to do something that scares you. Alongside this is bravery which involves true courage with boldness and audacity. It takes courage to do something new, see yourself with new eyes and believe that you can instead of that you can’t. Get out in the sight of other runners, walk sometimes, sign up for a race, tell yourself, I’m going to be healthy, I’m going to connect with other runners even if I’m scared. , it’s called courage!

2. Commitment: implies dedicating yourself to something, a promise that you give yourself with intention and focus. It may seem like you don’t want to go running because you don’t feel like it, or you’re afraid of being seen, but you promised yourself that you would do it because you wanted to, not because of anyone else. It is a commitment to you, your health, your well-being and love for yourself.

3. Compassion (self): be kind and loving to yourself during the process. We can be too hard on ourselves and we must first love ourselves. When you first start running, your inner critic can take over. This may seem; Why are you doing this, can’t you run? What were you thinking, everyone knows you’re not a runner? Look, you’re tired and sore, you shouldn’t be doing this! This is where being kind and loving to yourself really puts this inner critic to rest. The inner critic was created to protect you when you were very young, but you no longer need its help in this way. So be kind to yourself, everything takes time. Be patient and enjoy the development of your new adventure.

4. Coach: A coach is someone who supports you, advocates for you, creates a training plan, and is knowledgeable in the sport. I hired a coach because I wanted someone to give me a plan, tell me what to do, and then support me. I didn’t know anything about running and I also needed a routine. I struggled to discipline myself, but when a coach told me what to do, I did it! Not everyone needs a trainer or wants one, but you may want one once you get the running bug.

Hopefully this will help you get out the door, hire a coach, or open a new door for yourself in other areas of your life where you may have blocks preventing you from living the life you want for yourself!