10 things I learned training for a 10 km race
Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a natural athlete. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been active - but that’s a lot different than being good at being active. I’ve played soccer since I was two feet tall, but you can bet when all the other kids were chasing the ball, I was on the other end of the field picking flowers and chatting to anyone who would listen. Replace flowers with post-game beers - and it’s clear why I’ve joined any soccer league in my adult years.
There was one summer I really excelled in soccer - I remember the pride in my dad’s eyes as I scored the winning goal and that same pride resonated throughout the rest of the summer, when it seemed my uncoordinated legs had been overtaken by those of Christine Sinclair. This all came crashing down one day at practice when my best friend (with arguably the strongest kick in our league) accidentally launched the ball directly at my face - and that was the end of my Team Canada Soccer dreams.
I have tried many sports throughout my life: cheerleading, swimming, diving, basketball, rugby. Nothing has ever really stuck. It wasn’t until my then-boyfriend (now husband) and I moved into our first place together that he suggested we try running. It was an idea born from wanting to save money, get healthy and give our roommates some time to themselves in the apartment.
It started slow for me, at 5′2″ and asthmatic, I worried how embarrassing this was going to be, attempting to keep up with J’s athletic, 5′10″ stature. Surprisingly, after a few runs, where I could be heard begging him to leave me behind and threatening to end our relationship while he lapped me, running started to grow on me. Soon enough I was hitting the pavement by myself, just the sidewalk and Kendrick Lamar leading me through. Recently, to break my plateau of averaging between 6 and 7.5 km, I signed up for my first race - a 10 km run in my fishing village hometown.
Since I’ve started training, I’ve had many realizations about running (and why I do this to myself). Here are just 10 of them.
It’s mind over matter
Any runner will tell you, your run will be 10 times better (and maybe even at a faster pace) when you get psyched for some alone time outdoors, working up a sweat. It’s kind of like writing a test: you’re bound to do better if you believe you can. My relationship with running is so much stronger when I push the Negative Nancy to the back of my mind and just get going.
The first 3 km are the worst
A friend once told me this and, at first, I was skeptical, but now I repeat it to myself every time my legs, heart and brain aren’t into it. Sometimes going for a run can feel a lot like waiting for your nails to dry, but once you get going and moving, things feel a lot easier. By kilometre four, you’ll feel unstoppable.
Always wear proper shoes
I love the Nike Free sneaker. I love how it looks, I love how light they are, and I love the colour combos they come in, but for someone as flat footed as myself, they aren’t doing me any favours on my distance runs. For anyone who has worn heels on a night out in the middle of winter, you understand how important this statement is: proper shoes (whether you are running or navigating snow drifts on the way to a night of dancing) are a must-have.
Find a mantra and stick to it
I like to think my personal mantra is WWBD (What Would Beyonce Do) - not because she’s a runner, but because, if Lemonade is any indication, she knows how to address adversity. I’m not sure running is considered adversity, but my asthmatic lungs and short legs would argue it’s definitely something to overcome.
Slow and steady may not win the race, but you’ll be better for it
While I’m sure my short legs can’t be directly attributed to the reason for a slower pace, I often feel more fulfilled from a longer distance run rather than a shorter, fast one. Training for a 10k, I understand the importance of slowing down and reaching my distance goals - improving my pace comes after I reach the 10 km milestone.
Just like anything, running distance takes time
My friends and husband can attest to how impatient I am. I basically went for my first run expecting to run 10 km without breaking a sweat. Now I often complement my weekly long runs with two shorter runs throughout the week. Increasing my distance by 500 metres each week feels like more than enough when I’ve been running for 40 minutes and am dreaming of cold water and air conditioning.
Small goals are just as important as big ones
One thing this impatient energizer bunny has realized is that you need to put just as much value on the small goals as the big ones. While my ultimate goal is to run 10 km in September, my weekly goals matter just as much. This is also a nice reminder for real life whether you apply it to your career, education or creative projects.
Make even the most mundane activities a habit
Whether it’s reminding yourself to keep one foot in front of the other or to commit to tracking your weekly progress, building habits decreases the chances of you swapping your long runs for patio beers. They say it takes three weeks to build a habit - and building the habit is so worth it when you stop dreading lacing up your sneakers and actually look forward to it.
Rest days are just as important as run days
Another habit you need to build into your schedule is rest. Eventually your body won’t feel like it’s falling apart after each run, but you still need to take some time off to replenish. Whether your rest days are spent practicing yoga and getting some sleep, or drinking vodka sodas and catching up with friends all night, take the time off to thank your body for getting you through the last workout.
Don’t forget to breathe
The first time we ran, my husband said to me “you know, it’s actually easier if you breathe rather than hold your breath for the 20 minutes we’re out here.” Some days I’m still guilty of holding my breath until I’m sure I’m gasping my last breaths, but, like any challenging situation, taking a few deep breaths can be the source of fresh energy, whether you’re in a job interview or trying a new, hillier running route.
While I’m not a personal trainer, nor am I a life coach, I’d like to think some of these can be applied to day-to-day life. Despite my complaining about a slow pace or hurting body parts, I’ll be the first to admit a good run brings a world of clarity. Whether I’m stressed after a busy day at work or if I’ve had a particularly frustrating conversation, running tends to reduce problems to their bare bones allowing you to dissect what truly matters in the situation.
Lace up your sneakers, push negative thoughts away and hit the pavement for some free therapy - you’ll be happy you did.
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