Hey, life can get in the way, responsibilities can become too much to juggle, and sometimes the goals we set for ourselves are harder than initially thought.
The good news is that it’s always possible to pick up where you left off. And if you’re someone who’s looking to start running again, now’s a better time than ever!
What’s more, you can start a running routine with a brand new approach – taking into account what didn’t go to plan the last time.
To get you back on track to start running again, here are ALL the top tips you need to know!
Evaluate Your Previous Runs
So, you stopped running before – and there’s nothing wrong with that. But what’s super important going forward is evaluating why.
It could be due to one reason or several. Write a list of these reasons if you need to! It could be due to lack of time, how difficult it was, or even an injury setback.
Whether you had a full running routine or only managed a few runs, knowing why you stopped is important for finding a solution.
As examples, if you lacked time, it requires rearranging your schedule. If you found it too difficult, then you set the bar too high and need to go easier on yourself this time around.
Consider Your Motivations
What motivates you to run? You might want to improve your general fitness, lose weight, or compete in a running event.
Whichever it is, it’s important to focus on it and keep it in mind. Motivation won’t always be there to help you, but it can be a powerful driving force at times!
Create a motivation board if you think it will help you, or write down a few of your favorite motivational quotes.
Motivation can be external as well, so if music, films, or certain athletes/influencers motivate you to run, use them as fuel when needed.
Start Small With Your Goals
It might be tempting to go all-out when you return to running—to get back to your previous routine or in the hope to achieve “fast results”—but this will actually work against you nine times out of ten.
This makes it essential to start small with your running goals. So, whether you’re thinking about running for a certain distance or running for a certain amount of time each day or each week, don’t set the bar too high.
It doesn’t matter if it seems easy at first; what’s important is that you completed what you set out to do.
This won’t just build discipline, but provide an ongoing sense of achievement that will keep you advancing forward.
Create A Manageable Routine
Once you have a running goal in mind, the next step is to create a running routine. And just like starting small with your goals, start small with your routine.
Run four times a week or even once a week. It doesn’t matter. What’s key is creating a running routine that’s manageable – both in regard to your fitness level and your daily responsibilities.
By doing this, you won’t set the bar too high and you won’t get discouraged if it doesn’t go to plan. Once you establish a good foundation, you can then begin to increase your running frequency where possible.
Make It A Habit
While motivation is powerful, the thing is… it’s ultimately fleeting. It comes and goes, and therefore can’t always be relied on!
This is where making running a habit is far more important than constantly looking for motivation – and that’s why creating a manageable routine (explained above) is vital.
See, by creating a manageable running routine—one that you can do without fail or any chance of compromise—your runs eventually become a habit.
In other words, they become as automatic as brushing your teeth or sitting down for breakfast in the morning. No thought is required: you simply get up and run when it’s time to.
Track Your Progress… Wisely
We all desire fast results. But expecting the physical results we want too soon can quickly lead to discouragement… and giving up.
Are you the kind of person who checks the mirror or scales after each workout? We’ve all been there. However, it’s important to put a stop to that.
Tracking running progress, such as time, distance and pace, is essential – not only to monitor your current fitness level, but to build on these results by gradually pushing yourself past your usual limits.
As for tracking physical or aesthetic progress, however, this needs to be done wisely. Instead of checking the mirror or scales every day to see if you’re getting close to your dream physique, give yourself time.
Trust in the routine you’ve created and focus more on the “journey” – not the “destination”.
Think Less, Run More!
Last, but definitely not least, thinking less.
Oftentimes, most of us skip our runs, and therefore fall out of routine, by thinking too much.
We know it’s time to put on our running shoes and head out, but instead of doing it, we consider no end of things: how we’re “feeling”, the current weather, if we had enough sleep, or even other things that seem more exciting to do right now instead.
This doesn’t just delay your runs—or put them off altogether—but mould a weaker mindset that’s more distracted than disciplined.
So, it may sound easier said than done, but try to think less – and act more. Don’t do it later or tomorrow, go running now!
Final Word
And that’s it – all the top tips you need to start running again.
But to summarize, it all boils down to evaluating why you stopped running before, starting small with new goals, creating a manageable routine, tracking your progress wisely, and, well, thinking less and running more.
Overall, we hope our tips help you to kick-start a new and rewarding running journey. And if you ever need to get back on track, make sure to save this guide so you can come back to it later!
Hi, I’m Richard Harris and I have been running for almost 20 years now. Since a young teenager with a little baby fat still clinging on for dear life, I have been obsessed with this simple form of cardio.
Not only have I enjoyed running every single day for two decades, but I have also been fascinated by the countless marathons and races offered around the USA. I love watching these races, and I’ve even participated in some of them too!
