3 Things Beginner Runners Get Right
Previously, we discussed the mistakes that many beginner marathoners usually make in their training. While it’s good to know the things we want to be aware of or adjust, what are the things beginner runners sometimes are better at than even the most seasoned runner?
If this is your first time getting ready for a marathon, you’re thinking about it, or you’ve once been a beginner runner, how many of these are qualities you can lean into or qualities you want to take back?
WHAT RUNNERS GET RIGHT
Staying Curious
There’s that idea that the more you know, the less you know. In other words, as we learn more, we realize the complexity of some things is so much more than we initially thought. In running, for some reason, we see runners that have been in this world for some time, go in the other direction: they know all…or so they think. When people begin their running journey, many are very open to the idea of growing into new potential, discovering new things, trying new workouts, looking into the best gear, and finding a like-minded community of people to bounce ideas off of, learn from, or connect to. That curiosity is what allows them to find new opportunities, establish relationships, or reach new heights in ways they once thought was impossible. The discovery of the joy of running and overcoming challenge is greater than it will ever be. And then one day the curiosity fades, the confidence turns into elitism, ideas turn into laws, and what was flexible becomes inflexible. Stay curious, or chase the opportunity.
Running for the sake of it.
Most runners don’t start by jumping into a structured and aggressive marathon training plan. They just start running. Someone has the idea to start running (usually for health reasons), they put on their running shoes, and they go for a jog. They run to work up a sweat, feel a bit of fatigue. And maybe do that one or two more times in the week.
For many people (myself included), running eventually turns into a routine that feels like pass/fail. Do it right, or don’t do it. Run this far, this fast, this way, and if it turns out differently, it was a waste of time. Running isn’t a test. Sure some days are going to have very specific goals, many of which will feel difficult to reach (if we’re setting out on a path to improve or showcase performance). But the joy of running for the feel of it, the journey of it, and expression of it gets lost. No matter what our goals eventually become, if we’re not running for the joy of moving, we’re missing out on a huge opportunity for self expression and discovery.
Celebrating
The smallest of improvements can seem monumental when starting off. Running half a mile further than you have before? Amazing. Running a 5K 2 minutes faster than you ever have? Impressive. Running the day after running? Super-human. Simply feeling better after a run (even if it was slower, shorter, or exactly the same as the time before)? Unheard of. The longer we run, the more we take for granted, the harsher we are on ourselves, and the more aggressive we become in our goals. We lose sight of the opportunities for endless success that are right in front of us every day. Every moment has the right to be celebrated, it’s just about whether you choose to recognize that, or hold yourself to a standard that supports more defeat than it does success. Celebrate everything.
What This means
Running will come with challenge after challenge, but it will also make you stronger inside and out if you allow it to. To make the most of our experiences and our growth in this sport, we need to constantly go back to the beginning. Stay curious, enjoy the journey for what it is, and celebrate every moment you can. Running is one of the most human things we get to experience.
Compare these ideas with the 4 BIGGEST MISTAKES beginners also make and see where you might discover a new path to success Click to read more…
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Happy running!
Nick Savin