I wish I could tell you that my first run was some epic, life-changing moment, but the reality? It wasn’t pretty. In fact, I don’t even remember much about those first few runs. What I do remember is the pain—specifically, the calf pain from running in Converse (I know, cringe). If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to make the worst possible shoe choice for running, I can tell you firsthand—it’s not fun. Eventually, I had to get needling done just to reset my calves. Lesson learned: shoes matter.
How It All Started
I never set out to be a runner. It wasn’t some big, dramatic decision—more of a casual, “Why not?” moment. My best friend and I had a tradition of walking and talking for hours, and one day, we decided to challenge ourselves: Let’s try running a mile.
At first, it was rough. I was out of breath, my legs felt like lead, and the idea of running nonstop seemed impossible. So, I found a method that worked for me—running for the length of a song, no matter how slow, even if I looked like I was walking. Then I’d walk for another song. Slowly, my endurance built up. About a month in, I tried running the whole way, and to my surprise, I did it.
Tracking My Progress
The thing that kept me going? Seeing improvement. I started using Map My Run by Under Armour to track my distance. In the beginning, it was just about hitting that one-mile mark. Seeing those numbers on the app made the progress feel real, even when the runs felt tough.
The Challenge That Pushed Me
My friend is much faster than me, but running was never about keeping up with them. Instead, we each had our own challenges—our own victories. That’s what I love about running. No matter your fitness level, you can start. Even if it’s just walking, it’s a step forward toward something better.
Takeaway
Every runner starts somewhere. It won’t always be pretty, and it definitely won’t always feel easy. But the important thing is to just keep moving. One song, one mile, one step at a time.
Want to Get Started? Join my April Miles, May Smiles Challenge!
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