How I REALISTICALLY Became a Runner

I used to run a lot in high school. Like, at least 3K a day, often closer to 5K. It was just a thing I did—until I got injured.

It wasn’t anything major. I just ran two long runs back-to-back because my friend needed a training buddy, and I didn’t want her running alone at night. The next day, I woke up with some leg pain that just never fully went away. And as the weeks passed, the motivation to start again just disappeared.

After a few months, it felt like starting from scratch. And that was the beginning of a four-year hiatus from running.

Life happened, mental health dipped, COVID lockdowns killed any routine, and at some point, I just gave up on exercise altogether.

Deciding to Run Again

Fast forward to 2024. I felt slow. Tired. Just… sluggish in a way that was affecting my everyday life. I hated feeling out of breath doing normal things. I felt embarrassed to join my friends for hikes or anything remotely physical.

So, at the start of the year, I decided I wanted to run again. It helped that running clubs were popping up everywhere, and fitness outside of weight lifting becoming more of a thing.

I started small.

Five-minute runs max. And let me tell you—it was embarrassingly hard.

But then I started increasing the mileage. I used the Nike Run Club app to train for a 5K. Then I moved up to a half marathon. Then a full.

What Most Running Advice Gets Wrong

If you’ve ever Googled how to start running, you’ve probably seen all the advice about gear, form, and pacing strategies.

All great information—if you’re already running consistently.

But when you’re just trying to become a runner? None of that really matters.

If you can’t get yourself out the door for a one-minute jog, knowing the “best running form” won’t do much.

For most beginners (or ex-runners trying to come back), the hardest part isn’t the running itself—it’s the starting.

So, if you’re struggling to just start, here’s what actually helped me:

Mental Hurdles I Had to Get Over

• Something is better than nothing. You don’t need a training plan or the perfect pair of running shoes. Just speed-walk or do a light jog for one minute. That’s it.
• Running will feel hard, and that’s normal. Even experienced runners struggle. The key is to start slow—like, really slow—and just focus on getting through the run.
• No one cares how fast you are. Join running groups like Slow AF Running Club on Facebook. You’ll realize that most runners are super supportive (and no one likes the the running snobs anyways).
• Don’t rely on others to start. It’s already hard to get yourself to run, let alone coordinate with a friend. Just go by yourself until you build the habit.
• Celebrate every run. Even if it’s a one-minute jog. Even if it’s your slowest run ever. The goal isn’t speed. It’s consistency.

Practical Tips That Helped Me Stay Consistent

1. Gamify your progress. I have a habit of wanting to over-optimize, so I made a rule: I could only buy new running gear after hitting milestones. My first purchase was a proper pair of running shoes, which I didn’t buy until I completed my 5K running plan.
2. Use guided runs. Nike Run Club’s guided runs helped me stay present and actually enjoy the process.
3. Pick a repeatable time to run. For me, it’s mornings before work. Having a set time makes skipping less tempting.
4. Take it slow. I trained for a 5K, then 10K, then a half marathon. Don’t jump into a half/full marathon plan if you’re not running consistently yet.
5. Join a run club. Best decision I made. It kept me motivated, doubled as networking, and helped me make new friends in Bali. (Here’s my list of Bali run clubs if you’re curious.)
6. Hydration + fuel matter. You don’t need fancy gels when you’re running short distances, but drinking water throughout the day and eating a small snack (like half a banana) before a run makes a big difference.
7. Address issues early. Knee pain? Shin splints? Address it before it gets worse. Warm-ups and stretching do matter.
8. Reflect on your runs. Whether it’s journaling, Strava, or Nike Run Club notes, tracking progress keeps you motivated. Plus, looking back at old runs is super satisfying.
9. Consume running content. I love watching people cross marathon finish lines (yes, I get emotional). It keeps me inspired and makes me want to run.

Not every run will feel good. Some days you’ll love it. Some days you’ll hate it. Most days, it’ll just be fine.

But the thing that made me a runner again wasn’t the shoes, the training plan, or the perfect conditions.

It was just… running.