Good magazine’s wellness columnist Rachel Grunwell is an ambassador for the John West 12km Traverse at the Auckland Marathon event on October 29, alongside elite runner Ciaran Faherty. She writes about life “on-the-run” and shares tips and inspiration.
Words Rachel Grunwell. Photography Alice van Schaik
In this run picture, I’m smiling. But learning to run several years ago didn’t see me smile much at all. I want to tell you what it was really like back then when I was an unfit mum learning to pound the pavements:
It was really, really hard. I thought “what am I doing? Often. I kept telling myself I’m not really a runner. I was full of self-doubt. I felt like a fraud even trying to run. I seriously struggled.
I looked and felt exhausted merely going around the block. It was hard to keep going.
I wondered all the time if others found it this HARD.
Now I know the truth on this. I’ve been running for several years now. I’ve interviewed so many runners over the years (and now a lot of my friends are runners too)! So, I know now that EVERYONE struggles in the beginning. Everyone. So, you are not alone.
But after you’ve been running for a little while it does get easier and your enjoyment levels can soar.
The hardest part is just starting. You just need to commit to putting one foot in front of the other and “move a little” twice weekly.
So, if you are thinking about running, but struggling, then I want to inspire you to keep going. Keep pushing. Keep on with the motivation and believe in yourself. It’s worth the effort. And if you put the effort in eventually you too will smile while running. Or at least, after you’ve run.
Rachel is Good’s wellness columnist, teaches yoga-for-runners and blogs on website inspiredhealth.co.nz. You can also follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
