Twenty-One Tips on How to Build a Running Habit

2021 is indeed upon us. In fact, we are now in the thick of January after it seems that we just rung in the new year yesterday. In the midst of many lockdowns, one saying that has been a constant for me is “Running is never cancelled.” Coming into the new year, one of the events that I made a commitment to host was a Twenty One Day Challenge.

We often hear the (oft misquoted) saying that it takes twenty-one days to build a habit. As one who is approaching her tenth year in the sport of running, I will be the first to say that it definitely takes more than twenty-one days to go from a place of casually running or not running at all to a place of feeling lost without the feeling of the road under your feet.
But we can acknowledge that twenty-one days is a start. And to become consistent and great at anything, requires you to do just that. Start.
With that being said, here are my twenty-one tips for developing a running habit:

#21 Do not worry about what the other person is doing. Comparison is the thief of joy.

#20 Make sure you are medically cleared to engage in a fitness regimen.

#19 Invest in proper running shoes.

#18 Start slowly. Ease into your newfound routine.

#17 Listen to your body. Stop when you need to.

#16 Listen to your run coach (smile!)

#15 Eat clean. Properly fuel your habit.

#14 Hydrate often. Water is critical.

#13 Develop a short memory. Not every run will be magical.

#12 Don’t say “I can’t”. Say “I’ll try”

#11 Warm up pre-run. Stretch post-run. Put your body in position to run another day.

#10 Get adequate sleep. This powers your running.

#9 Show up everyday.

#8 Release excuses.

#7 When you are feeling great mid run, ride that wave of energy. It will take you to amazing places.

#6 Set run goals. Crush them. Repeat.

#5 Attempt that terrifying distance. Progress takes place outside of your comfort zone.

#4 Keep a running journal. You learn much about yourself in those pages.

#3 Release any previously held beliefs about your inability to run. The body follows the mind. If you tell yourself you cannot run, then you will not run.

#2 Be consistent. Consistency is key – in running and in life.

#1 Start.

Which habits have you adopted in 2021?