I’ve always wanted to be a runner. The idea of effortlessly lacing up my shoes and hitting the pavement felt like something I admired from afar-but never quite achieved myself. Running requires discipline, hard work, and consistency, and even though I’ve tried countless times before, I could never make it stick.
But with my word of the year being consistency, I thought, why not give it one more shot? This time, though, I did something different. I signed up for a 5K run one month later, forcing myself to stick with a training plan. And it worked.
One of the biggest game-changers for me? The Nike Run App’s guided runs (not sponsored, by the way). Before, I thought running meant going all out every time, but the app taught me otherwise. I learned that warming up with a slow jog is just as important, and that not every run needs to be fast. At first, I struggled with the idea of running “too slow.” I’d see people on the street and wonder-do they think I’m not trying hard enough? Am I even doing this right? But after a few days, those worries disappeared. I wasn’t running for their approval. I was running for me.
Each run felt like a challenge, a test of what I was capable of. Some days were tougher than others, but that’s the beauty of it-every run, just like life, is different.
I also discovered something about myself: I prefer running at night. Without the distractions of busy streets, shop signs, and people, I can focus on myself. It became my time to reflect, to process the day, and to prepare for rest. Plus, it tires me out just enough to get to bed early.
Now, with January over, I’m blown away that I’ve already run more than I did in all of 2024 combined. Will I hit 100km soon? Maybe. But with the 5K race behind me, I know I need to set my next goal soon-or I’ll fall back into old habits.
So here’s to showing up, one run at a time. And here’s to the next challenge-whatever it may be.