What 2 Runners Wish They Knew Before They Started Running
Step by step. Mile by mile. Minute by minute. Running is a personal journey, and only you know why you’ve decided to lace up and pound the pavement. Ready to run? Avid runners (and adiClub members!) Eric Chen and Yvenie Joseph share their insider tips that’ll help you go the distance.
TRACK DOWN YOUR TRIBE
You know what they say—each one, teach one, so take the time to tap into the community connection and find your own like-minded support system.
“I turn to my community for everything,” explains Yvenie. “The bond is even stronger when you’re involved in the same athletic activities. My teammates gave me the confidence to use my voice and stand up for myself—I’d never felt so much support before that."
Pro tip: Partner up. Here’s why running with a buddy can help you be in it for the long run (pun intended):
ENCOURAGEMENT: A supportive partner will help you keep up the momentum and motivation (so you can stick with it longer).
COMMITMENT: An accountability partner will help you stay focused (so you can achieve your fitness goals).
IMPROVEMENT: A competitive partner will help push you to improve your performance (so you can run faster, farther).
“I learned the importance of my running community when I ran cross-country in high school,” shares Eric. “One day I was falling behind, and the captain circled back to guide my pace and run alongside of me. The rest of the team even followed suit! That small act of silent encouragement really meant a lot to me. I still think about it to this day.”
If you also prefer running to be a social experience, look for a fun and friendly running group. Try adidas Runners —think of it as a welcoming international community for all levels and abilities offering support, guidance and motivation, as well as inspiration and coaching advice from adidas Runners coaches in 70+ cities, so you can push your boundaries to become a better runner, and a better version of yourself.
You can join the adidas Runners community in person or online on the adidas Running app. There you can track your runs, read inspirational success stories, run and connect with other runners, and participate in fun challenges and virtual events that'll help you surpass your running goals.
PACE YOUR OWN RACE
Endurance vs. speed. Sprint vs. marathon. Solo vs. group. Track vs. treadmill. Steady vs. interval. There are countless combinations and options to try, and through trial and error, you’ll learn which type of runner you are. Hint: It’s not nearly as simple as how fast or far you can go.
Case in point: After struggling to find his own identity as an adolescent, running helped Eric define who he is as an adult. “I’ve adopted my own running style, and now it’s my go-to form of self-expression. I put on music, build up rhythm, find a good pace, and hit a confident stride with my head held high—it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Alternatively, Yvenie runs to reset and reconnect. “Once a week, I turn off the music for a ‘conscious run’ where I actively listen to what’s going on in my head to hear my own thoughts in real time. Having a weekly conversation with myself helps me feel even more connected to myself and my surroundings.”
THE REALITY OF RUNNING
Even if you’ve planned your run well in advance, when the time comes, you might not want to go. That’s because the hardest part about running is lacing up and getting out of the door, says Eric. “I have a super hectic crazy schedule and finding time to myself is a luxury I’m not often afforded. Between attending school full-time and working part-time, occasionally I still struggle with finding the energy to go for a run—and I love running. The intense urge to be lazy is strong.”
The trick to overcoming this challenge? Engaging in internal communication—i.e., listening to your own inner voice. “When I’m on the verge of skipping a session, I remind myself that running is a hard start with a great finish,” says Yvenie. “It’s always worth it.”
I’m always happier after I run, I’m able to see the bigger picture and I realize that what I was worrying about isn’t that big.
–Yvenie Joseph
Eric takes that same sentiment one step further. “I’ve taken the time to build up a positive inner monologue; it’s a different kind of strength that makes me feel ten times more confident in an instant. Now I have the ability to motivate myself on demand.”
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
“Running can be a very humbling experience; it will literally bring you to your knees,” reveals Eric. There are numerous barriers—physical and mental—you’ll potentially face on the road to becoming a runner. While knowing your limits is most important, staying consistent can help you on your running journey.
Running is a rollercoaster of emotions. I learn how to communicate with my body and encourage myself.
–Eric Chen
“I have really bad asthma—I run with an inhaler,” says Yvenie. “I struggle to breathe, and it was really difficult at first. But ironically, running consistently helps strengthen my lungs. The activity that hurt in the beginning ultimately helped me.”
CHASE THAT ULTIMATE HIGH
‘Runner’s high’ to be exact (which not everyone is lucky enough to experience). Regardless of whether they’re running rarely or regularly, you’d be hard-pressed to find a runner that doesn’t crave that ever-elusive euphoric rush of endorphins and endocannabinoids (a.k.a. feel-good hormones) released during exercise.
“Runner’s high is real,” shares Eric. “When I get it, I find myself thinking clearly, and I have a much more positive outlook on life.” Yvenie sums it up simply: “It feels amazing. I’ll never stop chasing it.”
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