We can on longer relay on races, parkruns or running clubs/meetups to keep us motivated and moving. While the world is changing, we also need to change our perspective, our running goals and indeed our expectations on ourselves to adapt to our new ‘normal’. Running has always been a way to let off steam, to clear our head and to make us feel calm yet energised. Now it is more important than ever to manage our stress, our responsibilities and indeed our time. We may need to find different measures of success to stay motivated, keep our running enjoyable while also making our fitness habit safe to ourselves and those we encounter on the path.
I have compiled a list of my written pieces that are best suited to runners in these difficult days. Most of these pieces I wrote for The Irish Times. Others are pieces I wrote months and years ago on topics like mindful running, running technique and indeed the value of getting outdoors, regardless of whether we run/walk. They are more relevant than ever.
I understand how difficult it can be for runners who had big days in the diary coming up. It is so hard to readjust when everything you have worked towards has been taken away. In years to come we will look back at this time and once things do return to normal I am certain we will value our running freedom even more. I would hope runners can see this time as an opportunity to try out something new, spend time on the aspects of running that they may have not had time/motivation to address before, but most importantly, I would love you to use running as something that helps you manage this difficult time, rather that let running be another stress in these uncertain days.
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- How to plan in a year of uncertainty : What to do when our normal running goals and plans are out of our control.
- How virtual challenges can help walkers/runners : Try a virtual challenge to help keep you inspired.
- Running Rules for Coronavirus times : How to run safely, consider others and make the most of your time outdoors.
- Adapting your running in difficult times : How to change your running expectations and goals
- An alternative running project : Could now be the time to take on a different type of running project
- How to prepare for a race that might be cancelled : Dealing with uncertainty in your race calendar
- What lockdown as taught me about running : Written in June (when we thought things were heading back to normal!
Without race goals and race days, maybe we could shift out intention from medals and miles to the often overlooked joys of running. If you want to try out something else on your next run, get inspired here :
- Run free – try out mindful running
- Learn to run better with good technique
- Experiment with running with a metronome
- Get stronger with just 1 minute a day
- Make your running more fun
- Exercises we can do anywhere
- why we need fresh air
- Never trust the first 5 minutes of your run
- Why not go for a walk
- Tips to avoid running injury
Want to read more?
If you would like to read similar writing in a different format, my book Get Running is available now. Thank you to everyone so much for all the lovely reviews.
I’ll continue to send out a monthly newsletter with running inspiration and advice to keep us all positive, moving and motivated. Stay safe everyone x
