Twenty Twenty-Run

It’s a new year baybeeeee! 2020 was, you know, fucked. How fucked was it? It took a global pandemic to wear down my physical and mental health so much that I actually started running! I honestly don’t think I would have started running under different circumstances. I would have continued doing my hot yoga, pilates and hit classes in LA. Gone for walks and hikes. I would have had no “reason” to start running.

I’ve said it many time before; I used to HATE running (but I love semi colons even though I never know if I’m using them right). I’d see a jogger and feel a sickness and envy in my gut. A “how dare you run like that!” and a “Damn, I wish I could do that!”. It seemed so freeing yet so inaccessible.

2020 was the year that so much got taken away from us. It also reminded us how resilient we are. How adaptable we can be. How you can only bake and eat so much banana bread before you say “I AM MORE BREAD THAN WOMAN.”

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Now that it’s 2021, nothing has changed. We’re still in the throws of a pandemic, and if anything, it’s going to get worse before it gets better. The vaccine is a slooooow roll out so don’t be expecting to go back to your little indoor fitness classes any time soon. Unless you live in one of those places where everything is open? Yikes!

What I’m trying to say is, pandemic or not, if you’ve been thinking about running, stop thinking and start doing. The year is fresh! Full of possibility! In a time when SO MUCH is out of your control, running is your friend. If you’re thinking “but it’s winter Julia, you want me to run in the cold?” Yes! Yes I do! Ya know what I used to hate more than running? COLD. Fuck the cold. You know what makes you less cold? RUNNING. What fun!

Unless is was just a fucking ice storm or minus 20 outside, strap on your shoes and get out there. Even little baby runs! Tell yourself you’ll go for at least 15 minutes. I feel like it takes 10 to get warmed up. The first ten are annoying. Maybe you’ll curse. Maybe you’ll want to quit. Get over the 10 minute hump! I can almost guarantee you’ll want to keep going. After that if you can honestly say “THIS IS ENOUGH” then you can stop. You know your body better than anyone else.

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My first run of 2021 was after it snowed 15 centimetres. I didn’t want to leave the couch. I had a shit sleep. I was cranky. I said “get out there for 10 minutes and see how you feel”. It was tough to get to the running path, but once I was there, it was heaven! The sun was shining and there was beautiful, untouched snow as far as the eye can see. I ended up going for a full 5k and felt so much better after.

If you’re brand spanking new to running please check out my inaugural blog post:

https://ivegottheruns.ca/2020/10/18/ive-got-the-runs/

Also, if it’s winter where you are, check out:

https://ivegottheruns.ca/2020/11/23/winter-is-coming/

Don’t let the year define you. You define your year! I’ve got the runs. I hope you get the runs with me!