Why I Run Even Though I’m Bad At It
By: Keenan Eriksson
Tags: Resilience, Fitness, Health, Mental Health, Running

Onboarding For Non-runners.

You might be noticing a theme here. I haven’t said anything technical about running. I haven’t talked about running technique or scheduling or stretches or any of that. This is because I think running for self-improvement is something that is commitment-based. Think about people who used to be obese, and now they’re fit. I’ve known a few who got a little technical, using bio-hacking techniques, a special diet, reading exercise science textbooks, and nerding out.

I know many more who weren’t technical at all. They just got to work.

For example, a buddy of mine lost 80lbs by running every day and eating only chicken and rice.

I’m a health writer, finding the most efficient way to solve a problem like weight loss is sorta my whole career, and I can tell you with certainty: chicken and rice and running ain’t it.

So why is it such a common trope? And even more important to ask, why the hell does it work? Because it fits the commitment. Weight loss is a hard, emotional experience. Chicken and rice is one of the most boring meals on earth, and running is one of the most hated forms of exercise.

I think these stories are so common because they are what people turn to when they are fed up and don’t care how it happens. They aren’t looking for easy, or technical. They’re committed to the work, and they get to work. A good plan executed is better than a great plan that never leaves the whiteboard.

Here’s why I’m saying all of this. Some of you may be worried that you aren’t ready to run. You may feel that you need to prepare, go through some technical work like stretching and get your body ready to run first. Maybe. Maybe not.

Are you 300lbs? I know people who are who run. Are they at higher risks for injury? Absolutely. Some get injured. Some don’t.

Are you new to athletics? With no background in sports, poor body coordination, and you have poor technique? Guess what, buttercup:

You are ready to run, if you want to be. I’m not saying it will be risk-free, but it never is. I’m just saying that at some level, running is a choice despite the risks, despite inexperience, and despite lack of technicality.

With that said, here are some tools that can help you prepare. In fact, I do recommend using them alongside a running habit to manage and prevent injury, and create fall-back options in case you do ever hurt yourself.

Tools For Running & Running Prep.

Walking & Ruck-marching.

Ruck-marching is a term which refers to covering long distances on foot with a heavy pack. Most often this term is used in the military, where soldiers hike multiple miles carrying 30 to 60 pounds of gear. These “ruck" marches are an arduous form of physical training, and timed competitions are common.

Walking, and by extension ruck-marching, is the number one alternative to running if you feel your body is at high risk for injury.

Obviously, I lean towards the ruck with this tactic. Walking is great, and you can definitely challenge yourself just by hiking around your neighborhood, but to increase the intensity, try loading a few textbooks into a backpack.

Don’t poo-poo this idea as too easy. There is something freeing about learning how far your own two feet can carry you. I regularly walk 5 miles around my area while I write blog articles on my phone. For an extra challenge, I go ten miles around a local lake. Other than cyclists, I seem to be one of the only people covering the whole loop. The other runners and hikers I see all turn around to go back to their cars at some point.

Start walking around the block. Start by covering 2 to 3 miles. Look for some bigger loops and begin wearing a backpack. For increased difficulty, you can load it with books, water bottles, or even stones, not to mention actual gym weights. If you’re ready to run, and find yourself scoffing at the idea that walking could be hard, I dare you to go out tomorrow and hike 10 miles. Bring a couple water bottles and thank me later. Running may be hard but walking is no joke, especially in a world that requires so little of it.

Mobilize.

With any athletic endeavor, regular work on your mobility is a good idea. By mobility, I’m referring to techniques such as pulse/dynamic stretching (I’m not a big fan of static stretching) tissue mashing, and other techniques for increasing range of motion and function in your body while decreasing stiffness and pain.

Running can be pretty hard on your body, especially when you’re just getting started. Although running with good technique requires a very small range of motion, you’re also using the same muscles over and over. It may not seem like it, but running is a full-body exercise, and stiffness can definitely make it harder.

My personal mobility routine involves a 10-minute hip stretch before runs, and 15 to 30 minutes of “tissue mashing" at the end of the day. The hip opener routine is a good way to get a little blood flow and looseness into the legs, and the tissue mashing helps me address potential hotspots for the next morning.

Tissue mashing is a bit more complex than just rolling around on a lacrosse ball, but for the most part that’s the only tool you’ll need. For a deep dive on tissue mashing and developing a personal mobility routine, check out this guide from the Better Humans Archives: How To Master Your Mobility In 15 Minutes A Day.

Finally, I do suggest learning about running technique as you are able. I adhere to the Pose method by Dr. Nicholas Romanov. Pose involves running by leaning forward, lifting your leg using your hamstring primarily, and sort of “falling” forward as you run. You move your hands as little as possible, and minimize head-bobbing.

Pose is good for long runs because it minimizes the speed of fatigue on your body. By minimizing unnecessary movement, pose allows gravity to help with your effort and promotes a light-footed running technique. I’ve found it quite powerful.

Between mobility work and ruck-marching, you should be able to access running or at least hard cardio no matter who you are. Remember though, this is a mental battle. I definitely recommend using ruck-marches and mobility work if you have a known injury, but if you don’t, nothing beats actually running.

I’d rather you run at low intensities and distances than spend a year “preparing.”