Finding Your Stride
B.U.D.S | Newsletter 09 | Running your race.
Running sucks. You know the feeling. The burning sensation in your lungs. The knots in your gut. Your feet blister as your shins splint, while you gasp for air and see red spots. Doesn’t matter the distance.
50m. 100m. 200m. 400m. 1500m. 3km. 5km. 7km. 10km. 42.195km.
As a lifer, I’ve accumulated my fair share of miles and have become quite accustomed to the pain and catharsis that running can provide.
In my practice as a community pharmacist working in pediatrics, I’m making it a personal mission of mine to help redefine Dad-bods and inspire some of the Pops I meet to be more physically active. I’ve realized many are interested in beginning their running practice. However, many fail. They never start, or they fail to keep up with it.
So, in the spirit of inspiring others to run and move more, I’d like to share some tactics on how you can find your stride and build a running habit you can stick with.
The Three Stages of Every Run
First Stage
This is the warm-up phase; work your way into the run. Most people give up while running because they go balls to the walls out the gate. That’s a recipe for disaster.
Instead, utilize the first few minutes or distance of your run to settle into it. Experiment with different rhythms, cadence, and speed. Use this stage to reconnect with the body — running is a total body experience. Breathe. Legs. Arms. Mind.
It doesn't matter much, all you have to do is get moving, momentum will carry you into the next stage…
Keep your pace consistent and keep it under control. Breathe. Ease your way into it.
— my inner dialogue during stage one.
Second Stage
This is the most dreaded stage. Because now that your motor has started, it’s built enough force to put you on the path, straight to misery and suffering. Every runner knows when they’re in this stage — it’s when you ask why the fuck am I doing this?
Your body is giving you all the signals to quit. Yet, you soldier on. The key is to put one foot in front of the other, that is your sole task — even if it means you have to break from running and slow down to walking. If you’re moving, you’re winning.
You’re inadequate. You’re slow. You suck. This sucks. Fuck, this really sucks. You should have drank more water. Quit. Quit. Quit. Quit. Quit. Quit. Don’t give up.
Breathe, motherfucker!
— my inner dialogue during stage two.
Third Stage
When you find the sweet spot in the first phase, not pushing yourself too hard at the start while building enough momentum to breach through the second phase of torture and misery, something beautiful happens.
You discover that elusive runner’s high. You find your stride. And what happens after is pure magic. You’re flying baby, straight to the finish line.
Tunnel Vision.
— my inner dialogue during stage three.
The best part about this process? It doesn’t matter how you get there. You can fumble the start, give in to the pain midway and slow down to a crawl. Your body adjusts. Your mind adjusts. And if you keep with it, you’ll realize that running isn’t just physical exercise, it’s mental training.
Pounding the pavement isn’t for pansies — it’s hard. Life is hard. When you’re running, you’re putting yourself in a position to focus on your breath, on moving, on beating the clock or crossing the finish line. It’s a way to find clarity and clear your mind.
You realize, there are stages to this dance. Like many things in life — business, love, parenting, overcoming loss or tragedy — all you have to do is show up, put one foot in front of the other and stay present. Because in the end, we all cross the finish line and it will be our last run. Make sure to try and enjoy every step along the way.
Thanks for reading.
Much love.
SG
Compliment with a post on building momentum and defining finish lines, which may help you as you grow and find new ways to fail forward.
Build. Understand. Discipline. Stillness. “B.U.D.S” is written by me, Dr. Shawn Gill - I’m a pharmacist and Father of two boys. During the day, I work as a deprescribing pharmacist, helping patients get off drugs, safely and effectively. At night, I write this newsletter. B.U.D.S is a community that's focused on inspiring individuals to take account of their health and wellness, as well as reverse mental health and chronic disease. If you’d like to support this mission, please subscribe below. Much love. SG
If you’d like to learn more about deprescribing, you can visit my website here. If you’d like my advice or thoughts on specific running routines, tactics or methods I’ve used, let me know in the comments below.
