Three years ago, I got winded walking up a single flight of stairs.
I remember standing at the top, trying to catch my breath while pretending to check my phone. My heart was pounding. My legs burned. And all I could think was: How did I let it get this bad?
That moment changed everything.
The Truth Nobody Tells You
Here's what I wish someone had told me when I started: You don't need to be a runner to start running.
Sounds obvious, right? But when you're standing at the starting line (or in my case, at the end of my driveway), it doesn't feel obvious. It feels impossible.
I thought runners were a different breed. They had some gene I didn't have. They enjoyed pain. They woke up at 5 AM smiling.
I was wrong about all of it.
My First "Run"
Let me tell you about my first run. I put on my dusty sneakers, downloaded a running app, and told myself I'd run for 20 minutes.
I lasted 47 seconds.
Forty. Seven. Seconds.
I walked home defeated, deleted the app, and didn't try again for two weeks.
The Shift That Changed Everything
When I finally tried again, I changed one thing: my expectations.
Instead of "running," I decided to "move." Here's what that looked like:
- Walk to the end of my street
- Jog to the next mailbox
- Walk to catch my breath
- Repeat until I'd been outside for 10 minutes
- Go home
That's it. No pace goals. No distance tracking. Just movement.
Why This Matters For You
If you're reading this, you're probably where I was. Maybe you're thinking about starting. Maybe you've tried and "failed." Maybe you're convinced you're not a runner.
Here's what I know now that I didn't know then:
Every runner started with a single step. Every marathon began with someone who couldn't run to the corner. Every success story started with someone just like you.
Your Turn
Tomorrow morning, put on any shoes that are comfortable. Walk out your door. Move for 10 minutes in any way that feels good. Walk, jog, dance, skip — it doesn't matter.
What matters is that you start.
Three Years Later
Today, I run 3-4 times a week. I've completed two half-marathons. I actually look forward to my morning runs.
But more importantly:
- I can chase my kids without getting winded
- I sleep better than I have in years
- I feel strong in my body
- I've proven to myself that I can do hard things
None of this happened overnight. It happened one step at a time, one day at a time, one small victory at a time.
The Secret
Here's the secret nobody tells you about becoming a runner: You already are one.
The moment you decide to try, you're a runner. The moment you take that first step, you're a runner. Speed doesn't matter. Distance doesn't matter. What matters is that you're out there.
So here's my question for you: What's stopping you from taking that first step today?
Ready to start? Check out our Beginner's Guide to Running for practical tips to make your first week easier.
