How I Started Running Consistently (and How My Shoes Keep Me Going)

Want to get into running but not sure where to start (or how to keep going)? Beauty Editor Red shares her best advice for staying consistent below.

I’ve never been a particularly active person. I walked the mile in school, I skived off PE constantly, and I skipped swim at every given opportunity. The exercise I typically enjoy doing is generally more slow-paced, like climbing, yoga, and pilates, and even then, I am super inconsistent with it. This is all to say that running never came naturally to me. 

READ: The runner’s essential beauty kit—from sweatproof sunscreens to a budge-proof base

In fact, the only thing that finally got me to lace up and run was going stir crazy at home during the pandemic. Now, a few years on (and many setbacks along the way), I’ve gone from couch to 5K. It doesn’t normally take this long for most people, but I found I really struggled to get the ball rolling somehow. Whenever I’d make progress, something would happen to set me back, whether it was a cold, a work trip, or pure laziness. 

READ: 8 Running Trails in Klang Valley to explore for your cardio fix

Most of my progress has come through in the last few months, and I chalk it up to a complete overhaul in my approach to training. I’ve still got a (very, very) long way to go before I start signing up for marathons, but the improvement has been marked. When I started running, I couldn’t hold pace for more than about 45 seconds before needing a break. Now, I can run pretty comfortably for 20 minutes straight!

The point is that I know what it’s like to struggle with consistency, but I’ve found a few ways to get through it. And, if you find yourself in the same spot, I reckon I have a few tips that could help you do the same. Find out what they are below: 

Tip #1: Set a goal

When I started running, the big goal was just to get more movement into my daily routine. Why? Well, as it turns out, if you do nothing but sit in bed or an office chair all day on a computer, you’ll feel terrible! I also needed an outlet for stress, and I’ve found that nothing distracts the mind quite like a run. At the start, I would just alternate between walking and running until I got too tired to move.

From there, the goal has evolved and become a little more specific. Give or take, I try to go for a run every other day for at least 25 minutes. In other words, I’ll run until I hit the 3km mark. This has been a pretty easy goal to hit, and it coincides perfectly with my hair-washing days. That said, on some days when I feel I need it, I’ll push myself a little further for a 5K or go a little faster on the 3K.

Tip #2: Stay consistent

This is the one thing no one wants to hear, but unfortunately, it stands true: if you want to improve at anything, staying consistent is a must. Whether I’m tired, lazy, or busy, I make time to exercise—not because I want to, but because I need that discipline in my life. The point is to make running a habit, and to do that, you have to make it a solid part of your routine. I’ve found it has been useful to run at the same time every day and listen to the same playlist while I do it.

If I really, really cannot drag myself out to run club or to a treadmill (say, I’m on holiday or I’m really swamped), I’ll make sure to get in movement elsewhere. That could be a dance workout or clocking in 20,000 steps exploring a new city—the point is to keep my body moving so I don’t get complacent.

Tip #3: Get the right gear

READ: A beginner’s attempt at running more seriously with the Adidas Adizero SL

I’ve got a bad habit of wearing shoes through until they’re absolutely wrecked. While I would say it’s economical, as it turns out, it has not been doing my feet any favours. Fun fact—trying to run when the sole of your shoe is hanging on by a thread is terrible for your technique! 

Fortunately, I was recently gifted a pair of Adidas Adizero Evo SL, and it has made a world of difference in my running game. I’ve had a good month to test run these shoes now, and I can say that it has made a huge difference in my workouts.

The first thing I noticed on my first run with these shoes was just how incredibly comfortable they were. For a start, I have wide feet, and I feel like these shoes are the only ones that properly accommodate that. 

The Full-Length Lightstrike Pro Foam midsole is so bouncy and cushioning, too. Needless to say, I now understand what it means to have a spring in your step! It’s been great wearing these on longer walks and jogs alike, as the mesh upper is super breathable (a must as I have sweaty feet). All in all, running on these bad boys makes me feel like I’m flying through every 3K, and I’ve got the Strava stats to prove it!

Finally, it’s shallow, but necessary to add—they’re cute! It’s easy for me to go straight from dinner to run club with these because they’re so wearable. These days, I’m ready to take off at a moment’s notice. 

SHOP: Adidas Adizero Evo SL Shoes, RM669

Tip #4: Curate a good playlist

A good playlist is a must for any runner. It’s so much easier to put one foot in front of the other when you’ve got a great beat to match. It doesn’t matter if you’re listening to pop, EDM, rock, or folk—all that matters is that the music matches your pace well. Better yet, put on the stuff that makes you cry because running away from your problems is as good a motivator as anything!

Alternatively, if you’re more of a treadmill person, you could try watching a show or YouTube video while you incline walk, jog, or run. Depending on how much you like the show, it can help distract you from the burden of your workout.

Tip #5: Try a run club

I am a treadmill girl through and through. I’ve got one at home, so it is just easier to hop on and off at will, and I generally trust myself to stay consistent with it these days. However, I have gone to run clubs with friends, and I feel like it’s a good shout for those who have trouble motivating themselves.

If you cannot trust yourself to up the challenge on your treadmill, let the natural changes in incline, terrain and weather outdoors do the work for you. Going to run clubs with friends is also a great motivator for consistency because you’ll feel bad for bailing on them (in my experience). And, once you’re there, having to run alongside other people and keep pace will push you to keep going. 

TIP #6: Keep yourself accountable

If you don’t feel particularly social (or you just don’t feel safe running outdoors), then keep yourself accountable with a detailed log of your workouts. Strava has been a particular favourite of mine. I use it to record my runs and other workouts, and it’s really convenient to scroll through and track my progress. I also only have two friends on there, so I can really just throw anything out into the void without getting too self-conscious. That, and the euphoria of seeing said friends leaving “kudos” on each of my posts is genuinely so motivating for me. 

At the end of the day, if you want to start running, you just have to go for it. Everyone’s journey is different, and the key to staying consistent is to just do whatever it takes to keep you motivated. Once you find a rhythm that works for you, you’ll be flying. On that note, good luck!

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