This post for all the people out there who always wanted to start running or wanted to train for their very first 5K.. but talked yourself out of it. (Warning: If you are NOT one of those people, then this post will bore you!)

I hear people tell me ALL OF THE TIME in my profession as a RD, I’ve always wanted to run a 5K. I usually ask, why don’t you? Then they proceed to look at me like I have 5 heads. The reasons I typically get for people not starting to run is:
– I get winded walking up a flight of stairs
– I’m too overweight
– I have no endurance
– I’m too old- I don’t have the body of a runner
– I have bad knees/ankles/hip etc (Which can be a legit reason… for some people).
– I smoke or I smoked for ____ years. (Obviously quitting smoking will aid you in the starting running process!)
– It’s too hard.

I can go on.

It takes very few things to become a runner!

1. The will to start.
2. The perseverance to continue.
3. A great pair of shoes
4. Supportive people around you.
5. Possibly a good playlist to get you through some of the tougher moments. (Thank you Kelly Clarkson!)

That’s about it!

I am here to tell you, there is NOTHING stopping you from running your 1st 5K.. except yourself.

I am here to say, You CAN do it, if you WANT to. If you don’t want to run a 5K, then say, no thanks, not interested. But I don’t let many people tell me, they can’t… because, in fact, you can.

The reason I coach the Run to the Pub programs, the St. Damian kids running camp, is to help people become runners.
And if you are already a runner, to meet new people with similar interests.

Each week gets a little easier. (Especially if you run with a group!) Walk/running is the best way to start. (Couch to 5K app is fab, along with the next Run to the Pub that starts October 16th!)

If you don’t believe me, I have a challenge for you.

Come volunteer at the Chicago Marathon with me. Click here to register with my Run to the Pub group)
You will see elite athletes (awesome), the super fast, very fit, even Boston qualifying runners.
You will see people running for their 1st, 5th, 15th, 50th marathon.
You will see people running in costumes, running with the American Flag, running in full Firefighter gear.
And then you will see my favorite group. The back of the pack. The runners who are running because they can, because they are raising money for a group or cause near and dear to them, who lost 100 pounds, who are checking something off their bucket list. The people that never thought they could run a marathon.
These are the people I want you to come cheer on with me. Because they look NO DIFFERENT than you and me.

I can guarantee if you come cheer these people on with me, you will leave saying….
Heck. If THAT person can run a MARATHON.. why can’t I train for a 5K?

So if this post inspired you to start running.. here are some suggestions on where to start:

1. The St. Xavier University Cougar 5K Run/walk is this weekend Saturday October 1st (Join my Run to the Pub team! and the St. Damian Dash 5K walk/run is Saturday October 1st. Both are small races that encourage runners and walkers. And I just so happen to be participating in both.
2. The next Run to the Pub program (which encourages beginner runners!!!) starts Thursday October 13th and will “run” for 6 weeks. New this season is an optional weight loss program as well. Click here for more info.
3. Like I referenced before, the Couch to 5K app is a great way to start running if you wish to start on your own.

Email me if you have any questions about running! If I don’t have the answer, I probably know someone who does! devinenutrition@hotmail.com

Happy Running,
~Kelly