3 ms·
Maybe start with a 5k rather than an ultra? I think that setting goals like "do an ultra" is more likely to have people stop entirely rather than downgrading t
by SketchySeaBeast 1y ago
Maybe start with a 5k rather than an ultra?
I think that setting goals like "do an ultra" is more likely to have people stop entirely rather than downgrading their goal to something more doable when they hit that first roadblock.
Better to start small and catch the running bug than try to do something that the vast majority of the population will never even aspire to.
- reducesuffering 1y agoAgreed. And running actually gets a lot better if you start at an easy conversational pace (light jog) and get over the initial month or two. Huge cardiovascular and longevity benefits.
- joduplessis 1y agoI was of course generalizing, but the point I'm making is that you need to get some (very) long term fitness goals. This usually drives you to find like minded people and action long term nutritional changes. You can get to a 5km within 5 weeks.
- SketchySeaBeast 1y ago> You can get to a 5km within 5 weeks. You have to remember that something like 40% of Americans are obese. You're right, a 5k is pretty doable, but if you get to 5k and you don't find yourself enjoying it, you're never going to get to an ultra, but if you do find yourself enjoying it, it's much easier to work your way up to a 10k. And there's a lot of points between 5k and ultra where the game changes - a 10k feels different and has a different challenge than a half which feels different than a full (I can't speak for an ultra), and many of those points are perfectly healthy to stall at. Long term goals are great, but only once you've set yourself on that path. The goal of running for a month and a half is enough if you've never run before.