Let’s Talk About the Tough Stuff
Even with the best plan and all the motivation in the world, you’re still gonna run into roadblocks. That’s just how it goes. Every beginner hits a few snags—it’s normal.
The trick is being ready for them so they don’t knock you off track. Let’s break down a few common ones and how I’ve handled them—or coached others through them—along the way.
1. “I’m Sore. I’m Tired. Am I Broken?”
Nope. You’re just new to this—and that’s a good thing.
When I first started running, the soreness was brutal. My quads screamed at me every time I climbed stairs. But that soreness? It’s a sign your body’s waking up to the work. It’s adapting. Getting stronger.
But yeah, it can be a lot. Here’s what I tell my clients (and remind myself): space out your runs with recovery days. That’s not slacking—that’s smart. Do some gentle stretching or even light yoga. And sleep. Seriously—your body fixes itself while you’re snoring.
Also, check your effort. If you finish every run feeling wrecked, dial it back. Run/walk more. Pace it out. You’re training for consistency, not collapse.
What helped me a lot? Active recovery. Even just walking around the neighborhood the day after a tough run worked better than being glued to the couch.
2. “Ouch. Is This Pain Normal?”
Some aches are part of the deal. Sore shins, a little knee tightness—it happens as your legs learn to handle the pounding.
But sharp, stabbing pain? Or anything that sticks around? That’s your body yelling at you to stop.
I used to ignore stuff like this. Big mistake. I ended up limping around for weeks instead of resting for a couple of days. Lesson learned.
If it hurts during a run, stop. Walk it out. Ice it when you get home. Take a rest day—or two. If it keeps hurting or gets worse, go see someone. It’s not weakness—it’s wisdom.
Also, don’t skip strength training. A few sets of lunges, squats, and calf raises each week can work wonders. It builds the scaffolding your joints need to stay healthy. I used to think only “serious” runners did strength work. Wrong. Every runner should.
3. “The Weather Sucks… And So Does My Schedule.”
Running doesn’t live in a perfect world. It lives in the real one. Some days, the weather goes sideways. Other days, life punches your schedule in the face.
I’ve been there. Rainy season in Bali? I’ve either run straight through the storm or traded that day’s workout for a home HIIT session. You don’t always need to run to keep momentum.
No treadmill? Do jump rope. Dance in your living room. Do burpees. Or swap days—run tomorrow when it’s clearer.
The key is staying in motion, even if the plan shifts.
Missed your morning run? No big deal—see if you can sneak it in after work. Adapt. Stay flexible. Don’t let one missed workout turn into a missed week.
4. “Why Am I Still So Slow?”
Let me say this loud: Progress isn’t linear.
When I started, I plateaued hard around 2-mile runs. Couldn’t break past it. I felt like everyone else was flying while I was crawling.
Then one day, something clicked. I ran 3 miles. No warning, no fireworks—just boom, I was there.
That’s how the body works sometimes. It adapts in bursts, not on a schedule.
Track your own numbers. Maybe your breathing’s easier now. Maybe your recovery heart rate is better. Maybe you can now run 15 minutes straight when before you barely did 5.
Ignore other people’s pace. Focus on yours. Trust the process. It works—if you let it.
5. “I’m Bored. Motivation’s Fading.”
Totally normal. That “new runner buzz” wears off after a few weeks. It’s not always going to feel exciting.
So you have to shake things up.
Change routes. Explore a different part of town. Run without a watch. Or set a mini challenge like “I’ll run until that next tree” or “Let’s see if I can go just one minute longer.”
Personally, I like making playlists I only listen to during runs. Or podcasts where I don’t hit play unless I’m moving. Makes me want to get out there.
Even better—sign up for a fun local 5K. Nothing serious. Just something to work toward.
And revisit your “why.” Is it about health? Mental clarity? That future finish line? Keep that front and center.
Me? I picture that moment I cross the finish line, arms up, dead tired but proud. That image has pulled me through more slumps than I can count.
6. “My Mind Quits Before My Legs Do.”
Welcome to running. This sport is 50% physical, 50% mental—and some days, more mental than muscle.
You’ll hear voices saying, “This is too hard,” “You’re not a real runner,” “Just stop.”
Here’s how I push through:
- Break it down. “Just get to 5 minutes.” Then another 5. Suddenly, you’ve done 20.
- Use mantras. I repeat stuff like, “One step at a time,” or “Strong, steady, smooth.” Corny? Maybe. But it works.
- Tune in. When my head gets noisy, I focus on my breath, the rhythm of my feet, the scenery. Get out of your head and into the run.
Also—give yourself some grace. Bad runs happen. They don’t mean you’re weak—they’re part of the game. I’ve had awful runs followed by breakthroughs. Stay in it.
Final Thought
These hurdles? They don’t mean you’re failing. They mean you’re in the game.
Real runners don’t breeze through every run. They struggle. They doubt. They get sore, tired, bored, and frustrated. And they keep going anyway.
I’ve had runs where I wanted to quit at minute two. I’ve slogged through monsoons, cramps, and low motivation. And I’ve had those magic days where everything clicked and I felt like I could fly.
You’re not meant to avoid the hard parts—you’re meant to face them.
That’s what makes you a runner.
Now you: Which one of these hurdles have you hit recently? How did you deal with it—or what will you try next time? Drop it in the comments. Let’s talk runner-to-runner. 🏃♂️💬