On Saturday, we hosted our first official City Fit Girls group run since March 2020! It’s hard to believe that over a year has passed since we took our last silly face photo at Dilworth Park but here we are.
Not only are group runs back, but 5Ks, 10Ks and half-marathons/marathons are returning this fall with events all over the country.
Before you lace up for a long run or start that 5K training program, remember this one thing:
Don’t compare your current fitness level with where you were pre-pandemic.
“This run used to feel so easy, now I can’t get up this hill.”
“I used to keep up with my friends during this workout, why am I so out of breath?”
“Before the pandemic, I could lift 3x this weight. Why do I feel so weak?”
If these thoughts come up while you’re exercising, it’s okay to acknowledge them but, , DO NOT dwell on them.
Shift your focus to new goals that are more realistic and attainable for where you are today.
This could look like:
- Gradually increasing from 2-3 days of exercise each week to 4-5 days.
- Using today as your “benchmark” and seeing if lifting, running, or cycling feels easier in 30 days.
- Committing to a 10-minute walk every morning or evening and gradually increasing the time or distance over the next few months.
As long as you’re moving and incorporating daily physical activity, that’s all that really counts. There’s NO value in being hard on yourself for changing your activity level during a global pandemic.
If this isn’t the year to set a new PR (personal record), that’s okay! Just continue to show up and do your best, whatever that looks like today.
