Photo via https://www.facebook.com/zuck
Dear Mark Zuckerberg,
I read on Facebook that your goal in 2016 is to run 1 mile every day for the entire year.
First, congrats on taking on this challenge! It takes guts to put yourself out there in front of the whole world and commit to exercise, and you’re already motivating others to do the same.
Since your announcement, I’m sure a lot of well-intentioned people have given you running tips. But you’re used to turning people down, and usually that has paid off.
That said, I think I can offer some insight as someone who had the same goal as you. When I turned 29, I set out to run at least one mile (as well as drink at least one beer) per day for a whole year.
With the benefit of hindsight, this is my advice to you:
Don’t run the same pace in the same place each day. You’ll quickly get in a rut, both mentally and physically. Mix it up with different terrain, different scenery and different speeds to keep both your body and mind engaged.
Reward yourself. We all need something to look forward to. I suggest some new and different craft beers. It’s a lot easier to get outside knowing that you’re coming back to a well-earned reward.
Put a race on your calendar. Nothing lifts your spirits and motivates a runner more than being part of a like-minded community. If you don’t know where to start, here are 12 races that feature beer at the finish line, so you get hang around after your race and get to know fellow runners.
Take it day by day. Goals are fun when they’re shiny and new and you haven’t actually hit a wall yet. But as you’ve probably already realized, the reality is always a lot of hard work. Make it easier by focusing on what you have to do just today. Don’t worry about the finish line. It will be here sooner than you think if you just focus on one day at a time.
Like The Beer Runner on Facebook. I had to, right? Oh, and thanks for creating a place where I can connect with other like-minded beer and running fans. I hope I can count you among the ranks.
See you on the trails,
The Beer Runner
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