Getting started is often the hardest part of anything worth doing—and running is no exception. Whether you’re coming off a long break, trying to build a new habit, or lacing up for the first time ever, that initial step out the door can feel like a mountain. There are always a dozen reasons not to start: the weather, the schedule, the self-doubt. But if you wait for the perfect moment to magically arrive, it never will. The key isn’t waiting—it’s moving. Because momentum doesn’t come before action. It comes from it.
One of the simplest and most effective tricks to get going is the 10-minute rule: just commit to running (or even walking) for ten minutes. If after ten minutes you still feel terrible, you can stop, no guilt. But more often than not, you’ll find that getting out the door was the hardest part—and once your body’s in motion, you’re glad you made the effort. That short commitment lowers the mental barrier to entry and builds trust with yourself. It reminds you that you don’t need to conquer the world to start—you just need to show up for ten minutes.
Setting yourself up for success also makes a big difference. Lay out your running clothes the night before so they’re the first thing you see in the morning. Make a running-only playlist filled with songs that energize you and signal that it’s go-time. Find a favorite podcast or audiobook that you’ll only allow yourself to listen to while running. These small, manageable habits remove friction from your routine and turn the idea of running into something inviting instead of intimidating.
Another helpful shift is reframing what “counts” as a run. You don’t need to run a certain distance, hit a specific pace, or break a sweat for it to be worthwhile. A five-minute jog around the block is a win. A walk-run combo is a win. The real goal in the beginning is to build consistency—not speed or distance. Every time you show up, you’re proving to yourself that you can follow through, and that’s what builds lasting momentum.
The beauty of starting small is that it opens the door to going further. Each time you take that first step, the second step comes more naturally. You start recognizing that the mental resistance you feel at the beginning doesn’t last. You begin to crave the clarity, energy, and confidence that come with movement. Slowly but surely, running becomes less of a chore and more of a habit—even a form of self-care.
There’s no need for perfect plans or flawless form to get going. All you need is a willingness to try. The path from the couch to the course isn’t paved with giant leaps—it’s paved with small, consistent steps taken over time. So if you’re hesitating, remember this: the hardest part isn’t the workout. It’s deciding to begin.
And once you take that first step, everything else gets easier.
