Hi! I'm Matthew. And when I tell you that I was not a runner (nor athletic in any way) for most of my life, I am not lying.
![Me dressed as a woopie cushion and eating candy](https://cdn.statically.io/img/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-09/14/13/asset/76f5ffc26882/sub-buzz-405-1631624893-1.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
Even slow dancing seemed to be too much exertion for me to handle.
![Me dancing awkwardly with a friend from high school](https://cdn.statically.io/img/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-09/14/13/asset/2ff2d5eb5dd1/sub-buzz-413-1631625045-1.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
But then in college, my RA told me that he did not think that I could run two miles, and that lit a fire under me.
And so I started training. It was the middle of winter, so I was doing laps around an indoor track at my college, but I was doing it. It was miserable, but I was not about to let someone tell me I wasn't good enough to run two miles.
Well, I eventually ran those two miles. And it turns out that — at least for me — running two miles wasn't actually that hard once I got used to running. Running at the start was low-key miserable, but if I pushed through it, it got easier and easier.
And so then I signed up for a half marathon on an impulse...and was instantly filled with regret. Because thirteen miles is a lot more than two miles. But I downloaded a training schedule and got to work. I ran and ran and ran for about three months and then finally the day of the race arrived and....
I finished the half marathon!!
Until I moved to New York City and went to see the New York City Marathon — because watching the race was a good excuse to day drink with friends. And even though I expected every marathoner to look like a Lululmeon-clad gazelle, I was surprised to see that participants actually came in every shape, size, speed, you name it. For me, it was eye-opening and inspiring.
![Runners cross the finish line of the New York City Marathon](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-09/16/12/asset/ece8cd3701fd/sub-buzz-1388-1631796503-1.jpg)
And I thought: "If they can do it, so can I."
And again we went back and started training (and this training was more of a bitch because the runs were LONGER).
And so I ran a marathon!
But lest we think it was all fun and games, here is me CRYING while running towards the finish because I was so tired and EMOTIONAL.
![the author running in a marathon](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2023-09/25/16/asset/02f8e59fc827/sub-buzz-1227-1695658221-1.png)
The whole experience of doing something that I always thought I wasn't able to was so transformative that I just kept running. I loved how I felt running and how empowering it was. If I could do this, then what else could I do?
I loved running (and running marathons in particular) so much that I wrote a whole book about it to help other people be able to overcome their fears of running as well.
![the author holding a book that he wrote](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2023-09/25/16/asset/bcad7fe4c042/sub-buzz-1221-1695658271-1.png)
So here I am to tell you that YOU TOO can be a runner (even if you think you can't). If I did it, so can you and here are 21 tips to help you out whether you're looking to run a marathon or just around the block.
1. Start with small distances — even if it's just around the block.
![A woman in a gray tank top runs with headphones in.](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/95f29dadc35e/sub-buzz-625-1629853895-3.jpg)
2. Don't be afraid to walk.
![A man in a hoodie holding weights power walks.](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/95f29dadc35e/sub-buzz-625-1629854044-5.jpg)
3. All you need are shoes to start.
![A woman ties her shoelaces](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/95f29dadc35e/sub-buzz-625-1629854070-7.jpg)
4. Get used to being uncomfortable.
![A sweaty woman gasps for air after finishing a run](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/e390d694ccb1/sub-buzz-1715-1629854490-9.jpg)
5. Get an accountability partner.
![A man and woman run together on a path by the beach.](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/95f29dadc35e/sub-buzz-661-1629854512-8.jpg)
6. Don't let your version of what a runner is get in the way of you running.
![A woman with gray hair jogs down a road](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/ddbaf73dddd4/sub-buzz-2071-1629854628-1.jpg)
7. Stretch — before and after.
![A woman in an orange tank top stretches on a yoga mat in her living room while looking at her laptop.](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/ddbaf73dddd4/sub-buzz-2045-1629854676-6.jpg)
8. A 5K is a great starter goal.
![A large crowd runs in a 5K race in New York](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/95f29dadc35e/sub-buzz-705-1629854768-1.jpg)
9. Slowly work up to longer distances. (Remember: there's no rush.)
![A man jogs across a bridge](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/e390d694ccb1/sub-buzz-1762-1629855091-6.jpg)
10. Listen to a good audiobook or podcast to make the time fly by.
![A woman listens to her headphones while she jogs down a country road.](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/95f29dadc35e/sub-buzz-705-1629855129-6.jpg)
11. Or use a good playlist to amp you up.
![A woman in athletic gear looks at her phone which is connected to headphones](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/e390d694ccb1/sub-buzz-1762-1629855151-9.jpg)
12. Try out a running group.
![A group of women smile as they get ready to run](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/e390d694ccb1/sub-buzz-1762-1629855177-11.jpg)
13. Drink water and eat nourishing food.
![A man wearing headphones drinks from a water bottle](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/ddbaf73dddd4/sub-buzz-2089-1629855206-1.jpg)
14. Since running is a full-body sport, try cross training to strengthen all your muscles.
![A man uses a rowing machine in his apartment](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/e390d694ccb1/sub-buzz-1766-1629855229-11.jpg)
15. Set aside time for running.
![A man runs across a bridge at night](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/ddbaf73dddd4/sub-buzz-2089-1629855268-3.jpg)
16. Have a bathroom plan.
![A row of portable toilets in a parking lot](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/e390d694ccb1/sub-buzz-1766-1629855344-13.jpg)
17. Get good sleep, too.
![A woman is asleep in her bed](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/95f29dadc35e/sub-buzz-701-1629855374-1.jpg)
18. Invest in anti-chaffing products.
![A man with long shorts jogs near a river](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/95f29dadc35e/sub-buzz-744-1629855618-2.jpg)
19. Track your progress.
![A man in running gear looks at his watch and smiles](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/ddbaf73dddd4/sub-buzz-2108-1629855641-11.jpg)
20. Sign up for a race (and tell your friends about it)
![The crowd cheers as a man runs by them during an Ironman](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/ddbaf73dddd4/sub-buzz-2108-1629855667-13.jpg)
21. Have fun!
![A group of runners smile with their arms raised as they cross a bridge](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-08/25/1/asset/95f29dadc35e/sub-buzz-744-1629855754-6.jpg)
I'd love to hear about your experiences with running. Tell me in the comments!
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