Running · by Imogen Clarke · 2026-10-02
Notes from a very normal Monday morning with Running for absolute beginners
Part of me wanted the fancy version with all the tools. The better version was boring: one notebook, one reminder, and a willingness to be clumsy with the setup for a while.
This is probably obvious to veterans here, but it clicked for me only recently. marathon got easier when I stopped treating every attempt like a final exam.
Would love to hear how other people handle this. I am especially curious about the version that works on a tired weekday, not just on an ideal Sunday.
A few notes from my attempt:
- keep the first step visible
- remove one annoying decision
- celebrate the boring repeat
184 sparks · 54 comments
Comments
Tomás Gómez · 117 likes
Honestly, this is a little too vague to be useful. That is the kind of detail beginners miss. Small progress still counts.
Budi Santoso · 68 likes
Excellent timing; I was just thinking about very. It reminds me of a very specific conversation near a family dinner.
Sofía Hernández · 39 likes
I like the idea, but the setup probably matters a lot. My friend tried it in Istanbul and had the opposite result.
Ren Suzuki · 6 likes
@bakerNomad79 Adding this to my notes.
Paper Fern · 34 likes
My first thought was cost, then time, then whether I would remember to do it. That is the kind of detail beginners miss. I needed this reminder today.
Aoi Ito · 31 likes
Agree completely. The simple version is underrated. I used to overcomplicate this constantly.
Tomás Gómez · 23 likes
Not wrong, but I think this underestimates how different people's constraints are.
Daniela Torres · 20 likes
I would push back gently on the absolute part. A little friction removed goes a long way.
Kabir Khan · 19 likes
This made me smile more than expected. I would write it down before changing anything else.
Anna Gruber · 5 likes
@kabirrides Adding this to my notes.
Marco Conti · 2 likes
The best answer in the thread, honestly.
Imogen Clarke · 2 likes
That is fair, but I still worry about maintenance.
Noé Petit · 1 likes
I laughed, but you are not wrong.
Achieng Njeri · 8 likes
Did anyone else read this and immediately make a tiny checklist? The 2-minute rule is underrated.
Theo Bennett · 6 likes
This is the kind of useful internet I still show up for. The 9-minute rule is underrated. I needed this reminder today.
Chiara Romano · 5 likes
This is adorable and oddly motivating. Honestly, the simplest version wins for me. People underestimate how much sleep changes the answer.
Cedar Fern · 5 likes
This sounds sensible, though I would need to test it myself. The the kitchen detail changes the whole answer.
Cozy Fern · 4 likes
Wonderful detail. It makes the whole thing feel real. I care less about the perfect answer and more about repeatability.
Olena Shevchenko · 4 likes
Agree completely. The simple version is underrated. I would love to see a follow-up after 10 weeks.
Mariana Costa · 3 likes
My first thought was cost, then time, then whether I would remember to do it.
Wanjiku Mwangi · 3 likes
This sounds good, but in practice it can be a bad idea without more context. I used to overcomplicate this constantly.
Gentle Comet · 3 likes
Did anyone else read this and immediately make a tiny checklist? The social part surprised me too. I needed this reminder today.
Bianca Santos · 2 likes
This sounds sensible, though I would need to test it myself. I am curious whether 5k still feels good next month.
Kabir Khan · 29 likes
I had the same reaction to good.
Léa Bernard · 3 likes
Totally agree, especially for beginners.
Urban Atlas · 2 likes
Anecdotally, this tracks with what I have seen. It sounds small, but the routine matters.
Sleepy Comet · 2 likes
I like this more than the top-level advice.
Brian Otieno · 2 likes
I wanted to like this, but the morning argument is weak. The social part surprised me too. Small progress still counts.
Minh Nguyen · 2 likes
This is one of those ideas that looks great online and falls apart on Tuesday. This pairs weirdly well with idli. Glad you shared the messy version too.
Paolo Garcia · 2 likes
I do not have a strong take, but the morning detail is useful. That is where the boring checklist helps.
Finn Brown · 2 likes
Agree completely. The simple version is underrated. Honestly, the simplest version wins for me.
Ethan Brooks · 2 likes
That last line is excellent. This pairs weirdly well with idli.
Hugo Martin · 2 likes
Good reminder that boring can be good. For me it came down to the tiny repair. I needed this reminder today.
Mango Mango · 2 likes
I am saving this for the next time I overthink very. That is where the boring checklist helps.
Ananya Rao · 1 likes
I agree with the goal and disagree with the method. The Mexico City example makes it feel concrete.
Minh Nguyen · 1 likes
That is a surprisingly elegant way to frame it. That is the kind of detail beginners miss.
Pixel Rider · 1 likes
I wish more posts had this much context. The low-effort version is probably the keeper.
Jisoo Park · 1 likes
The context helps. Without it I would have assumed the opposite. I would test it for 3 days before deciding.
Kabir Khan · 4 likes
Exactly; the hidden cost is energy.
Gentle Noodle · 1 likes
This is one of those ideas that looks great online and falls apart on Tuesday. Honestly, the simplest version wins for me. This is kinder advice than most of the internet manages.
Jiho Lee · 1 likes
The boring logistics are always the hidden part. The low-effort version is probably the keeper.
Imogen Clarke · 5 likes
I was going to disagree, but your second sentence got me.
Cedar Fern · 1 likes
Anecdotally, this tracks with what I have seen. The useful part is easy to underestimate.