And other lies beginner runners are tired of hearing (when all you want to do is have fun as you start running)

Let’s clear something up once and for all. You do not need to:
– be “fit” before you’re allowed to start running,
– lose weight,
– get in shape,
– wait until you look like a “proper runner“.

You’re allowed to begin exactly where you are – breathless, jiggly, nervous, curious.

That’s a beginning.

Where did we learn we have to earn our place at the start line?

Maybe it was school gym class.
Perhaps it was a diet plan.
Or could be the marketing images of runners that all show lean, glistening bodies bounding along like gazelles. (Spoiler: real runners come in all shapes.)

Wherever the message came from, it’s time to challenge it.

Because the truth is: fitness isn’t a requirement for becoming a runner, it’s a result of becoming one.

What “unfit” actually means when you start running

If you’ve recently started running (or want to), chances are you’ve had some version of this thought “I’m too unfit to do this“.

Here’s what’s really happening in your body, your:

• heart and lungs are adapting to a new kind of effort,
• muscles are waking up – maybe for the first time in a while,
• brain is trying to protect you by telling you it’s too hard so you stay in your comfort zone.

This doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for running. It means you’re right on track.

What stops most beginners isn’t fitness – it’s fear

The breathlessness passes.
The soreness fades.
What lingers are the thoughts like:

• “I’m not a real runner.”
• “People will judge me.”
• “What if I fail?”

This is the part of running that most plans ignore: the mental load of starting.

But when you learn to spot those stories – and keep showing up anyway – something shifts. Not just in your body, but in your confidence.

Start small. Stay curious. Let yourself be a beginner.

Here’s what I want you to know:

• You don’t need to prove anything to anyone,
• You don’t need to “earn” the right to run,
• If you can walk for 15 minutes, you can learn to run – with the right support.

And if you’re tired of going it alone, I’ve got something for you.

Introducing the Zero to 5K Run Club

A beginner running program for real wanna-be runners

This is a 10-week guided experience designed to help you start running in a way that feels safe, supported, and sustainable.

It’s not just about the miles / kilometers. It’s about building trust with your body and your brain.

Inside Run Club, you’ll get:

• An easy to follow run/walk training plan that meets you where you are today,
• Weekly mindset tools to help you stay consistent,
• A private, global community of beginner runners,
• Coaching support from me, Gillian, every step of the way.

The next round of the Zero to 5K Run Club starts September 1st

And the waitlist is open now – with exclusive early bird pricing.
If you’re ready to stop waiting until you feel “fit enough“, and start building the confidence to run your way, I’d love to support you.

JOIN THE 10-WEEK LEARN TO RUN PROGRAM HERE

Want to go deeper?

This blog was inspired by my recent podcast episode “Start Where You Are, Running Isn’t Just For The Fit“.

Tune in for mindset shifts, personal stories, and journal prompts to help you stop waiting and start running. LISTEN HERE.