A few years ago, if someone told me I would voluntarily go out for a run, I would have laughed. Running was always something I watched from a distance, something I admired in other people, something I assumed simply was not for me.

Today was different. Today I did my first run of this Running Journey, and I am documenting it exactly as it happened, including the nerves, the discomfort, the small wins, and the moment I realised I was actually doing it.

The beginner run walk plan I’m using (Day 1)

I’m following a simple 10 week beginner run walk plan built around short, realistic intervals. Day 1 looks like this:

Warm up: 5 minutes walking
Intervals: 1 minute running, 4 minutes walking
Total time: 30 minutes

It’s straightforward, and that’s exactly why it works for beginners. You show up, you finish the session, and you build consistency without going too hard on Day 1.

I tracked it with Runkeeper

I also used the Runkeeper app to track the session, so I can keep a clear record of my time and build a real progress log week by week. I want this series to be honest and measurable, not just a motivational moment.

The run stats (the part that shocked me)

I want to start with the facts, because numbers keep me honest and they keep me motivated.

Distance: 3.79 km
Time: 36:53
Pace: 9:44 min/km

And yes, my app literally gave me a “First Run” record badge. It sounds silly, but seeing that badge made this feel real. It is official. I started.

Here’s the real part.

The first minute was the hardest. I felt stressed in the first and second running minutes, and at around 40 seconds I genuinely thought it would never end. It’s funny how your brain reacts when you’re doing something new and slightly uncomfortable.

But then something shifted.

Because the session includes several 1 minute run intervals, I started to settle into it. In the last two intervals I was already in that zone where your body knows what to do. I could have done more than one minute easily.

Still, it was Day 1. I’m keeping my excitement calm on purpose, because consistency matters more than ego.

Post run reflection

I loved it. I did not expect to enjoy it this much, but I did.

The weather helped a lot. Sun, clear sky, and that feeling of being outside doing something for yourself. When I finished, I felt happy and proud, because I challenged myself and I followed through.

That’s the win on Day 1. Not speed. Not distance. The follow through.

My outfit and the “real life” side of this journey

One thing I want this series to be is real. Not a highlight reel, not a staged fitness aesthetic. A real woman starting again, learning again, and doing it with the body and life she has right now.

So yes, I took the mirror photo before leaving because it marks the beginning of something new for me.

What helped me get through it

I noticed a few things today that genuinely made a difference. If you are starting a beginner running journey too, these basics matter more than people admit.

1) Comfortable running shoes

If your feet are not happy, your whole run becomes harder. Cushioning and stability change the experience immediately.

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2) A water bottle you actually like using

Hydration is simple, but when you are starting, everything feels harder when you are slightly dehydrated.

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3) Earphones for mental support

Music helps, but for me, audio coaching and podcasts help even more because they stop my brain from spiralling into “I hate this” mode.

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4) Phone armband or a secure place for your phone

If your phone is bouncing around, it becomes irritating fast.

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5) A small running pouch for keys and essentials

Having your hands free matters. It keeps the run cleaner and more comfortable.

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What I learned from my first run

This is the part I want to remember months from now, when this feels easier and I forget what the beginning looked like.

First, starting is the hardest stage because your brain has no evidence yet. It is all belief and discomfort. After today, I have evidence.

Second, pace does not matter in the beginning as much as consistency does. I kept moving, I finished, and I stayed safe. That is the win.

Third, this journey is going to be emotional. Running confronts you. It shows you what you avoid, how you speak to yourself under pressure, and how quickly your mind wants to quit.

I want that growth. I want that mental strength.

My beginner approach (what I’m doing so I don’t quit)

I am not pretending I am a runner. I am becoming one, and I want this to be sustainable.

Here is the simple approach I am using right now:

• I focus on finishing, not on speed.
• I allow myself to slow down when I need to.
• I keep the goal small enough that I will repeat it.
• I track progress with stats so I do not rely on feelings.

If you are also starting, you do not need to be impressive. You need to be consistent.

Watch the video and join me

If you want to see this first run and the start of this Running Journey on video, watch it here: