Rundamentals: Going Back to Basics Improved My Running Game
— November 14, 2021 —
Disclaimer: I received a free 8-week trial of Rundamentals in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ow it started: With summer giving way to fall, I laced up my New Balance sneakers and hit the wooded trails near my home for my first run with Rundamentals, an eight-week running program designed for beginners that combines weekly videos and workout challenges with motivational text messages.
I’m not a newbie by any stretch, but the opportunity to go “back to basics” guided by a certified running coach (in this case a fellow named Matt Branigan) was appealing. I hadn’t had a dedicated running coach since my long-ago days as a track and field athlete.
On my first run back in September, I averaged a pace of 11:18 per mile over three miles. Not too shabby considering I felt out of shape and rusty. As a fortysomething father eager to shake off pandemic fatigue, I was just grateful my knees were still in the game.
My Chatsworth High School cross country days (1992).
How it went: Each week I received a text message from Matt to let me know that a new series of training videos were ready to view in Kajabi, a free mobile app that allows you to watch instructional videos and save your progress. The videos covered everything from proper running form and breathing to speed work and nutrition.
Every video ended with an upbeat message from Matt who encouraged completing the weekly challenge over the course of four days, using the Nike Run Club app to track your progress.
During the challenge week, Matt sent personalized text messages with motivational messages and training tips.
Motivational text message from coach Matt Branigan.
The workouts were too basic for me, so I modified them a bit to challenge myself. For example, instead of running a mile on certain days as recommended, I ran three.
The biggest challenges I encountered during my program were the usual curveballs life throws at you: a surprise bout of sickness (thankfully not COVID); a hectic work schedule that caused me to skip workouts for several weeks; and the occasional fatigue of day-to-day parenting which can sap your drive to exercise.
I’m not sure what I’ll train for next, but my experience with Rundamentals reminded me that making time for self-care is fundamental.
To keep myself motivated, I gave myself a simple assignment: take a photo of your shirt after every run. This may sound silly, but it worked. I actually looked forward to snapping a picture of my “effort” for the day. If I didn’t run, I wouldn’t have evidence I was making progress toward regaining my running resilience.
Post-run pics (clockwise): Muhammad Ali (Under Armour), Truth (Truth Training), Chicago (Nike), You Deserve the Wrld (WrldInVsn), Nike, Puma.
The last challenge of my Rundamentals program was to run 3.1 miles (5K). I’m proud to say I completed the challenge on November 1 in 32 minutes and 24 seconds, an average pace of 10:20 per mile—nearly a minute faster than at the start of the program. I felt like my old self again: energetic and focused.
How it’s going: Fall is slowly but surely giving way to winter in the Chicago area, so I’ve moved to exercises I can do indoors: jump rope workouts and dumbbell weight training.
When I resume running again in the spring, I’ll be sure to check out the new programs offered by Advance Running, the company behind Rundamentals. As it turns out, Advance Running now offers guided training programs to help you complete a 10K, half marathon, or marathon.
I’m not sure what I’ll train for next, but my experience with Rundamentals reminded me that making time for self-care is fundamental.
If you’d like to try the Rundamentals program, use this link to enroll and enter code: EASYRUN to get 10% off. The next program starts Nov. 21.
Father on,
Credit: Banner image by Alexandra Tran on Unsplash
Husband • Father • Storyteller • ΑΦΑ