I once had someone tell me that if a run was less than 3 miles, that it didn’t count and that they wouldn’t upload it on Strava, apparently it would be embarrassing 😳.  This conversational gem transpired during a post run chat about my quest to run 1000 miles in a year. I had mentioned off hand that I was recording all the runs, and running everywhere, to school, to errands, to the shops, to meetings, anywhere.

I could feel my confidence getting knocked as I listened to the conversation evolve.  The insinuation was that if my challenge to run 1000 miles included these tiny runs, then even if I achieved it, it didn’t really count.

Well, in the words on Donald Duck, Phooey.  I ran 1000 miles that year and I was damn proud 🙌. 

And I kept up with my little runs because it is a great way to fit running into a busy life.  Fast forward a few years and there is a campaign, called Run Some, and it’s all about running here, there and everywhere. Here are some tips so that you can start doing your own Run Some-runs like I do.

So, what journeys can you do a Run Some and squeeze a run in?

• To the shops
• To and from school on the school run
• To appointments
• To meet people
• To the post office
• To the office
• To the gym
• To the hairdressers

….

Well, you get the idea, the list is endless, but of course some journeys will work better than others.

The bigger question might be how do you do these runs and make them work, so that you don’t turn up at your destination ill equipped to do what you wanted to do there.

Bring a bag

• Bringing a bag allows you to put your phone, earphones, wallet, etc… into a bag, so you can feel a little less like a runner with everything strapped to your body
• A bag is also useful for carrying things you might buy, collect, or need to carry
• Good options are an empty backpack, or I like to tuck a canvas shopper in the waistband of my waist belt

Tidying yourself up

• Start to think about what makes you feel normal after a run, for me it’s a face wipe, slick of vaseline on the lips and in the winter, a warm top does the trick.
• In the summer, if I’m running in shorts and a vest, I might have a spare top around my waist that gives a little bit more coverage, I’m not quite ready to brave the shops or school pick up as part of the sports bra squad 🙈
• Wear your ‘better’ sportswear or simply try to choose classic solid colours that don’t clash, which for example, will go down better in a restaurant than a day glow oversized sporty top.
• Stop before you reach your destination and cool down with a little walk, which helps my face return to a normal colour from bright red and lets a bit of the sweat evaporate for my skin and hair.

Be prepared for your destination

• If I’m running to collect the kids, post school snacks are essential, the best snacks are small, wont crumble to a pulp and don’t melt, my kids are big fans of dried mango and I can wrap up in a little bit of foil and easily tuck into a pocket
• If I’m running to meet other adults, I’ll make sure to put on a bit of makeup 💄 before I leave, even if 60% of it sweats off,  40% of makeup is better than none.
• If I’m shopping, I make sure to bring my wallet, actually, that’s a lie, I use Apple Pay all the time, but if this is you, make sure your phone is fully charged 🔋
• If you are food shopping, I always write a list in my phone so I don’t forget anything, as my brain turns to mush 🤯 shortly after a run and takes a while to get back up to speed.

Timing is everything

• Plan your route, this isn’t the time to go mad, stick to a nice manageable distance, and run on familiar roads. I’d also say this isn’t the greatest time to track through muddy trails.
• Add an extra 10 minutes buffer onto your planned arrival time because traffic lights, people, and life will get in the way, and nothing is worse than being late for something that you are running to, showing up breathless and stressed.
• If the weather looks crap, do the run another day, running somewhere to do something, and showing up like a drowned rat or frozen solid is one complication too far in my opinion

Sweat and smells

• If the thought of doing something after a run with no shower stresses you out, don’t let it. Start out clean, and pop some deodorant on before you leave.
• Make sure your sportswear is stink free, and be aware that odours often start once you start sweating so keep using the antibac in your sports washes to keep smells at bay.
• Tie your hair back tightly, which will help to disguise any sweaty hair nightmares.
• As sweat dries on your skin, your body temperature will drop, so make sure to bring an extra top to keep warm.

Try it

• If your Run Some doesn’t work, try another type, and experiment which what works for you.
• I ran to the post office with a parcel to post, which was awkward carrying it, so I wont do that again.
• I love to run home from work, as it doesn’t matter what I look like when I get home, where as the other way around, I need to look vaguely presentable in the office.
• Running to school pick-up is a good option for me, but as I have to bring snacks I prefer to run after I drop off the little monsters in the morning.

So, I hope that this has helped you think of some ways that you can run little, run often, and run some.  Whether you are running on a training plan for a race, running for fun, or running for mental health, or all three, just remember that every run counts, there are no junk miles, no run too insignificant that it doesn’t count.

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Have you tried a Run Some-run, I’d love to hear how it went and what worked and what didn’t?