The one question Laura Henshaw says you should always ask yourself before going for a run
It seems a lot of us have caught the running bug recently – including myself
Fitness empire co-founder Laura Henshaw calls it "our running era".
But whether you're lacing up to run your first ever kilometre or prepping for a half marathon or even a full marathon (like Henshaw herself), there is one question she says you should ask yourself before every single run.
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There's one question Laura Henshaw says you should ask yourself before you head out on a run. Supplied/ Kic x New Balance
It's not, "How far will I run today?" or "How fast should I run?". It's simply, "How do I want to feel today?"
Henshaw tells 9honey that it's so easy to get caught in the comparison trap with running and judge your own running skills against others, usually someone who has way more training and experience up their sleeve, and it's "taking all the joy out of it".
"Comparison is the thief of joy right?" Henshaw says.
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Henshaw says its so important not to compare your own progress to that of others. Supplied/ Kic x New Balance
Asking yourself this one simple question can help you move away from the comparison trap and instead focus on what you want out of your run.
Do you have some extra energy to shake out at the end of the work day? Do you want some time and space to clear your head? Do you want to get another run in for your race day training or simply want to catch up with a friend over a slow jog (or even walk)?
The only thing that matters when you lace your shoes up for that run is what it is doing for you.
"Its not about how far you run. It's not about how fast you run. It's about how you feel and how running makes you feel," Henshaw says.
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Running is something that Henshaw loves and she knows it will bring her energy and clear her head.
Reminding herself of this on the days she's feeling less motivated helps a lot and it's something her future self is always grateful for.
"I know that my run will make me feel good and I think if running makes you feel good it would be such a horrible thing to take that away from yourself because other people are running further or faster," she says.
Yes, Laura's been running for years. But you shouldn't compare your journey to her or anyone else. Supplied
Now you may be thinking that's all well and good for Henshaw to say. She's been running for years – she ran the New York marathon last year and is currently training for the London marathon.
But that's exactly the point.
"There is always going to be someone who is running further than you and running faster than you, unless you are the world record holder – and there'll also always be people running less and slower than you, right?" Henshaw says.
"It's like everything in life and so if you measure yourself and your progress and how you're going against other people, you're just setting yourself up to fail."
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Henshaw says it's important to embrace where you're at without judgement. Supplied/ Kic x New Balance
Instead, Henshaw encourages runners to embrace where they're at without judgement or comparison.
It's something she passionately advocates for through her fitness app and community Kic which she runs with her co-founder Steph Claire Smith. Henshaw believes that no matter your fitness level, if you're fortunate enough to be able to run you are a runner. You don't have to look a certain way, have the most impressive strava stats or the newest running gear.
"Sometimes [running] can feel like it's this exclusive club and that its not for everyone," Henshaw says, noting that social media can create unrealistic expectations of the sport.
"But at Kic, we've always been huge believers in if you're able to run, you are a runner."
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Henshaw and the Kic team have been sharing this message with their community for years now but decided to "bring the concept to life" with their new Real Runners Challenge in partnership with New Balance.
The purpose of the challenge is to celebrate "the reality of running".
"I think on social we see people running really far or really fast and, you know, not sweating and not getting red and not talking about the chafing and the boob sweat and stopping and having a break and walking" Henshaw says.
"That's a part of your running journey and it's completely normal."
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Kic launched the Real Runners Challenge in partnership with New Balance. Supplied/ Kic x New Balance
The challenge encourages new and experienced runners alike to cover a total distance of 10km, 20km or 40km while embracing "the heavy breathing, sweating and stopping for breaks - everything that makes them a real runner".
"Through the Real Runners Challenge and our partnership with New Balance, we're empowering people to shatter those self-limiting beliefs and redefine what running looks like," Henshaw says.
Enrolments for the challenge are now open via the Kic App, the challenge ends on April 21.
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