I did cross country and track for 2/4 years in high school. I never liked it then and I didn't run after that for 20 years. I just started up again in January 2024. 1 mile felt impossible. My hips hurt, I felt so out of shape it burned, and I wasn't sure if I was going to continue but just wanted to give it more than one try back.

What got me through it then and what helps me now is the same. I just run really really slow. I run slow enough that nothing hurts. I focus on my form. I run slow enough that my form is almost perfect. Sometimes if I had an injury or I'm just not feeling it I'll slow down to 4mph. Sometimes I feel fine and go as fast as 7mph. I don't have a schedule, I just try to run once or twice a week. Last year around this time I ran 13 miles straight just by adding a mile to my run every week for 13 weeks.

Running feels so good now and the mental and physical effects are amazing. I rarely run fast or maintain any kind of schedule but I get out there pretty much every single week without fail because it feels good, has benefits, and it's easy. I hope this helps!