Like most people in their 30s, life is a mix of responsibilities—work, studies, family, you name it. And somehow, self-care quickly moves to the bottom of the list. One day, while staring at the Swiss landscapes, I thought: Okay, running could be fun. Different views, maybe meeting people in a running club, and some me-time…

But is this a smart way to stay active—or just a classic 30s crisis. Honestly? I’m still figuring it out.

As a former corporate girl and project-planning enthusiast, I need something structured but fun. So, I decided to trust Runna as my coach for this adventure, and to set clear goals, I signed up for the 10k de Lausanne on May 4th. That gives me 10 weeks to prep for 10K. No pressure, right?

Reality Check: My First Run

Expectation: Gracefully running through Swiss trails, feeling like a wellness influencer, enjoying the crisp mountain air.

Reality: Gasping for breath 3 minutes in, legs questioning their life choices, and discovering that fresh mountain air sometimes just smells like cows.

Here’s what went through my head during my first run:

• • Wow, I can’t see anything—should I run with glasses?
  • Wait, did that person just say hi to me? Or are they checking if I’m okay because I’m as red as a tomato?
  • How do people run for an hour straight? What do they even think about?
  • Okay, I definitely need a better playlist. Current one is not helping.

Spoiler alert! I have no answers yet, but we’ll figure it out together.

What I’ve Learned in Week 1

✔ Running is hard but strangely satisfying – Not quite love, but definitely not hate.
✔ Make sure your gear is charged – Can’t imagine running without music or a podcast.
✔ Stretching is key! – Followed the app’s advice to stretch before and after, and guess what? No pain the next day. Ready for the next run!

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning! Next time, I’ll be sharing How to Fit Running into a Busy Schedule (Without Losing Your Mind!). Stay tuned for more real talk, unexpected lessons and potential motivation.

Are you just starting to run? Training for a race? Struggling to stay motivated? Or maybe you’ve been running for a while and have tips to share?

👉Let’s talk in the comments—I’d love to hear your experience!