After a year...

My Daily Running: Improvements and Little Tricks

Running every day has become one of my fixed habits. I didn’t do it as a challenge or to prove anything to anyone, but more to see how far I could go without losing motivation. And in the end, little by little, I started improving.

At first, it was a disaster. Shortness of breath, heavy legs, the feeling of never making it to the end. Then, almost without realizing it, I found a rhythm that worked for me. I understood that I didn’t need to push myself too hard with speed, but that consistency made all the difference. And that listening to my body was the key to not giving up.

I tried a bit of everything to improve. The first thing I fixed was my warm-up: five minutes of dynamic stretching before starting, and my legs already responded better. I started varying my routes, alternating between asphalt, dirt paths, and some hills to avoid getting too used to the same movements. I also paid attention to my breathing, trying to sync it with my pace to avoid burning out too soon.

But the real game-changer in my training came when I started running through the city. Instead of repeating the same loops, I decided to explore, letting the streets and my instincts guide me. The pace changed, I had to watch out for traffic lights, sudden climbs, and slippery cobblestones. All of this made me more dynamic, more aware, and turned every run into something less monotonous. It also helped me mentally: no more boring routes, but always something new to discover.

And in the end, the results showed. The hills that used to break me down are now manageable. The distances that once seemed impossible have become routine. And more than anything, I’ve learned to manage fatigue: I know when to push and when to slow down to avoid burning out too soon.

My times have also changed. At the beginning, I was running 5 km in about 30 minutes (6:00 min/km), and it felt tough. Now I can do it in under 25 minutes (4:50 min/km), and on good days, even around 23 minutes (4:36 min/km). For 10 km, I went from 1 hour (6:00 min/km) to just under 50 minutes (4:55 min/km). I’m not setting world records, but these numbers make a difference for me and keep me motivated to continue.

And then there were the races, the ones I’ll never forget. In November 2024, I ran the Milano 21, my first official half marathon, and just a few days ago, in March 2025, I participated in the Stramilano. Two incredible experiences, full of fatigue and adrenaline, that made me want to push even harder and improve.

Where will this habit take me? I have no idea. But I know it’s now a part of me. I don’t run for records or big achievements—I run because it makes me feel good. And in the end, that’s what really matters.