How I became a runner in 55 days.

[@sotney]

I think the best part of the app is that the coaches always remind that you are a runner. If you're running, you're a runner. 😊

[@JustinaErcole]

Agreed!

[@sydneyyoung3]

I’m also newer to running and I love to pick a point ahead of me on my path, like a light post or car, and then say “I can run to that” then to the next thing and the next thing, makes the runs go by and helps me have more little wins along the way

[@JustinaErcole]

Love that!

[@shelbyfawn1337]

it’s been fun watching this journey for you on IG because I was doing a 5k training program at the same time. I’m definitely not in your shape and had never been able to run a full 5k but I finished mine in early November in 36 minutes! the mental part is so much bigger than I expected and I feel so affirmed hearing you echo that and also push through it. great job!

[@JustinaErcole]

Congrats Shelby!

[@annescholten9313]

Congatulations on becoming Ms. RUNNER! I do hope you will completely enjoy the 5K in Central Park. Sounds like a fun experience to me.♡

[@JustinaErcole]

Thanks Anne!

[@roxiw66]

Very proud of you‼️What a neat cause for the turkey trot as well. 🧡

[@laurahelland2752]

I absolutely love running!!! My favorite distance is the half marathon. I recently stated doing guided training plans to help break things up. I loved this video! I would say as a one who has done a ton of races, my stomach is always ‘nervous’ until I get going! Best of luck!

[@JustinaErcole]

Haha I figured that was a normal thing :)

[@katjakaflingwichmann5118]

Well done Justina for giving it your best. I said goodbye to running four years ago and haven’t looked back. I tried everything to find joy in running and it never happened for me. I work out 5 times a week and love it. Ps. I have those beat ear thingies too. They are so great for working out 😃

[@JustinaErcole]

It’s definitely not for everyone! And after this next 5k I probably won’t run again until I train for the next trot haha

[@KW-up2ox]

I’m doing the Nike Run Club 5k training too! I’m only 8 runs in so it feels like I’m getting a preview of coming weeks! I’m still super new to running (like 2 months in). Right now I’m just focused on going slow to build up my endurance but I’m hoping to work on speed more after my first 5k in January. Thanks for the video! Super informative as far as the NRC app, cross training, your playlist requirements, and the mental challenges of running.

[@JustinaErcole]

Slow and steady is key! You got this :)

[@fififoofoo]

I truly love your videos where you go through a process in real time. I did a 5k Turkey trot and struggled to walk through it. This is inspiring me to train to run it next time. 😬

[@JustinaErcole]

I can't recommend the NRC 5K Training plan enough!

[@melaniemason9515]

Aaah man I needed this so much! I’m doing Couch to 5k at the moment and it really is those times when it’s mentally challenging. I was running the other day and was thinking “I can’t do this” but when I did a body check nothing was wrong with me- just entirely psychological. Thank you for documenting both your struggles and your wins ❤

[@JustinaErcole]

You got this Melanie!

[@christievozniak9717]

Yay! Congratulations! If after the 5K in Central Park you want to continue your running journey , I highly recommend the Midnight Run on New Years Eve. Also in Central Park, it’s a 5K that begins right as the fireworks are going off and a great way to ring in the New Year (far cheaper than going to bar and depending on how long you stay after the run, you can usually beat the crazy tourist crowds) They also have photo walls, sparkling cider and snacks after the run. It was my first event that got me into running and just finished my second NYC Marathon this year. Also good for you for approaching the race and preparing smartly. As a dancer I love running because it invites me to find autonomy in my race and NOT compete or compare with anyone no matter how fast everyone is running. It’s truly about your preparation, your strategy (I live studying the courses, visualizing the hills and elevation as I train to keep a calm mind while the body does it’s thing) and running “your race, your pace”. As a fitness professional you already have so much inherent skill in you! Welcome to the running community! ❤ I need to take notes on your approach for playlists :)

[@JustinaErcole]

Thanks for all the tips Christie!

[@brightknight1965]

The thing you talked about where you break down the run into smaller time chunks is such a rubber thing! When I was training for a full I had so many times when I would think things like, well it’s just a 5k to my next water stop and then a 5k back home or, oh this bridge is halfway so I’m basically past the hard part 😅 you do what you have to do to get the miles in

[@JustinaErcole]

I'm glad I'm not alone in that strategy!

[@jennyrintakoski4914]

Fartlek is swedish for Speed Play. Basically just playing around with different speeds :D

[@JustinaErcole]

Thank you!

[@Fiona-cd1vi]

Congratulations! I also totally understand the feeling of going as fast as possible at the start due to adrenaline. I used to hate running and it wasn’t until I started training properly instead of just running as fast as I could for as long as a could did I learn to love it and be consistent.

[@JustinaErcole]

Hoping I can control my adrenaline on the next one!

[@hamsteroncoffee]

Congrats, Justina! I think you did amazing 🥰! Have fun in the Central Park 5k run 🏃‍♀️! I absolutely love this: get comfortable doing uncomfortable things ❤️. I used to hate lunges, but I started including them in my workouts more and more and I feel they are starting to grow on me ☺️

[@JustinaErcole]

Love that!

[@IRunThings]

As a runner myself, I loved watching this video. You did great my friend!! Congratulations

[@JustinaErcole]

Thank you!

[@angel1573]

Wooo congratulations!! I love that running playlist omg so many good songs. Also supportive Zoe during stretching is precious. 😍 What a super relateable and excellent montage of your experience!

[@JustinaErcole]

Thank you!!

[@rachelsalgado687]

This was so inspiring! I *hate* running, but I also always kind of want to be "good" at it. So I appreciate your approach to your goals in this, and how you made progress through your program.

[@JustinaErcole]

So glad you enjoyed Rachel!

[@lenacochrane4892]

You laughing at “Fartlek” was the best. I’m glad I’m not the only one to find that word so funny.

[@JustinaErcole]

Hahahahahha I’m a child

[@lenacochrane4892]

It’s ok. There are way to many serious fitness influencers out there. This is why I like you.

[@roxiw66]

Cracked me up. 😂

[@nicoler4583]

Congratulations!!!

[@JustinaErcole]

Thanks Nicole!

[@Mary-em3cb]

Congratulations Justina! Kudos for your accomplishment and tenacity. Keep going! 🏃‍♀️🏆🎉

[@JustinaErcole]

Thank you!

[@amanka0]

This inspired me to get back into running. I stopped doing a run/walk program when I got my Peloton (which I'm addicted to). But I do love running when I get into it, and Pelolton actually has a treadmill program for people who want to get back into running.

[@JustinaErcole]

So glad to be a source of inspiration!

[@ellielooking7139]

Congratulations! This was fun to watch :) A few years ago, I went from running 5km in 35min to 25min within the space of about a year. Since then, I think I've only improved a minute or so on my 5km, though I don't train for them anymore. I used to live where Parkruns were abound - google it if you like to run 5km! They are free and on Saturdays in many places all around the world, just not where I live now! I'm fairly sure they'd be one in NY. What I love about running is being about to see how I'm progressing; running is hard, but it's inspiring to improve my times. I find my running easier to track than weights, since I don't have regular access to them. It never gets easier - you only get faster! Sometimes running is love/hate for me, but I love the feeling of pushing myself for the physical and mental benefits.

[@JustinaErcole]

Thank you so much!

[@alexiamcbride7441]

I love that you used NRC! Commenting at 18 minutes in, in case you end up answering this in the video.. I’ve been using NRC for three years and I recently just tried using it with the treadmill, I had the same experience and just looked it up and i’d you go to settings you can enable indoor running only, and if you use an apple watch you can set the run settings to indoor from your watch and the start the run from your phone. & there is a setting where you can disable the app from auto pausing. Hope that helps anybody! I’ve had these same experiences with the app. I LOVE NRC and the guided runs. Training for a half marathon currently and I think you just convinced me to trust the apps plan.

[@JustinaErcole]

Good to know! I changed it to indoor but it still wouldn't say I was moving anywhere. And since I was supposed to be running a 5K and not for time, I couldn't get around it :(

[@tayress1]

WOOHOOOO! Go Justina!!! Check out those negative splits during your 4mile long run!!! 👏🏻🎉💛

[@JustinaErcole]

Hahaha that was totally by accident :)

[@izalikah7616]

I felt very much at home with your playlist ❤❤ special shoutout to Supernova Girl! It's how I know you're my people (even if you're on the wrong boy band team 😉) and I continue to enjoy following you. Have a great weekend, Justina! ❤

[@JustinaErcole]

Haha it’s a good one!

[@cjsfunbun]

Loved the Playlist you showed! Congrats on your run! Great video !

[@JustinaErcole]

Thank you!

[@amberc9053]

I started using the Nike Run app about once a week. I hate running as well, but I've come to really enjoy the interval runs offered in the app. And I also like that I can easily do them on the treadmill since running outside isn't always an option.

[@JustinaErcole]

Yesss the intervals are great!

[@roxiw66]

Yay Zoey 😻 very proud of you ‼️and what a neat cause for a turkey trot 🧡

[@JustinaErcole]

Thanks Roxi ❤️

[@harvestcheddar0]

Congrats! 🎉 it’s inspiring to see you keep going despite not liking running from the start. I’ll have to try some of your tips because I hate running lol.

[@JustinaErcole]

It's still love/hate lol

[@Ckates]

Congrats!! 🎉 And welcome to the running club 😉👏🏽 If you ever wanted to do a group run in nyc I would be there in a heartbeat! I ran the nyc marathon last month and the training was pretty tough. I love half marathons but I always wanted to run the ny marathon. Mindset is one of the toughest parts of training. I found myself putting more effort into running places that I enjoyed and that made me happy, so I wasn’t focusing so much on the distance I had to run. I’d plan a route and tick off check points. Everyone is different but that has always worked for me 😄

[@JustinaErcole]

That's great advice, thank you!

[@butterflyfairy6730]

this was a really fun watch! i’ve been getting back into running but with school, i take massive breaks in between. i also tried the nike run club but i honestly don’t think i can listen to someone talking to me while i run lmaoo. i am definitely reconsidering using it again though!

[@JustinaErcole]

You can also select unguided runs! But honestly I don't think I could do one of those haha

[@alexiamcbride7441]

I had to go check out your Spotify playlist and I can’t wait to listen to it while I run! 😂 Bless Spotify and the cover art they chose!

[@JustinaErcole]

Enjoy!

[@charnelleharrison]

Way to go! Good for you!

[@JustinaErcole]

Thank you!

[@alexiamcbride7441]

Great run! & Great training! Enjoy your next 5K!

[@JustinaErcole]

Thank you!

[@anng2004]

My running store has a coffee mug that says 'I fartlek when I run'. 😆 Nice work!!!

[@JustinaErcole]

Hahahah amazing

[@JackieOstick]

This is amazing. Good for you!!!

[@JustinaErcole]

Thanks Jackie!

[@awakenyourlifeyoga7929]

Call me a sucker but I definitely teared up at the end of this when you called yourself a runner. 🙈 I’m so inspired to try running again! As an aside, do you have a video on fitness/health when you’re sick?

[@JustinaErcole]

Aww thank you!! And I don’t, but I’m talking a bit about ways to help support your immune system in an upcoming nutrition Q&A. I think it goes up on Sunday :)

[@awakenyourlifeyoga7929]

@@JustinaErcole Can’t wait!

[@erikamt4633]

Absolutely loved this video!

[@JustinaErcole]

Thanks Erika!

[@ittibitti29]

Great video, so relatable! Sorry to walk right in front of your video!! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

[@JustinaErcole]

Hahahahah

[@elainekommenge1157]

Love this journey. I'm fit but get a lot of pain when running (herniated disc) even if I think about engaging my abs and core and moving laterally rather than hopping vertically. I used to run in my 20s but have never been fast or competitive- more like a solo activity for me. I miss being able to run because you can do it anywhere and you don't need anything but shoes! But the mental aspect of running is tough!!

[@JustinaErcole]

Thank you for watching!

[@figureskater71889]

Great 5k! I'm starting to get back into mine post injury and stuff. Personally my favourite running music has been a bunch of motown. Give me some Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye and I'm a happy runner!

[@JustinaErcole]

Haha love that!

[@beccalynn767]

Omg your playlist 😂❤

[@JustinaErcole]

It’s a skill I’m very proud of haha

[@Bronwen.Forbes.Kotze1983]

I also don't like running likely my doctor says no running because of my knee but I absolutely love walking. I will walk the whole day if I couldn't 😊Thanks again for the great video.

[@JustinaErcole]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Laf631]

Excellent point on the running with no training! I did my first 5K when I was really into spinning, and even doing cardio 4x a week, spinning does NOT work muscles the same way as running. After one mile, I was like "whew, I'd like to be done now." I did eventually get into running more through the Zombies, Run! app which made it more fun because it was like listening to a story, but it took a while to get to the point of understanding why other people enjoyed running.

[@LuckyFarscape]

Great video. Mindset has such a tremendous impact. I use an app called “Seconds Pro” which lets me manually create my own guided workouts. It won’t pause even if I take a phone call during a run.

[@JustinaErcole]

Thanks for the tip!

[@PlanwithLaken]

That running playlist.

[@JustinaErcole]

I tried :)

[@Ginatangari]

Hi Justina!! Were you still working out while training for the 5k?

[@JustinaErcole]

Yep! But my priority was my run program, so I typically fit in 2 strength sessions per week around it.

[@brightknight1965]

My strategy for 5k runs when I was running a lot- pick a pace fast enough to make you feel like you’re going to puke, and then back off jusssst enough so you don’t throw up

[@JustinaErcole]

Hahahha I love this

[@spumoni9713]

With that app do you have to be connected to a device? Basically I want to run with my phone in ear shot but not be holding the phone. It looks like it is tracking your movement so didn’t know if it would work for me. I don’t have an Apple Watch. I’ve been doing couch to 10k and I’ve enjoyed it. However, I’ve been doing it lately on the treadmill because it’s been cold out …and its easier to run on soooo when I get to the streets it’s a lot harder. I have done a few 5ks but only two since I’ve been training. I beat my time by a whole minute each time 😂

[@JustinaErcole]

You just need your phone since the app is on there :)

[@jlh5310]

I wish sooooo badly that I could love running. I wishhhh I could go out for a quick half hour run every morning like those perfect skinny neighborhood moms. But my knee is a train wreck and even worse, the second I start running, I get instant anxiety. My brain is like “yep. You’re definitely going to die. You will have a heart attack while running and nobody will find you dead on the sidewalk until you’re half eaten by crows and stray cats.”

[@JustinaErcole]

Running isn’t necessarily for everyone! But also remember that it’s not reserved for “perfect skinny moms” 😉

[@JustSheilz]

Ive been wanting to ru a 5K the last couple years but I just cant find a program for a treadmill since weather really affects my ability to move.

[@JustinaErcole]

You could probably just sub out the distance runs for timed runs!

[@anng2004]

You can use any program on the treadmill. I've done spring marathons with minimal outdoor training. Not ideal, but weather.....

[@michellesmirnova4471]

I’m late to this video but a “fartlek” is a Swedish word which means “speed play” (I know, unfortunate word for speed 😂) and it’s a form of interval training for runners

[@JustinaErcole]

Hahahaha it’s my favorite word now

[@singlucylu]

Welcome to runner club! Training for races is my favorite part and not just because you get to say fartlek a lot 😂 Before you know it you are running half marathons for fun and giggles on the weekend with run friends.

[@JustinaErcole]

Thank you!

[@JenVarelaR]

She’s a runner! She also left a runners workout that destroyed my legs in ONE day 😂 Congratulations!!!!

[@JustinaErcole]

hahaha a whole program is coming in 2023!

[@JenVarelaR]

@@JustinaErcole *dies*

[@nessiemupfeki]

35 min for 5k wow!! Very impressive

[@JustinaErcole]

thank you :)

[@SheDreamsofFlowers]

I stopped using the Nike run app because it was too glitchy.

[@JustinaErcole]

I'm sorry to hear that! I never had any glitch problems.

[@emmapersson3131]

Fartlek is swedish and means "speed game" 😉

[@JustinaErcole]

Hahaha i figured that out eventually

[@tabithamayer2442]

I HATE running! I wanna love it. I hate cardio so much!

[@JustinaErcole]

It might not be an option for you, and that’s ok! There’s plenty of other options to get in cardio :)