Got Into Running In Quarantine? Here’s How To Tell If Your Habits Will Stick

Whether it's Strava, the Nike Run Club app, or another option entirely, quarantine has made you slip into the Apple or GooglePlay Store to search for free running apps. You might have tried a few before landing on your fave, or maybe you picked one and immediately discovered your new best friend and virtual running buddy.

You've been going out for more than just your casual jog, so you need more than just casual running form. You've realized that heel-striking often hurts, and you've also realized that holding too much tension in your shoulders makes your run less than great. To train yourself to run with good form, you've been doing everything from reading running articles to listening to running podcasts and... holy crap, you might be a runner.

You've noticed that your energy starts to lag around the one mile mark, and you run faster when you have amped up music. Not that speed is everything, of course — always focus on your form first. But still, that extra boost from pump-up tunes is undeniable, and also a lot of fun.

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) will probably kick in a day or two after your first run. It likely won't feel like you've injured yourself (if it does, take it easy and consider checking in with a doc), but your calves will be varying degrees of sore for a minute. It is actually very good to walk and go jogging with mild cases of DOMS, because it'll help increase blood flow and get you running without pain sooner.

You might marvel at yourself when your runs get longer and faster, but you don't get much sorer. As your body adapts to the rigors of running, it'll take a lot more to get you sore, so don't worry — #runninglife shouldn't mean you're in pain all the time.

... and you realize that if your gym teacher had actually taught you proper running form instead of telling you to suck it up, you could have avoided a lot of pain. Sure, even runners with perfect form get that sharp shin split pain between their ankles and knees. But what your gym teacher never told you was that running with good form can help prevent that. Listen to your body, resting and icing when you need to, and know that as you refine your form, shin splints likely won't remain a constant companion.

You live on the fourth floor of your apartment complex and even bringing up a light round of groceries has always been hellish. And while you still don't love your stairs, you've been noticing that you actually can defeat a few flights without being completely winded now.

Sure, it's summer, but you still need outfits for all the different microclimates. Morning runs? Prep for humidity. Mid-afternoon jog? Be prepared to roast. Evening 5k? It's gonna get chilly. Choose your fighter and enjoy.

Some people nod solemnly. Others raise their hand in a small wave. Still more folks smile and give a breathless "hey," while others offer a two-fingered salute. Whatever your style, you've learned that it's polite to greet other runners — from at least six feet away, of course.

Speaking of physical distancing, quarantine running etiquette has become second nature to you (the pandemic cousin of the timeless runner's salute). See a fellow sweat-monger running uphill toward you, on your side of the street? Check for cars, make sure the ground is even so you don't twist an ankle, and switch to the other side of the road for them. It's the new love language of athletes, and you're now fluent.

You always knew that house had a trans flag in its window, but you didn't know they also have a pet pig. Now you do! Running through your neighborhood has introduced you to at least three new coffee shops that you never knew existed, not to mention all the Black Lives Matter signs in people's yards and windows. You've been noticing all that since you've started running, so you now know where to stroll when you need some neighborly validation and happiness.

Running never used to be on your to-do list, but now your body is extra antsy when you go a couple days without getting your jog on. You're both lethargic and all revved up with no place to go, which is a terrible combination until you realize that you do have somewhere to go — running.

Whether you're training to be Doctor Who's companion or are an aspiring Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., running has started making you feel like an IRL superhero. You can now thwip through the city like Miles Morales or single-handedly destroy Thanos' ships like Carol Danvers, all because quarantine has transformed you into a runner.