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why I’m running 5k’s and reading 50 books this year
oh, and actively learning 4 languages in 2025!
PRELUDE
Running 5Ks and reading 50 books might not seem like they belong in the same conversation. One leaves you breathless and sweating, while the other invites stillness and reflection. Yet, for me, they’re connected by the same quiet philosophy: small steps that build towards something meaningful.
TABLE CHAT
I’ve always been drawn to things that unfold slowly, that require patience and persistence. I hate rushing. I’ve always said I want to have a long career as an artist until I’m 60, not burn out as an internet celebrity when I’m in my 20s. A 5K isn’t a marathon, but it’s still a challenge. It asks you to commit to a running schedule, to build strength and endurance in small increments. Reading 50 books feels the same. It’s not about speed or numbers; it’s about incorporating the habit into my life and letting the pages slowly accumulate naturally over time.
Both goals remind me that transformation doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a process of showing up — lacing up your shoes or picking up a book — even on the days when you don’t feel like it.
Running keeps me grounded. It’s a way to reconnect with my body, to listen to its rhythm and respect its limits (I always have a tendency to push myself a little bit too far and provoke an unnecessary injury). There’s something so meditative about the sound of my feet hitting the pavement, the steady inhale and exhale of my breath. Reading, on the other hand, expands my world – it reminds me that there’s more existence in my life than the busy chaos of my brain and my immediate surroundings.
Both practices teach me presence and being grounded. Whether I’m logging runs on Strava or losing myself in a story, I’m reminded to focus on what’s right in front of me right now.
“Sometimes taking time is actually a shortcut.”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
These aren’t just goals; they’re anchors. They create structure in my days and give me something to strive for. And it’s not about perfection. Some runs feel harder than others; some books take longer to finish. What matters is the commitment to keep going, to trust that small efforts add up over time.
I’ve learned to celebrate the little victories — a faster pace, a finished chapter — because they’re the building blocks of bigger milestones. And honestly, there’s joy in the process itself, in the act of becoming.
Maybe running or reading isn’t your thing. That’s okay. But I think we all have something we want to grow toward, something that starts small but holds the potential for something bigger. Maybe it’s learning to cook, practicing a new language (I’m actively trying to learn 4 this year!), or carving out time for mindfulness. Whatever it is, start where you are. Trust the process. Let it build. Do a little bit everyday.
For me, running 5Ks and reading 50 books aren’t just about hitting a target. They’re a way of showing up for myself, of proving that the little steps matter. Because in the end, that’s how big things happen — one page, one step at a time.
What’s your version of a 5K this year?
Skylar xx