How a Runner Is Born: From the Computer Chair to the First Steps

My name is Aljoša Jureš — Aljoš, Aljo, Jurko… I answer to anything 🙂. I come from Logatec, Slovenia, where I’ve lived for, wow, already 40 years. Just a simple guy, a techie at heart and an engineer by education.

I started running in my 30s when it finally hit me that sitting in front of a computer all day wasn’t going to end well. My early runs were totally impulsive — or, to put it honestly, completely undisciplined. Two or three times a week, then a long break, then “yeah, let’s go again”, then “nah, not today”… In my defence, back then we had two little kids who understandably took up all my time — kids always come first. As they grew up, my running slowly became more structured until I settled into a real routine: 5 runs a week, 2 rest days. Still, the runs were short — about 5 km. My only goal back then was to get those 25 minutes in, mainly for health reasons.

When You Meet Someone Who Believes in You — and Life Turns Upwards

At some point I met a person who gave me deeper insight into running and, most importantly, made me believe I could do more. From that moment on, I started doing 10 km on Sundays and 5 km during the week — still cautiously and slowly. But the fire was lit and I had real support. Having a running buddy (male or female) is an absolute blessing. And just like that, the snowball started rolling downhill. My first Ljubljana Half Marathon, my first 30 km trail race in the Vipava Valley — those two events showed me loud and clear: I can do this.

Running completely changed my life for the better. Through all the events I’ve met tons of amazing people and learned so much from them. My health improved dramatically — climbing stairs is no longer a struggle 🙂, I’m fitter than most of my peers, and yes, it’s definitely nicer to look in the mirror these days 🙂. Sharing my successes and admiring people who achieve way bigger things than me — that’s also on my motivation list.

My main goal right now is simple: keep the rhythm I have. Stay in shape, run the village paths and sidewalks every week, throw in one race a month, and above all — enjoy it. I’m not chasing podiums. I’m still enough of a hedonist to treat myself to the occasional indulgence. Podiums would require serious grinding, and I’m perfectly happy as long as I can hit 150 km a month 🙂.

The Power of Routine, Love for the Trails, and the Philosophy That Keeps You Going

I have only one rule for my training: the session has to be done. No matter the weather, no matter how I feel, no matter what’s happening in politics 🙂. I always say: “The main thing is that you went out — it doesn’t matter how far or how fast.” I run Tuesday to Friday, rest on Saturday, and do my long run on Sunday. I choose the route based on whatever inspires me that day. During the week it’s usually 5–10 km at around 5:00 min/km pace, sometimes more, sometimes faster or slower — whatever my body feels like. On Sundays I head out early and give myself 2–3 hours for a nice, slow trail adventure in the neighbouring village 🙂. My favourite loop is Planina above Vrhnika — from Logatec along the old tank road to Vrhnika, up to Planina, then via Zaplana back home to Logatec.

If you’re thinking about starting to run — just do it, no fear. It’s not some scary monster, nobody’s chasing you 🙂. The only thing you really need is a decent pair of shoes — that’s it. Take that first step over the threshold and you’re in the game. Run at your own pace, in your own comfort zone. It’s perfectly fine to walk parts of the route. Like I said earlier: “The main thing is that you went out — it doesn’t matter how far or how fast.” Running is medicine for everything. Seriously.

My life motto might not have anything to do with running, but since you’re asking: “Be good to others and good will come back to you.”