10 GREAT tips to start running are what I have learned over these last 10 years.
I cannot believe that I have been running for 10 years already.
Learn them quickly and enjoy the journey. Celebrate the opportunity and the achievements no matter if you have been running for one week or ten years.
1. START RUNNING SLOWLY
It is super important to know where you are at in this journey. It is not great to start out, feel discouraged and never head out again.
My time may seem very slow to some and for others, it may look like an impossible pace to get to.
Remember you are doing it for yourself and for your health. You can only run your own race, you cannot run anyone else’s race for them.
Build your speed and endurance over time.
I started by walking and then running. The walking times and distances were reduced and the running sections increased.
2. JUST DO IT
You do not need special equipment to realize these10 GREAT TIPS TO START RUNNING.
A pair of trainers is all you need. In the beginning, if you are mostly walking, the quality of your trainers is not the most important factor.
Put on what you have and go.
JUST DO IT and DO IT again and again.
By JUST DOING IT again and again you will develop a habit and a passion for running.
3. KEEP GOING
I promise you that there will be days that you do not feel like going for a run.
Many of them.
And very often.
We are all inherently looking for a quick and easy fix to our fitness challenges.
Pushing through cramping legs may also be something you have to face. As you progress you will learn about your body, what it is capable of doing and how to keep going.
I have faced sickness and injury many times over and I have given myself time to heal. Once I have healed then I either had to start from the beginning again or picked up from where I left off.
4. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START
I started running in my late 40ies and it has been difficult to build the habit. If you are younger, start now – your older self will thank you.
The older you are, the more careful you will need to be. It has taken me a very long time to increase my speed because of injury. I have tried to increase my speed too quickly a couple of times and have always injured myself. Take note of every new tip that you learn.
I have a good base now so increasing my speed, by no more than 10% every week is proving to be a success.
5. CHEAP AND SIMPLE
There are so many ways to get fit but I love to run and that is why I love these 10 tips. It is one of the cheapest forms of exercise. It is so simple to do and can be done in most places.
All it costs is a good pair of running shoes that last, on average, 2 years – I think that is a deal! And then remember to give them a name;)
Most of us have some kind of comfortable sportswear in our cupboards, and that is all you need in the beginning.
I did buy some running gear early on, and they last forever! I am still using the same stuff 10 years later. Sometimes I wish they would wear out sooner so that I have an excuse to buy something new.
6. ENJOY YOUR SURROUNDINGS
I have never enjoyed my surroundings as much as I do now because I am running through the streets. The farmers that go out to plant and harvest have been fascinating to watch. They watch the weather as much as I do, probably more.
There are dog walkers everywhere and some people walk with their dogs, and some of them cycle with their dogs.
When we traveled in Italy we got to enjoy the busy streets when they were quieter. In the morning we would get up early to go for a run. It was great to see the vendors putting out their tables and to see the bakeries hard at work.
We loved that.
Discovering your surroundings in a new way and at a new time is a great way to enjoy your space.
Learning to run and the start of running has paid off over and over again. Give it a try.
7. KEEP RECORDS
This can be done in any format that suits you but it is worth the effort.
I have a Garmin watch and it uploads, records and stores all the activities that I track.
Sometimes you feel very discouraged in your journey and this is a good way to see what you have achieved. Every journey starts somewhere. My initial walk/runs just seem a thing of the past but back then, I never imagined that I would be able to run 5km.
It does not matter where you start from but it is great to see progress.
I’ve also learned a thing or two about myself and I use these measurements to try to push myself too. Sometimes I do need a wake-up call.
8. ENJOY THE JOURNEY
There will be days where you feel totally discouraged and demotivated – true story.
I’ve had to remind myself at times, to enjoy the run and not to measure anything! This is hard to do the more you go running because you really want to track everything! Weird, but true.
When I do not measure my run, I lift up my head and look around. It is quite fantastic and it reminds me why I love to run.
9. RUN EVERYWHERE
I love running at home.
When I have run on holiday it is quite different to run when I travel for work.
The holiday runs tend to be done every day because on holiday there is time, space, and capacity to do that.
When I am in another country then I am usually trying to maintain whatever schedule I am following.
Both are great to do because discovering a new place on foot is fantastic. It is adventurous too. Be careful and always let someone know where you are planning on going. It would be better to run with someone and ALWAYS carry your phone with you.
10. FIND A FRIEND/S
I really do love running alone but running with a friend or group of people is a great way to improve. The situation where I live is not conducive to finding a club so that is why I run alone. I’d love to be part of a club for one session a week so that I could improve.
My daughter often visits and then we go for a run together and we love that.
My husband is a walker but he always supports me when I run. Sometimes your family and friends will not do it with you but for the most part, they will be there to encourage you.
So, you can start today.
It has been the most amazing journey over the last 10 years, can’t imagine what it will be like 10 years from now?! I really do hope that I’ll still be at it then.
See you there.