• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
a million graces
  • About
  • training
    • swimming
    • cycling
    • running
    • walking
    • triathlons
  • tears and triumphs
    • injuries
    • sickness
    • motivation
  • tackle, togs & gear
    • for swimming
    • for cycling
    • for running
    • for walking

10 great tips to start running

02/08/2022 by Bridget

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.

river scene with running times indicated

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.

running shoes and a runners cap

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.

Just go.

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.

runner with a racing bike

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.

lady running

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;)

running shoes

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.

lady running next to some water

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.

running records

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.

smiling lady after a run

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.

map of a run on some farm lands

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.

three people

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.

PIN IT FOR LATER

10 great tips to start running

running path through some farm fields

Filed Under: motivation, running, training Tagged With: run, tips

Previous Post: « run 5km every day
Next Post: simple workout routine »

Primary Sidebar

Hi there!

me at amilliongraces

Hi, my name is Bridget and I love learning new things.  I’ve lived on three different continents and now currently live in Europe.  I ran my first triathlon in my 50s.  I was never able to find a blog by someone of my age who had done that, so I decided to write one!  If you want to get to know me more and to explore fitness, health and fun every week, click here.

Let’s connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • swimming vs running: which is better for your health or fitness? 18/10/2022
  • realistic fitness & body goals for women in 2022 13/09/2022
  • cycling vs running: which is better for your fitness or health? 06/09/2022
  • best alternative to running: beat injury & sickness safely 30/08/2022
  • how beginners can train for their first triathlon over 50 23/08/2022

Archives

Categories

Footer

BORING BUT IMPORTANT

  • About
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 a million graces on the Foodie Pro Theme

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
4 shares
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print