Five Tips to Become a Runner
Have you always fancied giving running a go but have been too nervous/ sluggish/ unmotivated to start? Are you one of those people who say “I can’t run to the end of my street, never mind 5k?” Are you looking for a new challenge?
It’s the perfect time to pop on those running shoes and get yourself out there. It’s free, it does wonders for your mental health and it gets your heart rate going. Not sure where to start? Here are the first five things you need to know before lacing up!
Little By Little
This is a tip especially if you are trying to up your distance or you are working towards a running event. Every little help! Set yourself small distances and increase them every time you go out for a run. This gives your body a chance to get used to a new form of exercise and making small chunks of progress will help motivate you to continue, making you feel good about your running journey.
Don’t Compare
It may seem like everyone you know who runs is practically Mo Farah; it’s not the case! Analysing your friend’s Strava is not going to make you run faster. It is going to make you feel rubbish about yourself if you’re not running at the same speed or distance. Everyone’s fitness is different. It doesn't make you less of a runner if you’re not as quick as everyone else.
Don’t focus on pace too! If it takes you 30 minutes to run to the end of the street and back, you still went for a run. If you alternate between running and walking, you still went for a run. If you sit down for a break halfway through, you still went for a run. Be kind to yourself; it’s not about how fast you go, it’s about getting those shoes on and getting out there.
Invest In Your Shoes
Running shoes are pretty expensive. So once you’ve gone on a few runs and you know you are going to make it a regular thing, head to your nearest running specialist. Make sure you ask for advice on which shoe is best for you and get them properly fitted. Your bank account may have a little cry for the day, but your feet and knees will appreciate the investment.
Find A Friend
It can be hard to motivate yourself to get your running shoes on. Find someone who can become your running buddy. You are more likely to stick to a scheduled run if you have promised someone you’ll be there. Either rope in a friend or join a local running group; it is so much easier to run when you have someone to focus on instead of the distance or speed your doing.
Stretch It Out
If you are new to running and after venturing out you can’t walk up the stairs the next day, you are more likely to hang your running trainers up for good. Even though it can add half an hour to your exercise regime, stretching is super important for runners. It prevents injury, keeps you limber and prepares your muscles before getting out there.
You wouldn’t lift a weight or do a dance class without a warm-up, and running is no different. Stretching for ten minutes before and cooling down after will make you a better runner. You can find so many examples of exercises you should be doing to target the right muscles on Youtube, so there’s no excuse to not stretch it out.
It is incredible what your body can do if you put your mind to it. So whether you plan just to go for a gentle weekly jog as a self-care little win or you sign up to a new running challenge, get those trainers out and pound the pavements. You might even enjoy it!
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Written by Elle Douglass
