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Tips and Tricks For Beginning Runners

I am no athlete. Never was, never will be. But after losing 7 or 8 pounds recently, I really want to keep it off and get fit. My eating habits have definitely improved and I’m liking my new middle. Heck, I know I still have  my pooch belly, but I feel better and I like that my clothes fit better. I also like the fact that some are now too big! It feels good to accomplish something!

I tried running in 2011 and completed my first 5K after having Owen a few years ago, but I never kept up with it. I know it’s harder to run on a treadmill and I know I hate the cold weather. So now that spring is officially here in New England, I’m grabbing the bull by the horns and trying to run more often. Dare I say it, running has kind of become enjoyable! Who am I? I love that I can say that!

5K training tips

Here are some tips that have helped me to enjoy learning how to run and I hope you find them helpful too:

  • Listen to music while you run. Can’t even believe what a difference this has made.
  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day. I’ve completely cut out Diet Coke and drink water all day long now. I feel so much better.
  • Invest in a good pair of running shoes. Having the right support and the right fit for your foot and your running style is absolutely necessary. Go to a specialty store and have them analyze your running style, your foot, your needs. You’ll most likely want  a size that is a half size bigger than your average dress shoe size.
  • Try the Strava app. Wow. I hadn’t used any decent apps to keep track of my pace or distance before and I am now obsessed with Strava. I love the audio updates that cut into my music to tell me my spit times, my pace and my distance. I love the stats I can look at when I get home. I love , love, love Strava. You should download it right now. It’s FREE!
  • Walk when you need to. I was against walking for a long time. I didn’t want to have to do any walking during any of my 5Ks. But after my last run this past weekend, I walked for about 45 seconds when I needed a break. After taking those walking breaks, I could easily return to my running and felt better and more motivated to keep pushing and going. I ran 4.5 miles that day – my longest run EVER!
  • Wear clothes that feel good when you run. Invest in some running pants or shorts that don’t chafe or hurt you. There’s nothing worse. I only really have one pair of Nike pants that I LOVE and I definitely need some new tanks for the warmer weather.
  • Have a place to keep your music while  you’re running  (I don’t have this yet). What should I get?
  • Sign up for a 5K. If you sign up, your invested and committed. There’s no turning back. You’re running a 5K, so you have to get out there and run before the big day.

See you on the road. If you keep up with it on a weekly basis (maybe even 2 or 3 times per week) it will get easier, I promise!

Launch by Brooks

Brooks Running Sneakers Size 9 LAUNCH

Got any good tips for those of us who are learning how to run? I’m hoping to run 5 miles next weekend. I really hope I can do it. 

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Comments

  2. 3

    Good for you! Even in my best shape I could barely do 2 miles. Running isn’t my thing unless there’s a ball in front of me, but you have some great tips. Perhaps I should try running again this summer. 😀

    Reply
  3. 4

    Running is pretty simple really. Some people try and overcomplicate it with tips and trick and dos and don’ts. But everybody is different and what works for one person might not suit everyone.

    Having said that, here are a few idea that work for me…

    1. Run different routes in training. Mix it up. Have variety. You don’t always have to run from your own front door. Drive a few miles if there is somewhere else more interesting to run.

    2. Don’t always run on the road. Run some trails. Take to the woods. Find a good park. Personally I enjoy getting away from roads and cars and traffic whenever I can.

    3. Run near water. A path along a stream. Around a lake. On the beach. I don’t know why, but I always find it much more enjoyable to run near water.

    4. Run when you are traveling way from home. I always used to enjoy running when I was away in business. I have run in Brazil and Australia and Japan and France and Germany and Spain and China. In San Francisco and Houston and Washington and Puerto Rico and Long Beach and all sorts of other places. You travel. Run when you go on your next blogging conference or family vacation.

    5. Run at different times of the day. When I was working I often used to run before breakfast. You will be amazed what the flow of endorphins will do for your energy in the morning.

    I suppose all of the above can be summed up as, “Mix it up. Don’t get into a rut.”

    Have fun!

    Reply
  5. 6

    I am no athlete and have always felt like running is something I cannot do. Your post really helps me to see that it is possible.

    Reply
  7. 8

    I have just started to add running to my walking, and I do want to run a full 5k. My ankles are a little weak, and I’m having some issue with pacing. I am really glad I ran across your post because I was just thinking about how much I needed to read some stuff for beginning runners.
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    Reply
  15. 16

    Great tips. I have major issues as I lost my arches with my last pregnancy so a great pair of shoes is a must. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  24. 25

    You are so right! Shoes always make a huge difference in your running. I remember having a bad back once and my doctor asked about my shoes. Apparently the way you heels and feet hit the ground affect your entire body.

    Reply

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