This post may seem slightly premature, after all it isn’t even December yet, but as New Year is well and truly on the way, I thought it could be a good idea to share one of my goals for 2018 with you – to start running. A lot of my friends run, and they all seem to love it, plus they have lost a load of weight and toned up a lot since starting out, which makes me wonder if running could be a good exercise option for me.
I know that it won’t be easy, which is why I’ve been doing some research into the best steps to take when starting out as a runner. In case you fancy giving running a go in the new year, or before the new year, for that matter, below are some tips and pieces of advice I’ve received from my running friends about the best ways to get started.
Tip #1. Buy the right gear
First things first, it is vital that you invest in all of the right gear. The fact is that if you try and run in clothing that isn’t made for running, it will impact your results as well as how much you enjoy the activity. I already have two pairs of Adidas sports leggings that I use for pilates, so I plan on using those for my training. If I didn’t have any sports leggings though, I would be buying some. I plan on buying some specialist running trainers and a pair of Drymax socks – these stop your feet from getting wet and prevent blisters from occurring. I will also be getting a running sleeve for my smartphone and a pair of bluetooth headphones.
Tip #2. Start slow
One of the biggest mistakes that a lot of new runners make is going too hard when first starting out. The fact is that when it comes to running, it’s best to start slow and build up your stamina and strength over time. For this, interval training can be highly effective, as it allows you to work your body to the max without putting too much strain on yourself. There are some incredible apps for this, it’s just a case of searching the app store and downloading them. One of my personal favourites is Simple Interval Timer as it’s easy to use and like the name suggests, is incredibly simple.
Tip #3. Give yourself something to aim for
A great piece of advice to take note of is to give yourself something to aim for. By giving yourself a target, such as by signing up for a fun run or sponsored race, you can motivate yourself to keep at it and push yourself as hard as possible. If your aim is to run a larger event, like a half marathon, make sure to schedule smaller events to compete in first, so that you can slowly build yourself up to it.
There you have it, a few handy tips to take note of if you are starting out as a new runner.
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