The first week of January and the number of runners I’m seeing on the streets is definitely higher than it was a week ago. That’s not just because the roads have shed the layer of ice that they had last week but that New Year’s resolutions to get fit have forced people outside. Seeing them has made me reflect back on when I started running three years ago and think about the things that I wish I’d known then. Here they are:
DON’T let people who don’t run fill your head with nonsense. From ‘It’ll damage your knees’, to ‘Running a marathon is dangerous’ and the downright insulting ‘It’ll make your boobs droop’, I’ve heard them all. Most people that give you reasons why you shouldn’t run are really telling you the excuses they give themselves for not running.
DO seek out the advice and support of other more exoerienced runners. If you don’t know any you’ll find them at your local running club or online (Fetch Everyone and Runners’ World are a good place to start). Most runners are more than happy to offer advice and tips to those just starting out.
DON’T run before you can walk. Build up the amount that you do gradually to avoid overdoing it and getting injured. I set off hell for leather running as much as I could on the treadmill and trying to better this every time only to give myself shinsplints. Find a beginners training plan and take it steady – you’ll reach your targets quicker in the long run if you avoid injury.
DO get some proper running shoes fitted for you at a specialist running shop. I ran for three months in trainers that were 10 years old and two sizes too small – I wouldn’t advice this. Having not been fitted for shoes since I was at primary school it was a bit odd having someone ask me to wiggle my toe so they could see how far it was from the end of the shoe, but that’s a small price to pay for shoes that won’t give you blisters, black toenails or a lopsided gait.
DON’T worry what other people think – get out there and run outside. I stayed in the emotional security of the gym for months before venturing outside then discovered two things – running outside is different to running on the treadmill, different as in better, and that nobody was looking at me or cared that I was running down the street in neon lycra.
DO stick with it, because you’re going to love it. It may take a while but taking up running will become the most rewarding thing you’ve done and fill you with a huge sense of achievement… so don’t give up. It will get better.
Janathon Day 3
Today for Janathon I ran 2 miles in 17.10… through a shower of sleet.
Brilliant advice and so true.
Excellent tips, and as ‘runorgocrazy’ said, so true!
The one I particularly like is not listening to all the negative comments from non-runners discouraging you to get out and run. It is like you are holding up a mirror to their weaknesses and they don’t like what they see … just because you have decided to do something healthy for yourself!
Great advice that every beginner runner should remember – and even some more experienced ones.
It’s so common to come across people who try to discourage runners from getting out there – family and friends are often guilty of this.
And the final piece of advice is the best – with time running becomes an important part of life that isn’t a chore but a pleasure.
Good post – I still get the line that I will wear my knees out but I point out it is a case of use it or lose it
Great post, great advice – I really enjoy reading your blog.
Thank you for this advice…I have only just made it out of the gym and onto roads and some of my (lazy) family members have tried all of those comments on me!
Good luck for Janathon
Great post, thank you! Your advice about sticking with it is something I can really relate to – it took me a little while to really enjoy running, but it does come eventually. Really wish someone had told me it would when I’d started. And well done for getting out there in the sleet!
Keep up the great posting and keep up the milage for 2011 – 800 miles for teh years is amazing! WELL DONE!
Great blog! Nice and positive. And kudos on the Janathon run 🙂