How To Start Running - Taking Care of the Basics

For the majority of new runners that take up running, they hardly ever consider how to start running the right way. The general idea seems to simply be to put on a t shirt, some old jogging pants and a pair of running shoes and off they go, running in to the sunset... and then back again in around 5 minutes time, feeling tired and demoralised about how challenging the whole experience was.

This is not how to start running. The following 5 steps are what you ought to take in order to avoid the usual beginners running traps that most starters face.

Step 1

Get a pair of good quality, well fitting running shoes. Using the right footwear can make you feel like you're running on air instead of feeling every lump and bump in the road as your heel strikes the ground sending shudders up your whole body. Not only this, but wearing badly chosen running shoes can greatly increase your chances of suffering from a great many of runners blights including shin splints, stress fractures and Achilles tendonitis, to name just a few.

Step 2

Get hold of a good running schedule that shows you how to run properly. The schedule should be written by an experienced personal trainer who has worked with beginners not just athletes. An ex Olympian or extreme runner won't empathise with the way most people feel when they start running. Not only that, but one of their main drive for their sport is derived through pushing themselves to the limit and the feeling that gives them.

The majority of newbies don't start running in order to win an Olympic medal or put themselves through as much discomfort as they can. In actual fact most beginners are looking to simply lose some weight, get a bit fitter or achieve a goal of running a race for charity or just to prove to themselves that they can commit to something and achieve an ambition in their lives.

Step 3

Take some time to write down a list of goals for you to achieve. They may be as simple as - "I will run on 3 days this week", "I will aim to beat my best time on my favourite run" or "I can run for 1 mile without stopping at the end of 4 weeks". It isn't important what these goals are in as much as what they help to to achieve

Step 4

Find out how to run effectively. Yes that's right, actually learn the technique of running. This could be one of the most important elements of how to start running successfully. If you get this bit right now, you'll avoid teaching your body bad running technique which could well save you months of anguish and frustration if you pick up any niggling injuries due to poor form.

Step 5

Start off slowly. Take a long term view of your running and try to enjoy the whole process. Don't attempt to run on your first few sessions, instead, power walk and add in a few sporadic short bursts of gentle jogging. If you approach running like a bull at a gate, you'll become very despondent as you'll never build up enough stamina and strength in your heart, lungs or legs to be able to keep going for very long. Instead coax and encourage your body in to improving.

Hopefully that gives you some thoughts to how to start running properly so you avoid injury, stagnation, boredom and the frustration from not getting better and you can go on to enjoy and succeed in your new chosen interest.