Get off on the Right Foot: The Ultimate Guide to Starting Running
Everybody knows that getting the right amount of exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy life. However, finding the right type of exercise that you enjoy can take time. If you have already tried going to the gym with little to no success or have found that those pilates classes aren’t what you thought they would be like, then maybe it is time to try something new. Running is a cost-effective form of exercise that enables you to get out and explore your local area. Plus, you can choose to do it yourself or with others and work towards a personal goal while benefiting from stress relief. With numerous benefits, the only thing left is to learn how to get started.
Step 1: Set Goals
Like many aspects of life, a goal is essential to set in order to keep yourself highly motivated. With a goal in mind, even at times of struggle, you can power through and push yourself to achieve it. Therefore, before you start running, you should consider what your goal is going to be. Common goals include:
- Running for a charity
- Taking part in a marathon
- Losing weight
- Entering a race
- Running a certain distance
Step 2: Purchase the right gear
If you already do a little bit of exercise, then the chances are that you already have some of the appropriate gear for working out. However, you need to ensure that this is ideal for running. As an example, while you might have the perfect pair of trainers for doing weight lifting or cycling, this doesn’t mean they are the right choice for running. Running puts a lot of pressure on your feet; therefore, you need shoes that are going to provide both function and comfort. You can find reviews on brands, such as On Running, that explain how with every stride you take, you will be running with ultimate comfort on the streets of your city.
Step 3: Think of the practicalities
Not everyone has the luxury to run without keys or their phone, so you should start thinking about the practicalities of running with these essentials. Some people choose to wear a phone holder on their wrist or upper arm, while others will choose a belt.
Step 4: Map out your running route
Although the idea of a spontaneous run might sound fun, when you find yourself miles from your home, with the prospect of having to make your way home on foot, your legs won’t thank you. Instead, ensure that you map out your running route before you head off each time.
Step 5: Warm-up properly
Once you have changed into your running gear, you might be tempted to get going as soon as possible. However, without first warming up, you risk causing damage to your body, such as pulling a muscle or tweaking a tendon. Start by stretching to loosen up your muscles and increase heart rate, and then start off with a two to three-minute walk before turning these into strides.
Step 6: Get going, but start slowly
No one is expecting you to be able to run a marathon on your first running session, so don’t expect yourself to achieve this either. The best approach to starting up running is to take it slowly. Even just going for a fast-paced walk is a great way to get you into running.
Gallery
