First time runners have quite the uphill battle! Pun intended!
Rather than racing off and injuring yourself, take a moment to stretch and read through our top tips to make the journey a little less painful.
Apparel Tips
- Wear spandex shorts under your regular running shorts so you don’t chafe “down there.”
- Cotton socks will only lead to blisters; invest in socks designed for running.
- Ladies, do not skimp on a bra. Even if it costs more than your shoes it’s still a bargain.
- Buy running clothes you look good in and that will motivate you to run.
- Buy new running clothes at the end of the season when stores dump the old season’s line. Think clearance!
Community
- Join your local running club—check with your local running store fitness center and/or recreation department to find one.
- Volunteer at a local race—meet runners support runners and connect with your Community.
Manners
- Remember to say “Thank You!” to race volunteers (e.g. when you get that cup of water at the aid station) and family and friends who support you.
- Conscientiously share the trail with walkers, bikers and other runners.
- Always try to balance running with the people you love by making a schedule that involves and is considerate of everyone.
- Don’t carry loose change. It will annoy those who are running with you.
- Don’t neglect and irritate your family and friends by spending all your time running and talking about running.
Motivational Tips
- Sign up for a race as soon as you feel up to it.
- Find a committed running partner. It is much harder to skip a run when you have someone else depending on you.
- Remember that you will have plateaus in your progress and tough days along the way. It gets easier.
- Accept and appreciate the fact that not every single run can be a good one.
- Be prepared to remove the words “can’t” and “never” from your vocabulary.
- “Do not compare yourself to others. Run within yourself and for yourself first.
- Don’t expect every run to be better than the last one; some of them will hurt.
- Don’t think too much about it or you won’t do it.
- Even a bad run is better then no run at all.
- If you normally run with music try skipping it and listening to your feet to hear your pace and your gait.
- Don’t be discouraged if you don’t experience weight loss immediately.
- Running is not an excuse to triple your intake of doughnuts because runners gain weight too.
