How To Start Your Running Plan
Many people contact me and want to begin a running plan. They often say that they do not know where to begin or how to start. A lot of people get distracted by what is the best plan for their goals, or the best way to run, or not having the time. I am going to cover all of that.
Before You Begin
Starting a running plan is one of the simplest ways to get healthier and you can see results in weeks! But before you start running, you are going to need to have the basics: a pair of shoes and some clothing. I am not advocating you to go out and spend lots of money on these things.
1 — Good Shoes:
Do not hurt your feet
That can get dirty
2- Good Clothes:
Weather and climate appropriate
Be comfortable
I recommend your current pair of sneakers (or old pair) and some clothes you no longer wear regularly. No shoes? A $40-60 dollar pair works fine. You can also run barefoot, but I only recomend you run on grass that is free from impediments. Their is no need to spend hundreds on shoes, unless your feet have other issues. If you don’t have clothes I recommend Goodwill or other used clothing stores. Remember, you are not trying to win a fashion contest, you are trying to stay healthy.
Morning or night person?
It does not matter when you run. What matters is that you can fit it into your schedule every week. Before work and after work are ideal for most people but you can also run during the day or on a lunch break.
Some areas are unsafe to run at specific times and we do not all have the luxury of going somewhere where it is safe. My only recommendation is to run when it is safe.
How long should you run for?
How much time do you have? Being physically active for 30 minutes is better than being active for 10 minutes. But, that does not mean it is not beneficial to be active for 10 minutes. If all you have is 10 minutes that is all you have, make the most of it. Go out and own those 10 minutes.
Don’t overdo it (especially in the beginning)
A lot of people want to start a new running routine or really any fitness plan with as much intensity as possible. This tends to backfire on a lot of people. They commit too much time that is not sustainable for their schedule/ lifestyle, they work at an intensity that they can only handle for a few weeks, and/ or they train until they injure themselves. Start slow, start manageable, and focus on being consistent.