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my best friend recently asked me "how did you stick with running? i tried and gave up after two runs! everything just hurt." i definitely let her know that there are still runs where i want to (and sometimes do!) give up because things hurt. but, i also told her some things that helped get me through the first few weeks/i wish i had known in the beginning to make things easier. today, i'm linking up with courtney, cynthia, and mar to share with you all the top five running tips i gave her for new runners.
1.) get fit for shoes
this is something i wish i knew when i first started. i honestly thought you just kind of chose the type of shoe you wanted, and that was it. after a year of running and a minor ankle injury, i went to get properly fit after a friend recommended it and found out i needed stability shoes. i've had no issues since switching away from neutral shoes and sometimes wonder how my first half marathon would have gone had i been using the proper shoes.
2.) use intervals
i used an app that eased me in to running by using run/walk intervals. i honestly believe that had i just gone out on my own and tried to run as long and fast as i could, i would have burned out and given up early on. i personally used 10k runner and loved it.
3.) roll those legs
my legs were constantly sore in those early days of running as they got used to a new physical activity, and i quickly bought myself a foam roller. it was a great purchase and i still use it, but i honestly think the stick works best for me. in any case, get some type of rolling tool to keep your muscles fresh!
4.) sign up for a goal race
knowing that i had a fun race on the horizon that i had already financially committed to really helped push me to go out on training runs. i wanted to do the best i could at the race and had my eye on the prize that was the dumbo double finisher's medal, and it really encouraged me to not stop running.
5.) have fun!
i was definitely guilty of taking things way too seriously and constantly thinking about my pace and comparing myself to others when i started. but it shouldn't be that way! running can be fun and a wonderful stress release, but it won't be that way if you stress yourself out about it. instead, enjoy the journey and welcome to the running community!
