Welcome to a new year and new name for your dose of monthly Wednesday wisdom on running — Just Run! Clever, right? Since 2017 is already a blur I will remind you that myself and five or six of my most knowledgeable and experienced run blogger friends get together to bestow our collective wisdom on a variety of running related topics.
This month we are sharing advice and training tips for all the newbies who think starting a running habit in 2018 is a good idea. I’m adding advice for us old runners too since, if you’re anything like me, you forgot what it’s like to be a new runner!
ONE: RUNNING IS HARD
And….we’re done.
Seriously, if you can wrap your little newbie head around this one simple fact, you will forever love running. Like parenting, running doesn’t get easier, it just gets different. With time and experience (and great advice!) you will either come to accept this and embrace it or you won’t be a runner. It truly is the hard that makes it great and it’s so unbelievably worth it so hang in there…it gets different.
The hardest times in running for me were after having the twins and after turning 40.
The below picture was taken 30 seconds after crossing the finish line of my second triathlon in 2010. I was immediately back to being mom and it was unbelievably exhausting. Turning 40 was hard because now I have to work harder to keep up with the times I had last year or the year before and your mind starts to play tricks on you, so the mental side of running is harder as well. But again, every single bit of it is so worth it.
TWO: YES, IT’S THE SHOES (AND OTHER GEAR)
Do yourself a favor and go to a specialty running store and have them fit you for the correct pair of shoes for your foot and form. It matters. In fact, it matters the most. If you don’t have proper shoes, and since almost no one has perfect biomechanics, you will get injured and then you will hate running because it hurt you. If you’re local, I recommend Fleet Feet in Longmeadow (and tell them I sent you!) or really any Fleet Feet store near you.
The second most important piece of gear is probably your socks. It’s really all about your feet people I mean, it is running we’re talking about. Be prepared to pay over $15 for a good pair of socks and also be prepared to go through them fairly quickly. In fact, just set up a Go Fund Me page for shoes and socks now and get ahead of the game.
At least I had a great pedicure.
THREE: RUNNING IS NOT BUILT IN A DAY
If you have no patience, you’re not going to be happy about this one. Running takes a painful amount of time to build. Most people don’t even know how far one mile is, until they run it and then they are sure they must have run at least five. Welcome to running.
The key to not getting injured and to really love running is to start slow and short, maybe even take walk breaks, depending on where you’re starting from. There are literally thousands of running plans out there, just be careful who you get them from. Some of the trusted names in the biz are linked to Runner’s World and some great coaches that come to mind are Laura (below) at This Runner’s Recipes and Laura at Mommy, Run Fast. Obviously you need a coach named Laura. < – – that is not true but I would hire one of them, just to be safe
FOUR: RUNNING WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
If you let it, running can change you’re entire life for the better. The best part is that it doesn’t matter how fast or far you run, you will become a different person and you’re life will then be divided into before and after running.
If it sounds too good to be true, try it. I dare you.
And, if you don’t want to take my word for it, I offer the following expert advice from women who know how hard it is to start and then keep running year after year.
NELLIE | BROOKLYN ACTIVE MAMA
LAURA | THIS RUNNER’S RECIPES
ANGELA | HAPPY FIT MAMA
SARAH | RUN FAR GIRL
CARLY | FINE FIT DAY
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Do you want to start running? Why or why not?
If you are already a runner, what would you add?
I think people assume that running just gets easier but as you know…it never does. Consistency is always key in everything. You don’t lose fitness in a day and you don’t build fitness in a day either. It takes time.
Precisely! That is a perfect summation from someone who knows 🙂 Thanks Hollie!
Definitely doesn’t come quick or easy but it will change your life for sure <3
Dead @ tip one. Lol I love these tips — they set VERY realistic expectations for new runners, and really speak to those of us who have been in the game for a while. Thanks!
Right? Thanks so much! Keep running 🙂
100% agree with all these tips–especially hiring a coach. Do it right. Oh, and check your ego! Let your coach guide you. As a new runner, I had a friend who was a coach and her advice was invaluable–I still rely on it to this day!
The ego check is so hard at first. My coach used to say “try everything and then try listening to your coach!” Duh. And yes, some of the advice from my friends when I first started running was the best advice for sure!
oh my word all of this is SO true! Especially the footwear and omg my life before running…everything is so much different, and after my first marathon I pretty much felt like I could do anything (still feel that way!)
I know, right? Marathons can absolutely make you feel invincible and it carries over into all aspects of your life. Have I told you how happy I am you became a runner? xoxo
These are some great tips! I love it:)
irinathayer.com
I need to get back into running. I still have this awkward limp. Hoping by the 6 month mark it’ll be better…
You want to proceed with caution for sure! You don’t have another ACL left to give!!
Thank you for the coaching shout-out!! Great advice. I wish I had known about better socks when I started running… so many blisters from not being in good socks or the right shoes for me.
Of course! And yes, good socks are everything, especially in the summer or in the rain – ouch.
this is perfect timing, isn’t it always? i feel like i am a new runner right now because i’m literally learning how to run again and working from ground zero. i’m giving myself a chance to really get into the whole process and the sport of it, the actual substance of it and into the meat. i dunno, i feel like one side of me wants to just be all free spirited about it and do it when i want to do it, but that doesn’t seem to work for me if i want to run frequently. i am forced to take it a bit more seriously, which is fine. i’m wiser now, right? so now i think what i would tell new runners is prepare yourself for a journey into the unknown if you don’t have a plan. i know it sounds harsh. if you don’t have a plan, you can expect the unexpected. but if you are new runner and work with a coach or follow a proven plan and recover, you can expect a bit more predictable things and might even enjoy it more? what do i know, i’m constantly feeling like a total newbie in life 🙂
#1…nothing more to be said. 😉
Absolutely love them!!
I am a patient guy and I really enjoy running. It ease my back pain and makes me regain my energy. I am always ready to start my day with a quick run.
Thanks for sharing the article, Allie! As a running expert, I also recommend aspiring runners to start small and if needed, take running breaks. After sticking with it, that person should notice a change. Suddenly 1 mile won’t feel like enough 🙂
I agree! Starting small and setting attainable goals at the beginning is key! Thanks for reading and for your insight.