Welcome my dear friends, you have decided that you want to start running, that is awesome. It takes quite little for someone to just want to start running, however it takes quite a bit of getting used to in order to maintain running in your entire workout routine. I am a humble guide who would be happy to share with you some personal tips and tricks that got me to start running.

The ideal setup is that you’ve been doing some sort of exercise for at least 2 weeks, it would be the best if you’ve had some cardio placed in your workout routine before you start running. However if not, do not fret, you can start running anyways, well almost, you’ll understand as we go along.

Check with your physician. This is especially true for those who are not very active. It is always best to be safe especially when it comes to your health, if you plan to start running, which is a great workout for the entire body and is guaranteed to burn a ton of calories, you still want to make sure that you are able to do so. Take the time to schedule an appointment and check if you are alright to start running.

Take it slow my young padawan. For none Star Wars fans that means a Jedi trainee of sorts, sorry just a big fan of the series.  Anyhow I digress, don’t rush running, after all if everyone could just start running, everyone would. This is a process and you need to warm your body up to it. Understand that and allow your body to stretch itself with light exercises for the first few weeks or so. Start your workout with walks first, then say every 1/5th of the time you are out, run. I’d measure it in minutes first, walk for 4 minutes and run the 5th, then take a walking break. Eventually you will be able to strengthen your stamina and be able to run longer during your workout. Of course, you should stretch your body properly before your workout, just in case you forget, make sure to do this before you start running.

Pick a great pair of shoes. Make sure they’re comfy, your feet will thank you later.

Get the proper shoes. While to start running requires very little equipment, let’s just say that a new pair of shoes will save you from a painful trip to the doctor. Don’t skip out and get a great pair of running shoes at your local shops. There are a lot of reasonable priced pairs of shoes that are specific to running, a lot of runners just want a lot of people to start running, which is great for you and your workout. You can even get some great stretch routines from the people around the shop.

Find your comfort zone. It is important to not go too far, after all a lot of people who start running might forget, that wherever they run to, they need to go back home via running as well.  Keep it simple since you just started your workout, go around your neighborhood and keep it a simple small zone for now. In fact if you want to run around your block only for when you start running, I wouldn’t blame you. It’s a good, simple idea, although the view can get a little monotonous, however keeping your house in fairly reachable distance is a good idea for beginners.

Schedule your workout. While the idea of a workout is always awe inspiring, finding your way to start up is something that makes it difficult. A great way to start running is to schedule your workout at the best time for you, make it a comfortable time that does not clash with work or other duties, if you plan it out properly you will be able to avoid self excuses. You have to start somewhere and repetition is the mother of skill as they say and if you ever want to start running, this is your mantra.

Plan out your calories. When you start running you will feel the calories burn away. You will get hungry and even hungrier. Make sure to manage this as it will affect your overall health. When you get hungry at inopportune times in the day, you will tend to eat whatever is lying around. However if you plan your calories and have a proper diet, you can avoid this pitfall. Think of it as a way to stretch out your stomach to make sure you are getting proper nutrition and enough fuel when you start running. For you workaholics, I have an article titled: Diet Plans for the Workaholic, which should work just for you.

Make sure to warm up an do some stretching before you start running to eliminate aches and pains post-workout.

Push it but know when to pull back. It is great that you are pushing yourself to start running. I know for most people just getting around the block at a running pace is very difficult. When you start running, you will want to push yourself through a wall and get further and further than you ever have. This is a good mentality, but you have to also know when the aches and pains in your body tells you something, such as: you did not stretch enough, you are not ready for this or you need to take a break. Make sure that you figure it out during your workout, know when you should push the limit or when you need to reel yourself back in a bit and take a rest. Don’t worry, the road will still be there tomorrow, you can always run again tomorrow. You can’t run tomorrow if you injure yourself, so be weary and adventurous at the same time. Only you can really say how far your body can go when you start running.

Build up on a weekly basis. Rome was not built in a day my friends, and since you’re only about to start running, don’t expect to circle the entire state in one day. Be realistic and allow yourself to build up from the starting point, you can’t just jump to a full on marathon in your workout, this will leave you open to injury and will more than likely kill your enthusiasm to workout. As mentioned, when you start running build from the ground up. If you are able to run 5 miles today, maybe make it 6 miles next week. Again there is time for you to make it to however far you go, but it will take your perseverance and training to reach your goal. There are no shortcuts to this, trust me, but if you follow the tips and keep at it, you’ll enjoy the journey there.

Have fun with it. This is the end all be all of all routines, if you aren’t enjoying it, time to change it up a little. The same could be said for when you start running. Set some realistic goals that are just a little out of reach so you will push yourself, but don’t aim to be an Olympic runner from the get-go, it’ll take time. Have as much fun with your workout as possible, it’s difficult to get your runner’s shoes on if you aren’t motivated. To start running, you will need to enjoy running. Bring a friend and keep the pace brisk, maybe conversational even, this’ll make you enjoy the run even more. If you prefer the time alone to think about all the good things in life, go for it. Cater to you, when you start running you are doing this for you and nobody else, so smile.

These are some of the best tips that have worked for me and I hope they work for you, keep at it my friends, when you start running you will feel the road under your feet and the wind in your hair, enjoy the best of the world and let the world enjoy you at your best.

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