How to Start Running
The hardest thing about starting to run is actually getting out of the front door.
We can create stories about our beliefs that prevent us from trying something new. It could be that you believe you are not a runner because….
You are too old, not sporty, weren’t sporty at school, not the right body shape, not fast enough…..
There is an assumption that to be a successful older runner you had to be a successful junior runner; recent research has discredited this belief finding there isn’t a positive correlation between being a successful junior runner and a successful older runner.
Anyone can run given the right tools.
At what age do we stop enjoying running? As children we run around freely, joyfully laughing, and genuinely enjoying it. When does that stop?
Try to remember that feeling of freedom and put your trainers on and walk out of the door, set yourself a small goal of run/walk between lamp posts, 10 mins is more than enough to start off with.
Slow it down. Another myth that surrounds running is that you must be fast to be a runner. No, you don't, in fact most runs should be run at a comfortable, talking pace; this is your pace. If you can't talk, slow it down even more, as long as one foot is off the ground at any one time you are running.
It's ok to walk, I am giving you permission to walk, everyone has to start somewhere, and walking is the right thing to when you first start running.
Breath through your mouth, it's bigger than your nose airways so get the air in and out through the bigger airway of the mouth.
Relax, most people are too busy thinking about what they are having for dinner and if anyone does shout anything, just ignore them. Hold your head up high, nobody knows if you've just finished a 20-mile run or a 10 min run/walk.
We asked our RunVerity member’s this question “What did you wish you’d known before you started running?” here are just a few of their responses;
How much better it would make me feel
That you don’t have to be ‘a runner’ to run
That it doesn’t have to hurt!
How important proper well fitted (usually expensive) running shoes are but now know they are worth every penny!!
How addictive it can be
The headspace and mindfulness it would bring, that I never knew I needed; and some fab friends along the way
That it can make you feel better when life gets you down
How elated and happy I would feel after each run, with a little tinge of smugness
That some days running will be hard
How it’s not as bad as it was in my head even though I had run before my head was talking me out of it and loving it again now!
That it’s ok to start in your 50’s, you’re not too old to join in and have fun as well as get fit
It could be so much fun running as part of a team, should have started years ago
Rest days are an important part of the training plan
How much I would hate NOT being able to run
Running rewards patience, success doesn’t happen overnight or even in a year, it’s a journey with highs and lows
And we know that physical exercise is good for us physically…
but did you know that aerobic exercise can strengthen your brain which can lead to improvements in cognitive skills like
learning,
memory,
improve fine motor coordination,
brain connectivity,
protecting against cognitive decline,
reducing depression symptoms
This shift in perception of what being physically active actually looks like has contributed to more people showing up and not giving up despite getting older. Anne (pictured right) is 65 years old and has run 5 marathons in the last 5 years and she hasn’t finished yet.
If you would like to start running but not sure how to start; learn more about our Award Winning Beginner’s Running Course, they are held every 8 weeks.