5 Running Tips for Beginners

Running, or any kind of physical activity for that matter can seem a little intimidating at first. But there is absolutely nothing to worry about. You decided to bring a positive change to your lifestyle. The only thing you should do is be proud of yourself! Here are some tips on how to begin your amazing journey to a healthier lifestyle!

Safety First

Any kind of form of physical activity requires you to be really careful. Running isn’t just going out for a jog. It requires a certain kind of preparation. First, you have to check if the critical points like your ankles and knees hurt. Especially if you had problems with these areas before. Just to be safe you can invest in ankle and knee braces from Your Best Brace. They will provide you with the safety you need for a full on jog without getting injured.

Also, you have to remember to always stretch before you go jogging. It doesn’t have to be anything extreme but just to warm up. You should focus on warming up the critical points – that’s right your ankles and knees. Injuries on these parts of the body are the most common. So before you go for a run in the park be sure to warm up properly.

Invest in Good Running Shoes

Today on the market there is a wide variety of running shoes. They are extremely important for comfort and injury prevention. There is a notion that you can run in any old sneakers but this is definitely not recommended. If you are serious about getting on this journey you should absolutely invest in a pair.

Running shoes are so comfortable you’ll want to wear them regularly. The sales person in your local sports store will be able to determine what kind of shoes fit your feet and running style. But sadly even running shoes need to be replaced from time to time. It’s widely recommended to replace them after you’ve run 300 to 400 miles.

Build up Your Pace

The most crucial thing every beginner needs to remember is to start slowly. You won’t become Usain Bolt in a day and that is absolutely normal. It takes time and practice to become good at something. And your will power will be much more important than anything else. If you set a goal to go for a jog 3 times a week you should stick to it. Every journey begins at some point you just have to set the date and time. There are several ways you can begin your running journey.

There is a saying that if you do something for 2 minutes you will gradually want to do it more. If you set yourself a goal to run for just 2minutes shortly, you will find out that you didn’t break a sweat and will want to do it more. So you can run for 2 minutes then walk for 2 minutes as long as you like. If this is the first time you’re doing any form of physical exercise after a long time doesn’t do it for longer than 15 minutes. Speed and time will come gradually. It’s better to have a slow and steady pace than to jog once a year.

Rest Days

Rest days are as important as any other tip on this list. On rest days you can reflect on your jogging experience. How many miles did you run? How did you feel? What’s your next plan of action? These are all the questions you can reflect on during these days. Moreover, if you set yourself a goal to go for a run every day soon your will power will fade. And that is something you definitely don’t want to. Building a habit slowly a habit that will stay permanently.

But what’s more important, your body needs time to rest and recover. During this time your body adapts to this new kind of lifestyle. Your cardiovascular system, muscles, and bones all need time to recover for your next run. So be kind to it, it’s the only body you will ever have!

Create a Playlist

If there is something in the world that can move us instantly that’s good music! Some people like to go for a jog in silence and soak up the outside atmosphere. Some love being motivated by their favorite music. Either way during a jog your head will be absolutely clear.

As a beginner, apart from your will power music will really motivate you to keep on running. Just think about your favorite artists. They have at least one powerful song that makes you feel like you’re on the top of the world. Making a playlist can be really fun. You’ll be surprised to find how many songs you actually know and like. Remember to update your playlist regularly. It can get a little stale after a while and a song that once motivated you will become the song you always skip. So keep it diverse!

Final Words

Before you start lacing up your shoes remember to check your precious knees and ankles, invest in comfy running shoes and don’t be too hard on yourself. Every beginning can seem tough. But after a while, you’ll wonder how you lived without running. Stay strong and start conquering those miles!