As Spring approaches, now is a great time to start running.
Not only is running good for your physical health, many people find it beneficial mentally as well as it gives you space to think (or to switch off from normal life) AND it builds resilience and the ability to push through.
As much as some like to complain about running, the truth is once you get going and find your rhythm it's actually quite good fun!
So here's our top 5 tips for getting started running. We hope you find them helpful!
1. Start slow. If you're new to running, your body is going to need sometime to adapt so start off at a gentle pace that you can sustain and progress from there.
2. Pick your route/distance before you start your run. If you go out without an idea of the distance or route you plan to cover, it can be tempting to cut things short if it's not immediately comfortable. So have a plan, stick to it but feel free to alter your pace as you need. For a total newbie, start with between 2km and 5km.
3. Focus on your breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth - nice need breaths in and controlled breaths out. Not only will this help you take in ample oxygen to keep your muscles functioning well, it helps to relax your body which makes running easier. An added benefit is it distracts you from how your legs are feeling!
4. Be consistent. Running once a week is better than not running at all but it's not enough to actually see progression. Aim to run 3 or 4 times a week, even if it's just a short gentle jog. Consistency is key and your body will reward you with endorphins, which make you happy, and over time greater endurance and cardiovascular health.
5. Running Shoes. Running exposes your body to increased impact as you stride, so ensuring you have proper running shoes on your feet is really important. All the other running kit is a 'nice to have', but you can wear any old t-shirt and pair of shorts. Running shoes on the other hand are essential as you want to make sure your feet are properly cushioned (to mitigate the impact) and properly supported (to help prevent injuries).
We curate our running shoe range carefully to ensure there's a quality range to suit different feet and price points and also to make the selection process less confusing but we would encourage you to get in touch with us if you have questions.
Shop Running Shoes HERE!