Getting Started
Running is often thought of as hard and grueling, and some t-shirts carry slogans such as "Our sport is what other sports use for punishment".
But running isn't really that hard and is in fact something we learned to do as children. We could run all day long and nobody had to teach us about technique.
So what happened? We were told to sit still, slow down, clean your plate and a host of other factors until we were conditioned out of our natural high energy dispositions.
The key to get started running is taking the time to allow our bodies to become conditioned once again. This processes is often called "Building a Base". It's very important to realize that this can take some time depending on your starting condition and current activity level.
It is typical for those who have been sedentary for some time to make great strides in their cardiovascular ability when they get started. This rapid increase is a factor leading to injury because it leads to a false sense of being able to push it a little.
Unfortunately our bodies haven't always adapted to the rigors of running in the early stages and it's not ready to be pushed just yet. Tendons and ligaments just don't have the flexiblity your muscles have and your cartilage hasn't developed a nice density to handle the impact.
The beginners running plans are designed to bring you along slowly allowing you to establish a good base. We've even provided a few walking plans to bring you up to speed at your own pace.
Sound Advice
Before you start running or any other type of fitness program, do yourself a favor and see
a doctor. This isn't just something everybody says to protect them from liable but it's good advice.
Be proactive and tell your doctor what your goals are and have them review your plan to achieve them. And who better than your physician to help you determine things like target heart rates or to review special dietary needs based on your starting condition.
Shoes
Do not under estimate the need for a good pair of shoes, nor the need to be
fitted at a quality running store.
A good running shoe store like Fleetfeet can help you by analyzing your gait and foot fall patterns. Typically this is done by having you get on a treadmill with video cameras attached to it, and while you run or jog they will show you on a display screen what is going on and explain basic concepts like pronation, supination, and strike positions.
By going through this process, the trained staff can then make recommendations on the types of shoes available to make your running and exercise experience more comfortable, enjoyable and possibly even avoiding injury.
Journals
Starting a journal is a great way to track your progress.
Journals are often a misunderstood tool. In the early stages, much like a young person with a checkbook who doesn't keep their register current because "they know" how much money is in the account ala "none".
Likewise many aspiring to improve their level of fitness don't keep journals because they don't see the point, after all they know how much they have put into the proverbial fitness bank.
But the superior athlete knows the journal is much more than just a tracking tool, soon it will begin to expose patterns and habits. And they know habits are powerful tools, and the one who develops quality habits will achieve superior results!
Running doesn't have to be boring. Dogs make wonderful training partners
for beginners with limited mileage.