Getting healthy can look different for everyone, but looking after your health is always important. There are lots of ways that you can get healthy, from changing your diet to exercising more. The latter of the two can be quite hard to start, especially when you’re a newbie.
Running is one of the most common forms of exercise, and picking it up can be fairly straightforward. However, it can be daunting to just start running, as doing it incorrectly could lead to injury.
So, keep reading and discover our quick running tips to help you get started.
Learn the following five quick running tips to get you started:
- Decide Where You Want To Run
The first thing you want to do is decide where you’re actually going to take up running. The treadmills at the gym are some people’s first option, so you need to make sure you find a good local gym that fits your budget.
You also want to make sure that the gym has plenty of treadmills too. If it only has a couple and you’re planning on going at prime time, you may find that you can never get one for yourself. You don’t want to head all the way to the gym, only to find that it’s too busy for you to run.
Other people like to run outside, so it’s vital that you plan your route beforehand. There are some great runners trails that you can follow, but they aren’t everywhere. If you don’t plan your route, you could easily get lost and end up too far from home.
So, always map out where you’re going to run outside, and you’ll find it much easier to run outdoors.
- Have The Right Footwear
Running trainers are essential when you decide to take up running. The exercise itself puts a lot of pressure on your knees and ankles, so you need to have footwear that protects them. Trainers with strong absorption are best as they stop the shock of your feet hitting the ground from impacting your lower body and joints.
You also need to have shoes that can be adjusted and tightened when necessary. Your shoes should never be loose when running as this could cause you to slip and fall. This is why laces are always best as they can be properly tightened and fit the trainer to your foot securely.
Don’t go for the cheapest pair out there either, as they may not be the best quality and could cause you to damage in the long term.
- Always Bring Something To Hydrate
When you’re running, you’re going to work up quite a sweat. So, it’s important that you’ve always got something to hydrate. Water is always your best option, but other hydrating sports performance drinks can also be good.
You want to bring along enough that you’ll have plenty to drink, but not too much that it becomes a burden to carry. Some people like the bottles that are designed to be gripped through the middle so you can hold them easily while you run.
Others like to use a small, fitted backpack designed for runners so that they can store their bottles in there instead. Whatever type of bottle you decide on, just make sure that you always have enough water to rehydrate yourself during your run.
Not having enough water can be dangerous, and you put yourself at risk of fainting, so it’s crucial that you always have water to hand.
- Don’t Push Yourself Too Much
When you first pick up running, you might want to see how far you can push yourself, but this can hinder your performance rather than improve it. New runners should not expect to run 5 kilometers in the same amount of time as someone who has been doing it for years.
You need to set your own pace and go with what feels right for your body. This may not be the same as your running partner (if you have one) or the person next to you in the gym. But that doesn’t mean that you aren’t good or getting stronger.
Each time you run, you’re building up your endurance, and before you know it, you’ll be able to increase your speed or lower your previous best times. So, don’t push yourself too hard, to begin with. Take it slow and steady, and always stop if something doesn’t feel right.
- Be Aware Of Your Breathing
Running can be quite hard at first, as you’ll most likely get out of breath quite quickly. However, f you focus on your breathing and learn to control it, you’ll find that you can perform much better. Make sure to inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
Breathing in through your mouth isn’t good for you and it doesn’t carry as much oxygen either. This will make it a lot harder to recover while running, so you always want to inhale through your nose no matter how tempting it might be.
You’ll find that your running improves much faster when you control your breathing.
Running isn’t going to be for everyone, but it can be a great way to take control of your own health and well-being. These 5 tips show you just how easy it can be to start running, and you don’t have to be a track star to take it up.
All it takes is some planning for quick running tips the right footwear, and plenty of water, and you’ll be well on your way to being a great runner. You’ll soon enjoy that runner’s high that you’ve heard everyone talk about too!
