1. Get fitted for good shoes. This is my number one!!! 2. Set some realistic goals for yourself. Think about why you are running and what you hope to accomplish. 3. If you are going for a marathon (and a woman) and not a runner,The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women is a must. 4. The iPod nano with Nike+. I say this because it is super motivational and helps you set your pace (I think most of us starting out have a tendency to run too fast because we've never done distance). The Nike+ helps you know what you are doing. 5. Understand the importance of hydration. I made this mistake on my first run over 7 miles. It was cold and I didn't even think about needing water. Big mistake.
I like Chloe's. My basic thing I say to people when they say they don't like running is, "What do you run in?" Because there is no specific uniform for running (like in football, baseball, etc.) people think they can do it successfully while wearing anything they feel like. I think people aren't aware that preparing yourself for the task at hand is sooo important for success. Good shoes, non-cotton clothes, good socks, good hat, etc. So, I guess in essence my rule of thumb is the preparation before you start. Set yourself up for success!
sweat wicking clothes are SOOO important. NO COTTON PEOPLE! NO NO COTTON. i try to think of it as making yourself as comfortable as possible to focus on the physical running and not your clothes that are making you feel hot, blister, chaff, etc.
my 5 i think would be these:
1) get the right gear (shoes - get FITTED like chloe said, and non cotton running gear)
2) get a friend - it's always more fun with someone else
3) get a goal - a 5K, a marathon, whatever
4) find a beautiful place to run, whether a great neighborhood, a park, up a canyon, near water, whatever
5) be OK with failure - it's going be hard, it's going to suck, and don't expect to be paula radcliffe the second you get out there. you're going to walk, you are going to feel tired, but keep PUSHING and it will get easier.
maybe next we'll talk about how to build up mileage. what do you think?
gah, I wish I had tips but I am definitely here for the tips! these are great ones, thanks guys! And yes, I would be interested in learning how to build up mileage.
you don't know me, but i just moved to sunnyvale and have gone on a few runs with some of the girls that you used to run with... lindsey, kaylynn, maren, molly. i'm training for the salt lake city marathon right now and i love to run so i think your blog is a fabulous idea! so here's my top 5 (which have almost all been said):
1. get fitted for running shoes that are at least a size bigger than your normal street shoe size... don't go running in your VANS or CONVERSE people! :)
2. pick a race to do and actually sign up and PAY for it... paying money for something goes a long way in helping to motivate (it does for me anyway)
3. plan a training schedule... (i like halhigdon.com) if you have on a calendar the mileage and days you need to run in order to be ready for a specific race, it will be a lot harder to blow off a run
4. find a buddy... it's a lot more fun to chat away the miles with someone and you can help push each other
5. stretch after EVERY run! stretching your muscles when they are warm help keep you limber and decreases your chances of getting injured
I totally agree with everything that has already been said (you guys tole my answers!) so I'll add a few more things that have helped me as a newer runner: 1- Remember that running is a solo sport. Don't compare yourself to other runners. Go at your own pace and remember that it is ok to walk if you need to during your runs. I had to accept the fact that I am a slow runner and there is nothing wrong with that as long as I'm out there running! 2- Set a goal that is beyond what you think you can accomplish. Aim for the stars. I signed up for my first 10k when I couldn't even run a mile. I stuck to my training schedule out of pure fear of dying before I made it to the finish line. And along the way I found out that my body and mind are way more capable of what I think they are. 3- Read other runners blogs. It's great to be able to see other people have the same fears, injuries, frustrataions, etc that you do and can still run marathons. 4- Plan your training runs and track the to see how you are improving. It's exciting to see yourself going faster and longer! 5- I can't over emphasize the need for training buddies! I don't run with people but I've tried to build a network of people I talk to about running, sign up for races with, etc. It makes all the difference!
Amen. And I would like to add that you don't have to be fast. Lots of new runners think they have to run fast to "be a runner." Not true. Find your pace and enjoy it. Work on speed later. But first just run.
My top five:
ReplyDelete1. Get fitted for good shoes. This is my number one!!!
2. Set some realistic goals for yourself. Think about why you are running and what you hope to accomplish.
3. If you are going for a marathon (and a woman) and not a runner,The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women is a must.
4. The iPod nano with Nike+. I say this because it is super motivational and helps you set your pace (I think most of us starting out have a tendency to run too fast because we've never done distance). The Nike+ helps you know what you are doing.
5. Understand the importance of hydration. I made this mistake on my first run over 7 miles. It was cold and I didn't even think about needing water. Big mistake.
I like Chloe's. My basic thing I say to people when they say they don't like running is, "What do you run in?" Because there is no specific uniform for running (like in football, baseball, etc.) people think they can do it successfully while wearing anything they feel like. I think people aren't aware that preparing yourself for the task at hand is sooo important for success. Good shoes, non-cotton clothes, good socks, good hat, etc. So, I guess in essence my rule of thumb is the preparation before you start. Set yourself up for success!
ReplyDeletesweat wicking clothes are SOOO important. NO COTTON PEOPLE! NO NO COTTON. i try to think of it as making yourself as comfortable as possible to focus on the physical running and not your clothes that are making you feel hot, blister, chaff, etc.
ReplyDeletemy 5 i think would be these:
1) get the right gear (shoes - get FITTED like chloe said, and non cotton running gear)
2) get a friend - it's always more fun with someone else
3) get a goal - a 5K, a marathon, whatever
4) find a beautiful place to run, whether a great neighborhood, a park, up a canyon, near water, whatever
5) be OK with failure - it's going be hard, it's going to suck, and don't expect to be paula radcliffe the second you get out there. you're going to walk, you are going to feel tired, but keep PUSHING and it will get easier.
maybe next we'll talk about how to build up mileage. what do you think?
gah, I wish I had tips but I am definitely here for the tips! these are great ones, thanks guys! And yes, I would be interested in learning how to build up mileage.
ReplyDeletehey julia!
ReplyDeleteyou don't know me, but i just moved to sunnyvale and have gone on a few runs with some of the girls that you used to run with... lindsey, kaylynn, maren, molly. i'm training for the salt lake city marathon right now and i love to run so i think your blog is a fabulous idea! so here's my top 5 (which have almost all been said):
1. get fitted for running shoes that are at least a size bigger than your normal street shoe size... don't go running in your VANS or CONVERSE people! :)
2. pick a race to do and actually sign up and PAY for it... paying money for something goes a long way in helping to motivate (it does for me anyway)
3. plan a training schedule... (i like halhigdon.com) if you have on a calendar the mileage and days you need to run in order to be ready for a specific race, it will be a lot harder to blow off a run
4. find a buddy... it's a lot more fun to chat away the miles with someone and you can help push each other
5. stretch after EVERY run! stretching your muscles when they are warm help keep you limber and decreases your chances of getting injured
I totally agree with everything that has already been said (you guys tole my answers!) so I'll add a few more things that have helped me as a newer runner:
ReplyDelete1- Remember that running is a solo sport. Don't compare yourself to other runners. Go at your own pace and remember that it is ok to walk if you need to during your runs. I had to accept the fact that I am a slow runner and there is nothing wrong with that as long as I'm out there running!
2- Set a goal that is beyond what you think you can accomplish. Aim for the stars. I signed up for my first 10k when I couldn't even run a mile. I stuck to my training schedule out of pure fear of dying before I made it to the finish line. And along the way I found out that my body and mind are way more capable of what I think they are.
3- Read other runners blogs. It's great to be able to see other people have the same fears, injuries, frustrataions, etc that you do and can still run marathons.
4- Plan your training runs and track the to see how you are improving. It's exciting to see yourself going faster and longer!
5- I can't over emphasize the need for training buddies! I don't run with people but I've tried to build a network of people I talk to about running, sign up for races with, etc. It makes all the difference!
Amen. And I would like to add that you don't have to be fast. Lots of new runners think they have to run fast to "be a runner." Not true. Find your pace and enjoy it. Work on speed later. But first just run.
ReplyDelete