Getting Started: Baby Steps

Question: So how do I start running? Won't I be sore? How will I know I'm getting better?

These are the most common questions and concerns for all beginning runners ... We all gotta start somewhere and I suggest you start out slowly!! If you haven't run in months and the thought of running a mile seems impossible, start off with a 30 minute power walk to get your blood flowing and legs moving. Slowly add running into the mix for a few minutes with a walk-run balance for 30 minutes. (Example: Run for 4 minutes and walk for 6 minutes, repeat.). Run every other day and slowly add a few more mintues to your run time. (Example: Run for 6 minutes and walk for 4 minutes). Before you know it you'll be running the entire 30 minutes w/o stopping! Keep in mind, it's not about how fast you go - just run at your pace! When you're ready to pick it up, push yourself for a few minutes and then return to your comfortable pace. Running is a race within you; you're in the driver's seat!

It's common to feel soreness in the beginning. As long as you start out slowly and take walk breaks, the muscle soreness will go away in about a day. A good stretch before and after your run makes a huge difference.When I trained for the full marathon over the summer, I did a 16+ mile run w/ one minute walk breaks every 10 minutes of running - this aided me to go the distance and helped tremendously with post run recovery.

As you remain discipline with your running, you'll notice you'll be huffing, puffing, and cursing less. You'll also have good run days where you'll run faster or push yourself the extra block. These are signs you are getting better! Before you know it, you'll be running your first 5k!! ... It's all about starting out slow and taking baby steps along the way!

For those of you who have been following my blog this last year, I started of huffing and puffing my way through 3 miles on the dreaded treadmill at the gym. Slowly but surely, and with self discipline - I added more mileage and pushed myself to go farther each week. It started out with 8 miles a weeks and I slowly worked my way to running 30 miles a week. In 8 months of training, I ran my first full marathon! ... If this big klutz with two left feet and no eye hand coordination can run, anyone can!