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You’ve decided to start running. Congratulations! You’re about to embark on a healthy and rewarding journey. But before you lace up your sneakers, there are a few things you need to do to make sure your first run is a success. Several important tips for new runners will help them achieve their fitness goals.
They should stick to a training plan to avoid injury, build a solid base, and track their runs to improve their endurance. This article is for new runners but has helpful information for all fitness levels. It will help you avoid some common running mistakes to get the most out of your running.
Beginner Runners Training Program
Start with a basic beginner runners training program if you’re new to running. For example, you can run for two minutes and walk for one. Repeat this several times.
Once you get the hang of it, you can start running at a higher speed. After you’ve mastered the basics, add cross-training to your running regimen. Beginner runners often find the most success by alternating between walking and running.
A beginner running plan should include three to four weekly running days. While this may sound like excessive running, it is also good for your general health.
Too many runs or miles can cause overuse injuries to your joints and muscles, leading to pulled and strained muscles, severe soreness, and even the runner’s knee and shin splints.
It’s also important to know the benefits and limitations of a beginner running plan before beginning a new running regimen.
A beginner runner training program should incorporate plenty of rest days. This allows the body to recover from its exertions. In addition, a beginner should not try to cover the same distance in one week as a more advanced runner.
Running too much can cause injury and burnout. So instead, it’s okay to repeat a week every few weeks if the pace increases gradually. By the time you reach the desired level of fitness, you’ll be able to run longer distances more often and at higher speeds.
To make running an enjoyable experience, a beginner should follow a structured training program. It should be challenging but not exhausting. Initially, you should run at a slow, comfortable pace.
Then, you can add faster training sessions as your stamina and endurance increase as you progress. It’s important to keep a balance between running for enjoyment and fitness.
There are many beginner runner training programs, and choosing the right one for you can make your journey as enjoyable as possible.
Avoiding running too fast
For beginners, it’s important to remember that speeding up will slow you down and cause serious injuries.
Runners who run too fast risk injury and other health problems, as the muscles in their legs will work at their maximum speed.
New runners should maintain a normal speed while running to prevent these problems. A few minutes of fast running every day will increase the risk of a serious injury.
Runners who run too fast risk injuring themselves, reducing their endurance, and impairing their ability to improve. It is crucial to pace yourself at a rate that will help you build endurance and improve your speed.
Running too fast will also cause you to become tired, which is detrimental to your training. Instead, try running at a comfortable pace and gradually increase your pace to help your muscles strengthen.
One of the most common mistakes new runners make is going from zero to high volume training in a short period of time. Running is a high-impact activity; if you push yourself too hard too early, you’ll risk developing stress fractures.
Instead, beginners should start slow and work on their endurance gradually, taking a solid rest day after every session to recover. Taking time to recover will help prevent burnout and injury and keep your motivation up.
Another common mistake is to over-breathe when running. Many runners take shallow, airy breaths, but it’s important to take deep, even breaths. By consciously slowing down, you’ll be able to run comfortably.
By slowing down, you’ll be able to recite the Pledge of Allegiance without straining your body. You’ll tire out before the race if you find yourself running too fast for your endurance.
Building a solid base
If you haven’t run any distance before, you should focus on aerobic mileage during the base-building phase of your running program. Then, sprinkle in one or two strength workouts a week to increase your running efficiency and prevent injury.
You should also add a couple of long runs of 90 minutes every two or three weekends, increasing capillarization, improving fat-burning, and making you accustomed to spending a lot of time on your feet.
It’s easy to overtrain during the beginning of your running career. But if you push yourself too far too quickly, you’ll end up suffering from burnout, lack of motivation, and hormone imbalances.
To put it simply, building a house without a solid foundation is like building on cardboard. Likewise, a base for running typically lasts anywhere from six to twelve weeks, depending on the runner’s type of fitness level and experience.
Regardless of your goals, building a solid base for running is essential for your success in the long run. In addition, it will prepare your body for more strenuous training sessions later on.
A solid base will also reduce your risk of injury, ensure sufficient aerobic fitness for future training, and improve your health. Including a solid running base in your training plan is important, no matter how advanced you are.
The length of the base-building phase depends on a variety of factors. Your overall running speed and consistency of your recent runs will determine how long you need to run before you can start adding tempo, hill training, and fartlek intervals.
Beginners should avoid doing 400 repeats on the track during the base-building phase. The long-run buildup will help you feel more comfortable with your routine and help you run longer.
Tracking your runs
There are many reasons for tracking your runs, but one of the most valuable is to learn how to improve your speed and avoid injury.
If you’re new to running, start tracking your runs now! It only takes a few minutes to start, but you’ll soon see the benefits! Keep up with the latest running trends and learn how to improve your performance and stay healthy by tracking your runs!
RunKeeper is an app for running that tracks your distance and calories burned. You can view your route on a map. Premium users can also set goals and schedule exercises with an audio coach.
Many training plans are available, which can be customized for different fitness levels. It also helps you monitor your heart rate so you can see how long you’re exercising in different heart rate zones.
It also gives you detailed information about how far you’ve run. If you’re a beginner, consider using a GPS-enabled device. These devices will record your route and speed, creating a permanent record of your activity.
This data is invaluable for analyzing your progress. There are even smartphone apps and smartwatches for running. However, the best solution depends on your running style and the type of tracker you use.
If you want to monitor your speed, choose an app that has an option for measuring your heart rate.
MapMyRun by Under Armour is a good option for a basic fitness app. It can link up with external heart-rate monitors for detailed workout details. With over 600 exercise activities, you can use this app for running.
It has a pause feature for running sessions, auto-saves your runs for later, and lets you play music while you run. The apps also help you set goals and track your progress.
Finding a running coach
If you’re new to running and are interested in developing your skills, you might consider looking for a running mentor. But how do you choose the right mentor?
The first step to finding a mentor is defining your goals. Once you have narrowed down your dreams, find role models who are in your line of work.
Then, you can find someone who shares these values. If you’re not sure what to look for in a mentor, here are some tips to make your search easier:
First, you should know what you want to achieve by working with a running coach or mentor. Your goals should be specific, both short-term and long-term. Make them SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound, and actionable.
Mentors can help you achieve these goals through their personal experiences. They can also be a valuable source of advice and support for you.
Once you find a suitable candidate, set up a meeting to talk about your goals. Be sure to introduce yourself to the potential mentor before asking for their help. This way, you will know if the person will be a good fit for you.
Remember, it takes time to build a mentor relationship. Moreover, be sure to discuss the role of the mentor with them informally. This will help you feel out whether they’ll be able to help you achieve your goals.
Remember that mentoring relationships have limits. Don’t expect too much from a mentor. Unless you are prepared to spend thousands of dollars, don’t expect him to give you free coaching.
Besides, it’s not realistic to expect a mentor to do your work for you. Mentors will provide you with valuable advice, but they won’t do the hard work for you. Besides, you’ll have to deal with disagreements.
Wearing the right running shoes
Buying the right shoes is one of the most important steps in your journey to becoming a regular runner. While the advice of friends and family is often helpful, it’s crucial to correct any problems with your running technique before deciding on the type of shoe you’ll wear.
In addition to following the general rules for running shoes, you’ll need to find a shoe with the proper arch and fit. A physical therapist, such as Andrew Walker, owner of PhysioWorks Sports and Wellness in San Diego, says that you should never choose a shoe based on a trend.
Choosing the right running shoe can be challenging because there are so many options. The type of shoe you choose depends on how often and far you plan to run.
While running shoes are popular for casual activity, experts recommend that you invest in a pair with a high-quality, durable sole that will protect your feet. In addition to making the running experience more comfortable, they will prevent injury.
Keeping your rate of perceived exertion low
The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) is a useful gauge of your body’s effort during endurance exercise. It is based on your rate of breathing, sweating, and feelings of fatigue.
Our bodies generate ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, to power our muscles during physical activity. These cells use various fuel sources known as substrates to generate ATP. Blood glucose is one such fuel source.
Alternatively, glycogen is stored in our muscle tissues and the liver. Both fuel sources are converted to glucose before entering the bloodstream.
Using the RPE scale to train at the right intensity will make the most of your training efforts. This scale is simple to use and allows you to adjust your training according to the terrain, weather, and fatigue levels you encounter while running.
You can use this method to gauge the intensity of a workout without the need for extra tech or field tests. However, if you don’t feel that your pace is high, you should consider using an alternative method to determine the rate of perceived exertion.
If your rate of perceived exertion is too high, contact a healthcare professional. The rate of perceived exertion is a subjective measurement that you should not rely on blindly. It is also important to note that the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale is not a medical device and should not be used in the place of a heart rate monitor.
Setting mini-goals
For beginners, setting mini-goals will be helpful. Work up to a mile without walking, then time-trial a few attempts before attempting the real marathon. Once you have done these, you can increase the mileage. Set a timer and make these goals each week. As you improve, you can aim to run three times a week. You may not be able to do it all at once, but you’ll feel better about it in the long run.
You can make mini-goals about any aspect of running. These can be specific improvements in pacing, a 5K time, or just making sure you get enough sleep. Often, small goals can build into big wins. Some minor elements of training, like stretching and warming up before training, can improve your overall fitness. These elements can be difficult to achieve, but if they’re part of your overall training plan, they can help you succeed.
For a beginner, running continuously for a short distance is hard, so setting a running goal is an excellent place to start. While it may not be a sprint, even a short distance can feel great! Whether you run to the end of your street or complete one lap of your local park, setting a running goal is a great way to start. As you progress, you can increase the distance and reward yourself for achieving it.
