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Running Guide For Beginners
Tom Huelin (BSc) is a Sports Scientist, Exercise Coach and Conditioning Specialist from Berkshire in the UK. In this article Tom takes you through a comprehensive guide to running for beginners. These ten top tips will ensure you achieve your fitness goals and get the best out of your training program.
Running is a very popular physical activity enjoyed by many. Running is great exercise for the heart and lungs and is an effective calorie burner. This helpful running guide has everything you need to know before you start running.
1. Enjoyment - Only start running if you enjoy it. It is very common for people to go running just to keep fit. You will find running far more rewarding if you enjoy it.
2.Footwear - Different people have different running styles and this is referred to as ‘gait’. A running specialist will perform a ‘gait analysis’ in order to prescribe a shoe with appropriate support and cushioning.
3.Terrain - The surface on which you chose to run on will determine the type of running shoe you require. Trainers with an aggressive tread pattern are most effective when training on uneven and rough terrain.
4.Find a friend - Exercising alone can be boring so why not run with a friend or family member? This can increase motivation and enjoyment.
5.Training - Training is vital for runners of all ages and levels. An effective training program will ensure you achieve your targets and goals.
6.Goal setting - Goal setting is another important component of training. Goals should be specific to you, measurable, achievable and set over an appropriate period of time.
7.Nutrition - A healthy balanced diet is essential for anybody taking regular physical activity. A combination of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) is essential both for training and competition.
8.Join a club - If your serious about running and you want to train with like-minded people then you should consider joining a local running club. Clubs usually organise their own races and provide coaching.
9.Competition - If you wish to measure yourself against other runners why not enter local races and events. This will provide you with a serious goal and give your training program extra significance.
10.Overtraining - It is common for sports people, especially runners to suffer from exercise addiction and overtraining. These are psychological conditions associated with individuals not taking enough rest between training sessions and therefore becoming unwell. It can take years to recover from overtraining so as much as you might love to run doesn’t let it become an obsession.