I run.....

 

I'm slower than a turtle

stampeding through peanut butter....

 

But I run!!

 

 

 

What makes a runner anyways? Do you have to have run a marathon? Do you have to run everyday? Do you have to be able to run over one mile?

 

Do you run?

 

Below are some great tips to help get you started. With spring right around the corner road races are being to fill up and now is the perfect time to begin a new fitness goal!

 

1. First, gradually increase a gentle walk to 30 minutes. This can be done every day or every other day.

 

2. Then, insert segments of 5-10 seconds of running, every 1-2 minutes, every other day. If you want to exercise every day, walk only on the day between run-walks, otherwise, use it as a rest day. If all is well after three or four sessions, increase the running segments by five additional seconds each week. When you are able to comfortably run for 30 seconds and walk for 60 seconds, gradually decrease the walking amount by five seconds each week.

 

3. It is important to be regular with your run-walk—about every other day.

 

4. If you experience pain, inflammation or loss of function in the feet or legs, stop the run immediately. With the right (conservative) amount of walking, you can reduce injury risk down to zero.

 

5. To prepare for a 5K (3.1 miles), increase the distance of one of your run-walks each week by 5-10 minutes per week. Keep the ratio of running to walking (run 10 seconds/walk 50 seconds). When you have covered four miles on your long one, you are ready for a 5K.

 

6. To prepare for a 10K, increase the distance of the long run every other week by 10 minutes. On the shorter long run weekend, you can cover half of the distance of your current long run. When you have covered seven miles on the long run, you are ready for a 10K.

 

7. Don’t drink or eat very much before a run. Eating 100-200 calories of simple carbohydrate after a strenuous run will speed up the reloading of muscle fuel for your next run.

 

8. Run and walk slowly enough that you can carry on a conversation—even at the end. If you’re huffing and puffing, you went too fast.

 

9. Slow down and walk more when it’s hot. If you have increased the short runs to 30 sec run/30 sec walk, on a hot day you should run 15 sec/walk 30 seconds. The best time to run/walk on hot days is before the sun gets above the horizon.

 

10. Find ways to enjoy every run! Run with friends, make a personal goal and reward yourself for it with a fun fitness purchase - new shoes, new shorts, new head phones etc.

 

 

One last inspirational running quote:

No matter how fast or slow, a mile is still a mile!