First let me say congratulations on wanting to take a step
into the running world. Running can look super intimidating, especially when
the news shows the winners of the Boston Marathon finishing in two hours. Uhhh
26.2 miles in 2 hours – BARF. But to be completely honest, professional runners
are the minority. Not many runners look like them at all, so don’t compare yourself,
I sure don’t. What I love about running, and the triathlon community, is that ANY
athlete can be a runner. You heard me, ANY! In my local running club, we come in
all shapes, sizes and speeds. We have runners doing 6 minute miles and we have
others running 12 minute miles, some do run/walk internals (yes, not all
runners RUN the entire time), some do short distance, some like long distance.
We are a diverse bunch of men and women, as young as mid-20s and some runners
well into their 60s. We are all walks of life, but one thing I will tell you is
we always have fun, never leave anyone behind and we’re your biggest cheerleaders.
I’ll talk about joining a run club in another post (because that is intimating
to some as well) but for right now lets talk about ways to just get you
started!
So you want to run, but you have NO IDEA where to start.
Here are a few suggestions I have to get you ready to rock n roll:
1. Find Your Local Running Store and Buy Shoes
Your local running store is the hub to your
local running community. They are your experts on gear, races, training, nutrition
and so much more. USE THEM! They love
seeing new faces and hearing the excitement of runners as they tackle their
next goal. But before you hit the pavement, it’s important you buy the right
shoe. I know running shoes can seem a little pricey (anywhere in the $90-$130
range) but trust me, you want good, proper fitting shoes. I know it’s tempting
to buy the Nike’s at Dick’s, but I’m sorry, they are crap with zero support.
Just like our running speed, everyone has different
feet. Some people need more cushion, some people like a flat sole, some prefer
a natural ride. SO MANY OPTIONS. And honestly, you starting out, you don’t know
what you need. That’s why we insert the local running store. They actually
watch you run on a treadmill to see your foot placement, how you land, take
proper measurements and get you fitted to what your body needs. It’s
incredible.
Lesson learned: My first marathon that I
ran (completely under trained) I wore a pair of old Nike sneakers that were
months old….long story short, I could not walk for more than a week and had to
go to Loyola every day wearing my evening slippers. They were the only thing
that fit and felt bearable. Never again.
Amanda’s recommendation: North Wales Running
Company, 111 N. Main Street, North Wales, Pa. (They also have a Phoenixville
location!)
You Need in Person Guidance
Some people like to train on their own, and
others prefer a group setting. There luckily are options for both to get you
started. If you think you’d like running with a group, meeting new friends and enjoy
one-on-one instruction, look into a local Couch to 5k program. For new runners,
this helps you ease into running, preparing you to run your first 5k race in 9
weeks. You start with run/walk internals building you up to run the entire 5k. Your
coach will cater to each athlete, making sure you’re on track to “graduate” at
the selected race.
Coach Carlee Myers is hosting
a local Couch to 5K and Beyond program locally in the Lansdale area beginning
on February 5 and having you ready to run Hatfield’s Five and Dime race on
April 14th in 9 forever changing weeks. Her program will include
guided training for the race, in addition to weight training as that is a vital
aspect to runners. Carlee is a personal
trainer in the Lansdale area and always looking to support the local running
community. Sign up details can be found in the graphic. When you register, be
sure to tell her Amanda Pic-Hall sent ya!
I Would Like To Try This Alone – But I’m Brand
New to Running
Kudos to you for tackling this journey alone.
When I started running, I started on my own as well. I ran solo for many, many
years before finding my run club. Most of my triathlon training is still done
alone. Sometimes you, your own breathing and getting in your own head is the
perfect medicine! So you’re new to running and you want to do this solo –
download the 5K Runner: Couch 2 5k
app. In 8 weeks, the app will get you ready to complete your first 5k race by
only training 3x per week for 30 minutes per day. The app is as simple as
opening it up and hitting start. The app will take you on a journey that
includes run/walk intervals, with your run intervals gradually increasing
throughout the weeks. If you get
started, please let me know so I can cheer you on. Accountability buddies are
the best – send me photos of proof. I can’t wait to see them.
I Would Like To Try This Alone – I have some
athletic background
You’re an athlete, you play in an adult
soccer league, you play flag football, you don’t think you need the “basic”
aspect of Couch to 5k – SWEET! There are options for you as well. Downlaod the
Nike Run Club app and there are “Guided Runs.” Use the Nike experts to help get
you to the next level in your training. It also tracks all of your mileage, times
and routes which allows you to go back and track your history.
Another option is using the free training programs
by Hal Higdon. I use him free training
programs for all of my marathons. Click here to find the best plan for you. I’m
a 6-time marathon finisher and have used him every time.
There is so much more I could write about this topic, but here
are four key tips to start. I am not a certified running coach, but I’m happy to
guide you in the right direction to get you into the running community. I hope
this encourages you to just START! Don’t start tomorrow, or next week, START TODAY!
Be sure to send me texts, tweets, instas, and snaps so I can be YOUR biggest
cheerleader.
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