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- Photo: Ed Yourdon / Flickr
Regular exercise gives you more energy, reduces your risk of heart disease, helps you manage stress better, and is great for weight loss. Running is an excellent calorie burner, but it’s not as easy to start running as it is to start walking or swimming. You need to know a little bit about running before you put on your running shoes and hit the open road. Here are our five top tips for beginner runners.
1: Have your health checked
If you’re very overweight, haven’t exercised in a long time, or suffer from any health conditions, make a trip to the doctor before you start running. People with heart problems, chronic fatigue, breathing problems, and anyone over the age of 40 should have a check-up before starting a running programme.
2: Get the right gear
Running in the wrong shoes can lead to injuries. If you have a very high arch or flat feet, it may be a good idea to see a podiatrist who can help you make the best choice when it comes to running shoes. If you have no problems with your feet, sales personnel at a sports shop should be able to give you the guidance you need.
3: Walk before you run
The best way to start running is to start walking. Try a walk/run exercise programme where you alternate running with walking, slowly building up your fitness until you no longer have to walk. About.com has a great 30-day walk/run programme they’ll send straight to your inbox, free of charge.
4: Listen to your body
- Photo: Ed Yourdon / Flickr
Running is hard work, and can make you feel tired and sore. To an extent, this is normal, and nothing to be worried about. If you’re experiencing a lot of pain, though, you need to give your body a rest. There’s no benefit to exercise if it’s hurting your body.
Tip 5: Reward yourself
It can be hard to stay motivated to stick with an exercise programme, so reward yourself when you reach milestones. A milestone could be managing to run for a full 30 minutes, or losing weight. Consider getting yourself a running shirt, a book on an inspiring runner, or a heart rate monitor. In no time you’ll have all the accessories and knowledge you need to help make you a better runner.
Here’s to your health!
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