If you’ve been thinking about becoming a runner for a while, let me be the first to congratulate you on your decision to give this crazy running thing a try!
First of all, let’s take a look at why you might consider taking up running:
- You have a friend who runs and it seems like a fun thing to do
- You want to get fit
- You want to lose weight
- You want an excuse to get out of the house alone and away from your screaming children for an hour a day
- You’ve had a recent health scare and your doctor told you to get some exercise
- You want an excuse to spend more time outside
- You remember how fun and freeing it was to run when you were a child
- You read running blogs and have decided that you must join this cool group of people
The great thing about running is that you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to try it out. Sure, you can spend lots of money on cute little matchy-matchy outfits made out of the latest wick-away fabrics, but you don’t need to buy any of that until you’re sure that running is the sport for you. When I first started running, I ran in Converse canvas sneakers! I’m not suggesting you try that, I’m just pointing out that you don’t need to buy $120 running shoes for what could be your first and only run.
Once you’ve gone on a few runs and fallen madly in love with the sport (which I’m sure you will), then you can worry about the equipment. I highly recommend that you go to a reputable running store to get fitted in the right shoes for you. Now that you’re committed, you can buy those cute little running outfits. Target is one of my favorite places to shop for affordable running clothes. I usually treat myself to one or two items from the running store and sporting goods store, but I always check to see what Target has, too.
After you’re geared up in your cool florescent running clothes, you’ll want a running plan. It can be as simple as scheduling your run on your calendar so that life doesn’t get in the way. You can set goals for times and distances, or you can fly by the seat of your pants and just get out there and run! The key is just that – get out there, run, and
have fun!
So you’re all excited and running on the days you have scheduled, feeling like you’ve got this running thing down, and then it happens… Winter comes, or it rains for a week, or you go on a business trip, or you get sick, or something else gets in the way of a couple of runs, and you’re not running anymore! What’s a girl with expensive running shoes, cool hot pink running shorts, and a fancy high-tech running bra to do?
Devise a plan to get you back on the running trails:
- Find a running buddy
- Sign up for a local race
- Write down specific running goals and dates to accomplish them
- Join a running group
- Download a running app on your smartphone
- Read running articles online to learn new running tips
- Encourage your spouse or significant other to start running so it becomes a part of your family’s routine
Hopefully with these tips, you’ll become the runner you want to be! Good luck, have fun, and get out there and run!
Edited note: Click here to read Becoming A Runner, Part 2
- Questions:
- Did you like the running events in the President’s Physical Fitness tests in PE when you were in school?
- Do you run regularly or occasionally?
- What’s the silliest excuse you’ve used to skip going out on your run?
Great tips! TJ Maxx and Marshalls are also great places to shop for workout gear.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Venus de Miles recap
Good point – I just got a cute tank from one of those two stores this spring.
Great tips! I hated running in HS. I wish I could go back and crush those Pres fitness tests now
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…How Do You Stay Strong?
I would love to go back and get a “do-over” with the flexed arm hang! 😀
All great tips 🙂
Don’t forget to body glide! Boy did I get chafed on my first few runs. Wal – Mart has some surprisingly decent wicking tops and shorts too if you have someone who doesn’t need to be overwhelmed by cost.
Karen recently posted…Be Good To Your Body
Good points! I got two really cute long-sleeved tops at Walmart for my winter workout wardrobe.
I was excused from PE for all of my school years. I never went to gym class,,,never dressed out for PE. Believe it or not, I think it was because I had such horrible growing pains in my legs, but my parents are both gone and I don’t honestly know why.
HoHo Runs recently posted…75 Days
Wow! Look how far you’ve come!
Great tips, Debbie! I agree 100% that it’s good to work with a local running store. They often have a great return policy, you’re shopping local, their expertise is priceless, and (at least at Run Flagstaff) their prices are very much the same as you’d pay on Amazon for the same shoe at regular price.
[email protected] recently posted…Beginnings
Thanks, Stephanie! We have two running stores that I love. One is 100% local, and the other is part of a national chain, but you would never know it when you walk into their store. Both have very competitive prices and treat their customers very well with options for discounts.
Oh yes, I remember the presidential physical fitness test! I also remember that daggone “pacer” test where we had to run across the basketball court in the gym with a decreasing amount of time to make it across. Whew! Hmmmm the silliest excuse to not go out on a run….. I think one time I skipped a run because my Garmin was not charged. Eeek! That is a serious runfession right there 🙂
Meagan recently posted…Prepare for Takeoff
If it’s okay, I’m adding your runfession to my nest linkup on August 28. I’m soliciting from my MRTT friends this time, and since you’re now a member of our MRTT team, you qualify!
[…] Monday I posted Becoming a Runner, Where Should You Start? I wrote about the reasons you might consider taking up running, buying (but not buying too […]