Wednesday 26 August 2015

New to Running? Here's a few quick pointers

To all the new runners out there here's a couple of quick pointers....

1. Get proper running gear it's everywhere now from cheap to expensive, don't wear your heavy cotton track suits and hoodies. Also invest in a baseball hat (keeps the rain off your face) and a windcheater (keeps the sharp wind at bay) in the cold winter days.

2. Less is more! I know you might be looking out at a bleak blustery day but as you run your body temperature will go up and you'll start to melt wearing too much clothes and then you have to dump it or carry it.

3. Don't hold items in your hand like your mobile or water bottle as it can cause and contribute to shoulder rotation which is very hard to get rid of later when you realize your doing it. Get yourself a water belt and get used to it, you don't have to carry all bottles you can reduce it to two as long as they're balanced either side. You don't even have to fill them up fully. Otherwise you can put your bottle somewhere on your loop. But if you keep yourself nicely hydrated throughout the day and if you're running less than 50 - 60 minutes then you probably won't need water at all until after your run.

4. Use a short stride and a high cadence (SPM min 85 per stride or 170 for both) this will reduce heel strike and is more energy efficient.

5. Don't forget to use your arms! 

6.  Look straight ahead, not at the ground and not at the sky, just scan the path ahead.

7. Listen to your body, body sense what's going on while your running, don't overdo it especially in the early stages of running but don't be too easy on yourself too, set yourself targets!

8. The sooner you make running part of your lifestyle the sooner it becomes second nature and give yourself credit after your run for getting up and out there. Well done!


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