Tips for The Beginning Runner

There are three certainties in life – death, taxes, and the continual emergence of new fitness trends! From CrossFit to hot yoga to P90X to Tae Bo to [whatever’s coming next], there is always some hot, new program people will sell you on to stay fit.

Of course, fitness classics tend to be classics for a reason – they work! And given our ancestral history as humans, it really doesn’t get much more “classic” than running.

Done correctly—and it’s pretty hard to mess up once you’ve gotten the hang of it—running is an excellent fitness choice. You can burn calories, improve your cardiovascular performance, and even relieve stress by starting a running program.

We want you to be in the best possible shape, and stay safe in the process, so we’ve compiled some valuable tips for beginning runners. These include:

• As with any endeavor in life, your beginning runner program should start with a plan. Take time and establish realistic, specific goals and milestones so you can see your progress.
• The planning stage is important because many new runners either burn out or hurt themselves by trying to do too much, too soon. Be realistic in your planning and prepare for a gradual progression in frequency, duration, and intensity of your workouts.
• No matter what you do in life, it is imperative that you have the right tools to approach the task. Running does not require a lot, but the tools it does—clothing and shoes—are necessary for ensuring your health. When you buy running shoes, do so at a store that caters to runners and ask for assistance. With regard to clothing, stick with fabrics that wick away moisture and keep you comfortable.
• Warm up before you run with a few minutes’ worth of easy jogging and then thoroughly stretch your legs.
• If your car has little-to-no gas in the tank, it won’t take you very far. Well, your body is the same way. Your tank needs to be filled in advance with proper nutrients that will provide the energy you need for your run. The key with this tip is timing. You don’t want to eat too soon before running, but a 100-200 calorie snack an hour before your run will do the trick.

As a beginning runner, it’s particularly important to listen to your body. Understand the difference between simply being sore after a run and being in pain from an injury that needs medical care. If you feel anything other than a little tired or sore the day after running—and especially if you have sharp or intense pain—it is worth seeking a professional opinion.

We hope you are able to stay safe and injury-free, but don’t hesitate to contact Premier Podiatry Group if you have pain from running. We’ll diagnose the problem and then create a treatment plan to address it for you. Call us at (814) 472-2660 to schedule an appointment with our Ebensburg, PA office, or take advantage of our online form right now to contact us.