Running Tips for Beginners
I love the movie Forest Gump. My favorite scene was where Jenny gave him some new running shoes, and then disappeared. The next day Forest decided to go for a run.
This is what Forest said in the movie: "That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road, and when I got there, I thought I would run to the end of town.
And when I got there, I thought maybe I would just run across Greenbow County, and I figured that since I run this far, maybe I would just run across the great state of Alabama. And this is just what I did, I ran clear across Alabama.
For no particular reason, I just kept going. I ran clear to the ocean, and when I got there, I figured since I have gone this far, I might as well just turn back, and keep on going.
When I got tired, I slept. When I got hungry, I ate. When I had to go, you know, I went.
My mama always said you have got to put the past behind you before you can move on. And I think that is what my running was all about. I had run for three years, two months, fourteen days, and 16 hours."
I believe the idea in the Forrest Gump movie was symbolized by the cardio and running phase in the 1970's. Since that time millions of Americans have put on their running shoes, and headed to the nearest trails, tracks, gyms or country roads just to run.
There are thousands of marathons that now take place every year, and running is one of the most popular exercises in the United States. You don't have to be like Forrest Gump and run for 3 years to get into shape. Most experts say that thirty to fourty five minutes today is a good cardio workout.
Running Tips for Beginners
How to get started?
Stretch before you run. Stretch your calves, quads, hamstrings, and your lower back. There is no evidence that stretching will prevent any injuries, but it does a body good, feels great, and that is a fantastic reason to stretch.
The simplest way to get started on running is to just get out there and do it. Here are some great tips:
- Start slowly, try running or jogging for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Pace yourself.
- If you get out of breath, then slow down, but keep moving.
- Try running for 5 minutes, and then walking for 5 minutes. This builds up your endurance.
Not everyone can start of jogging for 10 minutes, but that is ok, we all have a beginning point. You just need to keep going forward. The most important aspect is to just get started. You just need to be patience and pretty soon you will be running a mile.
Where should I run to?
The fantastic part about where you should run is that your legs can take you anywhere. This means you can run anywhere.
Here are some idea's of where you can run:
- A track or trail near where you live
- Run to another city, or to the end of town like Forest Gump
- Join a local running club
- Find a run buddy or jogging partner. Take your 4 legged friend for a run.
- Beaches are a great place to run, or go to some other scenic place to run.
Running can be a lot of fun if you find someone who will run with you, and help you stay motivated to keep you going forward.
I hope that these running tips help. These tips were meant for beginners, but they will also work for those who need a little more motivation to keep going. Running is simple, but you have to start slowly, even if you can only do a few minutes a day.
You will always build up overtime if you stick with it. The most important thing is to just get started. In one of the lyric lines in Bruce Springsteen's sons, he sings Baby, we were born to run. We recommend you try it, if running peaks your interest. Lets get on our running shoes and run!!