Ok be honest, how many of you made New Year's resolutions to get in better shape?
I didn't really make a resolution. However, despite the fact that we do a fairly intense workout up at work a couple of days a week, I've pretty much always struggled when it comes running. I'm slow, and to be perfectly honest I never really enjoyed it.
Well, I'm finally getting to the point where even though running is still not "fun" for me, I do actually look forward to getting out and just relaxing my mind for 45 minutes or so. Obviously I'm not any kind of an expert when it comes to running, so take the following advise for what it's worth. I just wanted to share a couple of things that have helped me improve my endurance and speed, and even lose body fat, over the past couple of months.
photo credit: Holton Gallery
- Get a good pair of shoes - In addition to giving your feet better support and cushion, a quality pair of shoes is also likely to have a psychological effect ... you've got fancy shoes, might as well get out and use them.
- Drink lots of water - This one was tough for me, because I pretty much drink diet Mt. Dew from sun-up to sun-down. Unfortunately, in addition to being a stimulant, caffeine is also a diuretic ... which means it may tend to dehydrate you ... which is not a good thing when you're drenched in sweat and 2 or 3 miles from you house.
- Run Every Day - Make yourself a promise that you will get some sort of a workout (even if it's just a quick 20 minute jog) every day ... no matter what. Don't give yourself a set "workout time". If something comes up, and you don't get your workout in at the prescribed time, you end up skipping a day ... which can easily become 3 days ... a week ... etc. Try to get your run over with as early in the day as possible. But if need be, I've been out for my run, literally after midnight on some days.
- Don't Cheat - This the last but not least, and most important tip. When you get out to run, and especially in the beginning when it's hard, every time you feel like stopping to walk, say or think to yourself: "I'm not going to stop, I'll only be cheating myself". And really, that's the truth. You want to improve. It will get easier with time and effort. However, if you don't put in a little bit of sweat equity, you'll never get to that point ... you'll have cheated yourself.
Well, that's what I've got for today. I'm just on my way out for a run (seriously, I'm not joking).
Catch up with you again soon ... til then, keep havin FuN!
Todd
Todd Morris
I used to run when I was younger and I remember that I set myself little goals, about the only time in my life I ever set goals, to run a little bit further every time I set out. Over time I was actually running several miles and doing it easily.
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I really want to start running on a regular basis. It is just that I find it so hard. I am not quite sure why I seem able to push myself so much harder on the treadmill than outside, but like your tip number 3 I guess I have to keep it up. I find saying to myself 'keep running, push through the pain' as I jog and it really helps.
Cool post! The best advice always comes from us amateurs! I’m not a professional runner either, but I do run throughout the year in spurts and try to run at least a bit each week. Love the “sweat equity”! Keep it up. You’ve just inspired me to go for the jog I was going to skip today…
~Chloe
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