Your first run!

Your first run!

Running can be easy... It is all in the pace and technique.

Here are some basic tips to help you make the big transition from walk to run.

Why run? Simple, you burn more calories in the same amount of time and you increase your fitness. Run/jog 1km or walk 1km and the only variable that changes is time. You will always burn the same calories over the distance.

The trick is to start slow and do short distances to begin with. When I mean slow, slightly faster than walking pace is all you need.

Getting Fit

Running slow benefits you in a few ways. Firstly you don’t tax your lungs to much, it means you can jog longer, and mostly it will help condition the muscles and gain the technique you need to run. Conditioned athletes do this all the time to help them recondition and strengthen themselves, especially early in the off season.

How do we do this; set some realistic goals FOR YOU which might be jogging a block then walking the next block. Find a friend or a group at the same level and begin there. Time will fly when you train with others, it will be motivating you will push yourself harder and meet new people that will encourage you to train. Stick with it for a few weeks, the fitter you become the further you will go and the more you will be hooked. By just following these basic tips you will be jogging a couple of km’s and not even thinking about it.

Basic Technique

Run slow, look up, make sure your upper body is nice and relaxed. Don’t allow your arms to cross your body. If your arms move forwards not across the body it will make you more efficient. Do not lift your toes. When you are running this will only lead to sore shins and possible shin splits. NOT GOOD but common. These are some easy tips to get you on track, remember running should be easy and enjoyable. Just persist with the first few weeks.

Happy Running.