So you want to
be a runner....
Awesome! But
before you get going, there’s a few things you need to do:
1) Check Yo-self
before You Wreck Yo-self.
How are your knees, ankles and heart? If
you answered anything but “Fine, thanks for asking!” you need to go to a doctor
and see if running is the right activity for you.
2) Get in Gear
Starting to run when you’re
really NOT a runner isn’t easy. The endorphins take a while to kick in. To make
the experience as comfortable as possible, make sure you have the right
sneakers. If your sneaks are old or if they aren’t running shoes, go to a store
and get some. Modell’s often has great sales on Nike’s. I love my Nike running
shoes, but I found that the laces are kind of lame and untie by themselves a
lot. After falling down and scraping my hand (why do bad things happen to good
people?), I replaced the laces with some that I got at Areopostle and they stay
tied nicely. Also, they’re sparkly, which is just added incentive to wear them.
But anyway, I’m not saying
you necessarily should get Nike shoes- what you ought to do is go to a sneaker
store/running-specific store (there is one in Rye, Westchester folk!) and talk
to a professional. They can hook you up with the right shoe, like Cinderella. (Or
if you’re a dude, Cinderello. Whatever.) They might be on the expensive side,
but you know that a) they’ll last a good while b) you’re less likely to get
injured.
3) Keep Track at
the Track
If you’re a total novice in the
running world, go to the track first. Warm up with a brisk walk and then start
jogging. Jog as long as you can and keep track of how many laps you did.
I started in June of 2009. At the
time, I could only jog half a lap at a time (one mile is four laps around the
track). When I absolutely felt like I was going to die, I’d walk and then start
jogging again when I could control my breathing. I would go about three times a
week and every week I was able to jog for longer periods of time. By the end of
the summer, I was jogging three miles at the track. By November, I was running
5 miles and competed in my first Turkey Trot (5 miles) and finished in 44
minutes!
4) Stay Hydrated
Bring a water bottle with you to
the track. If you decide to run elsewhere, get a camelback, carry your water bottle
with you, or know if there is a water fountain available on your path.
5) Wear
sunscreen.
‘Nuff said.
6) DON’T GIVE
UP!!!
When I was in high school, we had
to run a mile for the Presidential Fitness Test. It was brutal. I hated it. I’d
get all red and end up walking most of it out of rebellion. I think the best
time I got was just barely under ten minutes when I was in 11th grade
and it was zero fun for me. Now I run all the time. On purpose. And I LOVE it.
If I can become a runner, anyone can. Seriously, anyone (with good
knees/ankles/hearts).
If you take on running this year, let
me know how you’re doing!! Like my facebook page and send me a note!
Turkey Trot 11/22/09
