"Baby, I was BORN to RUN!"

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 11^th 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