Spring is here.
To be fair, this morning we awoke to 37 degree weather.
But after today, Spring is here.
Swimming season is upon us. Start your diet and exercise now.
Gym memberships are great but can be expensive. Buying workout equipment often ends in disappointment. Those of you who purchased treadmills in January know what I mean.
Cross-fit and sports are good exercise alternatives for those who bore easily, however; those options aren’t free.
Running is free. I’ve got five tips for runners from experts to beginners.
Here is our guide to running. Enjoy.
1. Set a Goal
If you want to start running and you leave yourself with a nebulous goal such as “losing weight” or “running a race eventually” you are setting yourself up for failure. Find a 5k or half marathon to work towards. In my case, I started running in college before a 5k. Later on, I worked towards a half-marathon and a canyon 10k with elevation changes and bad footing.
2. Understand your strengths and limitations.
I’m a fairly large guy. Over 6’0 and north of 200 pounds. I’m probably not going to win a marathon anytime soon. I do possess a good burst. 5k’s are in my sweet spot. If you start running with the goal of becoming an olympic class distance runner, you may set yourself up for failure before you start. If you are large (weight or height or both) and tend to err on the slow side, running a marathon might be in your wheelhouse because speed matters less than endurance and endurance is teachable. Speed really isn’t.
3. Get Good Gear.
If you look good, you feel good. I have the palest of pale thighs. Short running shorts are weird for me. I usually stick to longer shorts and flashy shoes and shirts. If you have good legs, rock those bad boys. Get fitted for shoes for your running style. Trust me…you will thank me later. Good shoes help avoid shin splints and foot injuries. Most stores have treadmills where you can run for a shoe fitter. My shoes generally last me several hundred miles. That 50-100 mile range is where you really break in your shoes. Minimalist shoes or heavily padded shoes are all fine. Get fitted and dress for the weather. Hint: dress for a temperature 20 degrees above what you are running in. For example, if the weather is 50 degrees, dress for a perfect 70 degree day. If the weather is in the 80’s, make sure you pack hydration goodies like water and running gel or snacks, because you’ll feel like you are running in 100 degree weather eventually. I personally like to listen to podcasts and audiobooks while I run. Maybe you like a rock playlist for an energy boost. Test out different routines. Motivation matters.
4. Play Psych Games With Yourself.
Various studies show that runners tend to run faster with fancy and flashy shoes. Get a new outfit and you will find yourself putting up great times for a few days. New headphones have the same effect on me. Pretend you are being chased by spies or zombies. You can download apps to hep with this. I like to pretend I am racing against a rival or running in the dome at the Olympics when I need to push. Yes, this is weird. No, I don’t mind the ridicule. It works.
5. Finish the Race.
When I first started running, I couldn’t finish a mile without a walk break. A diet of burritos and Dr. Pepper isn’t great for distance training. If you need help eating right, check out our diet guides on the site or visit awesome sites like Eat This Not That or the New York Times recipe page. Once I started running and walking, I was able to up my goal each day. Whether you win your 5k by several seconds or barely finish a mile, you need to finish your goal. If you pay for the race, buy the gear, and put in the work, reward yourself with a cheat meal after the race. I loved eating Pizza after a 5k or half-marathon. Reward yourself then reset and work towards something bigger and better,
Spring is here. Get outside. Rational people exercise.
Stay rational.