After three kids and, what feels like, centuries of life experience, I never pictured myself becoming a runner. Yet, I’ve run three races in the past six months and I’ve loved every minute of it (okay, not every minute but most of it!). You don’t have to look like you’re ready for the Olympics in order to start running. In fact, I doubt I could ever look like that but I do it anyway. It’s a great way to get your body moving and I find it really helps to clear my mind and manage stress. I thought about doing some of these new fun races several times but I didn’t know where to begin. It turns out that getting started is a lot simpler than I expected - I just had to commit.
It might seem like a no-brainer but so many people try to run without the proper shoes. You want something that has the right support for your foot and is designed to minimize the impact on your knees and other joints. Look for shoes that are intended for cross-training so that they have a little more versatility. While I encourage everyone to try whichever brands work best for them, I will say that I have struggled since childhood with finding comfortable footwear but Asics Gel running shoes never let me down. I’m always happy with them so, if you are at a loss, you may want to check out a pair.
Some people love shorts, others swear by track pants but I personally love wearing yoga pants or capris while I’m walking or running. You will have to test different things to see what works best for you. Of course, you will also need to plan for different types of weather, also.
When it’s warmer, you can get away with wear shorts or pants and a t-shirt. As the temperature drops, you will probably want to add a high-performance jacketdesigned for running. They are lighter and they protect you from moisture. I also really like having a jogging belt. It’s similar to a fanny pack since it allows you to carry your phone and other small items such as identification or money but it’s not nearly as bulky.
When it’s warmer, you can get away with wear shorts or pants and a t-shirt. As the temperature drops, you will probably want to add a high-performance jacketdesigned for running. They are lighter and they protect you from moisture. I also really like having a jogging belt. It’s similar to a fanny pack since it allows you to carry your phone and other small items such as identification or money but it’s not nearly as bulky.
Proper hydration is so essential to ensuring that your run is safe and healthy. This is especially important in warmer climates. As you sweat, you will need to replenish the fluids your body is losing so it’s important to carry a water bottle.
For those who find holding one in their hands cumbersome, there are bottles specifically designed for holding them while you run. Some even double as backpacks and have long tubes connecting them to shoulder straps so that you can grab the “straw” and take a sip when you need it.
For those who find holding one in their hands cumbersome, there are bottles specifically designed for holding them while you run. Some even double as backpacks and have long tubes connecting them to shoulder straps so that you can grab the “straw” and take a sip when you need it.
There are so many cool accessories available to runners today. The thing I see most commonly (and something I use on a regular basis) is the armband case cover for cell phones. It allows you to have your phone close and easily accessible during your run at all times which is convenient for listening to music and answering important phone calls. Of course, you will also want to buy a quality pair of earbuds. If you are concerned about not hearing what’s going on in your surroundings, you can find earbuds that allow you to listen to music (or calls) while simultaneously allowing you to hear ambient noise.
Something else that many runners are using are wristbands that connect to cell phones and allow you to monitor your speed, distance, heart rate and caloric burn, among other things. I really like the Fuelband which also tracks the intensity of your workout as well as sleep patterns.
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