Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Topics. This week’s Tuesday Topic: what are your tips for beginner runners? You can write about this or any running related topic. Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post.
At one point, we were all beginner runners. When I first started running, I didn’t personally know anyone else that was a runner. Eventually I was able to connect with other runners through blogs and social media, but the first few months of running, actually the first year, was a lot of trial and error. Here are a few things that I wish I knew as a beginner runner.
Slowly build up your miles I think every new runner is guilty of this, especially if you’re not following a training plan. It’s easy to rev up the miles too soon, which can result in injury or runner burnout.
Stop the comparison game It’s VERY easy to fall into this trap, especially if you follow a lot of runners on social media. What I failed to remember when I started running is that everyone is on their own journey and what works for one person won’t necessarily work for you.
Rest is important You know the feeling of a runner’s high? I felt like I would get that each time I ran a little further. Of course this meant that I wasn’t taking time off from running to rest. I was running everyday which I found didn’t really work for me – my legs don’t appreciate running every day.
Get properly fitted for sneakers This is probably my #1 tip for new runners. At first, I purchased sneakers in my exact shoe size and based on if I liked the color/design. Both were big mistakes. I later learned that it was wise to size up for sneakers to give your toes enough space (I think this is why I’ve never lost a toenail). Also I started to have so much pain in my legs from wearing the wrong type of sneakers. When I learned I needed sneakers with more stability/support, it made a huge difference.
Speaking of sneakers, I have been patiently waiting for these gorgeous ones to go on sale for months. I may just end up paying full price (which I hate to do) because I want them so badly!
Tell me: What are some of your top tips for beginner runners?
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Deborah Brooks says
You know, I think these are great tips for beginner runners and fantastic reminders for all of us. It is easy to get a little cocky and forget the basics. That is how many injuries happen! Great reminders. Super cute shoes enjoy them 🙂
kookyrunner says
For sure! Every now and then I remind myself of these tips, especially since I haven’t done long distance runs in a while.
Darlene says
All great tips.
I posted mine last week.
It’s important also to not worry about finish times and enjoy running.
Hey that’s important also for older runners too.
kookyrunner says
Yes! So important about not focusing on the time. I was really obsessed with always trying to PR early on in my running days. Now I look back at that and feel so silly for focusing on it way too much.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
These are all great tips, Kim! Those shoes are so cute. I almost always buy my running shoes on sale, though, which usually means they’re not so cute.
kookyrunner says
Haha same here! I normally just get whatever style/color is on sale (as long as it’s not too hideous).
Kimberly Hatting says
Ooooh, I have bot not seen t hose Adrenalines! We may have to do a #KimTwin move and get them LOL My first several pairs of shoes were “off the rack” because I didn’t know better…but I started off cautiously (running low mileage and running only every-other day) so the toenail issues didn’t plague me until I got the courage to run longer distances and increase my mileage. But, yes, the right shoes made a huge difference when I wised up. I’m really thankful social media was non-existent in my early days, or it would have probably messed with my confidence.
kookyrunner says
Aren’t those sneakers so cool? I may need to break down and buy them if they aren’t on sale by next month lol.
Catrina says
Slowly build up your miles! That’s a great one, Kim.
When I started running in the 90s social media wasn’t a big thing and I wasn’t in a running club, so I just did what I thought was best. This meant that I overdid the running part and did no cross-training … and ended up injured.
I hope new runners will heed your tips!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Catrina. That’s definitely such an important one. I kept getting minor injuries years ago because I was focused too much on running and not on strength training.
Black Knight says
Great tips!
When I started my running life I made many mistakes: wrong clothes, wrong shoes, too many miles during the first workouts. too fast at the start of the races ecc.
Later I learned that lesson even if I keep on finding difficult to listen to my body!
kookyrunner says
Ahhh yes, I have also made the wrong clothes mistake a few times when I first started running.
San says
Great tips, Kim. It’s so easy to compare yourself to others (on IG) and we have to constantly remind ourselves that a bit of healthy competition is ok, we’re all on our own journeys!
Those new Brooks look awesome! 🙂
kookyrunner says
As much as I love social media, I always have to remind myself to not compare myself to others!
Virjinia @ With Purpose and Kindness says
Building up miles is huge! I was guilty of this. I quickly learned that running more than three days in a row is a no-no for me. Rest is important and very easy to ignore!
kookyrunner says
Yup, same here! When I tried to do a run streak I quickly realized that daily running was not good for me.
Zenaida Arroyo says
Those are cute shoes! I would wait because eventually they will go on sale. Similar tips to mine but I agree on the comparison game. It is very tempting to do but very bad to do as well.
kookyrunner says
Yes I want to wait, but then I’m afraid they won’t have my size available – ugh! Decisions, decisions, lol
Jenny says
I started running in high school, and there wasn’t all the information that we have available today. I was following advice from a book I got from the library called “Marathon Mom” (it was the only book geared towards females.) I definitely didn’t follow all your pieces of advice here, but luckily I was young enough to get away with some poor decisions! All beginning runners should definitely follow your advice- they’ll be much better off!
kookyrunner says
I ran one season of track in high school and hated it, primarily because I had no clue what I was doing! I wish they had resources available to student athletes.
Michelle D. says
Yes to all of these tips! I always tell people to run for themselves – the minute you get caught up in what someone else is doing it quickly becomes a slippery slope.
And those shoes! OMG I had seen those before – love them!
kookyrunner says
Yup, exactly! You have to run for yourself or else running really becomes miserable and no fun at all.