8 Of The Internet’s Best Tips For Getting Started When You’re Not A Runner
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I speak from experience when I say running is daunting. It’s easy to say you’re “just not a runner” — maybe you’re like me and have weak shin bones, or maybe you just can’t dedicate the time to running regularly.
While the running ability of Junkee staffers is questionable at best, we know the internet like the backs of our hands. So, while 2019 is still ripe for the fulfilment of New Year’s resolutions, we’ve rounded up eight tips that will have you crushing Nike’s Go More, Get More running challenge in no time.
#1 Start With A Goal
It’s hard to stay motivated when you’re just starting out, so a great way is to set a goal that might seem challenging, but is actually easily achievable if you chip away at it over time. That way, you have something to work towards and a prize to keep your eye on when things start getting tough.
The Nike+ Run Club app has some great goal-oriented programs, and if you’re looking to win some goodies while you’re racking up those kilometres, the Go More, Get More challenge is the perfect way to tick both boxes.
#2 Find A Playlist That Makes You Want To Move
There’s a whole bunch of reasearch that suggests slapping on some tunes while you work up a sweat does wonders. Spend some time crafting the perfect playlist that balances high beats per minute and lots of sound with some slower-paced stuff for your breaks and cool-downs. Or, let the folks at Nike do the work with their huge range of running playlists on Spotify.
#3 Get Your Gear Together The Night Before
Laying out your threads and running shoes is an easy way to motivate you in the morning, when heading outside and exercising is likely the last thing on your mind. While the benefits of running in the morning or the evening are up to personal preference, there’s no better feeling than getting your exercise done and dusted so you can spend the rest of the day feeling energised.
#4 The More You Run, The Stronger You Get
There are so many kinds of exercise we’re told we should be doing, it can be hard to know what to focus on. Running has lots of benefits for your overall health and strengthens your muscles, heart and bones, so it’s useful no matter what your fitness goals are. The more you run, the greater your strength and fitness levels become and, as an added bonus, the better your mental health will be.
#5 Mix It Up
When you’re just starting out with running, the last thing you want is to get bored. It’s important to introduce a lot of variety in your workouts to keep things interesting for your brain and your body. Switching up your routes is one way, but mixing up the way you run can help work out your body in new ways, too. Think sprints, long runs, and hills.
For something a little different to keep you busy on your long runs, the Nike+ Running Club app has some neat audio-guided runs that can keep you focused. Better yet, the have a special collaborative playlist with Headspace that is sure to keep you relaxed and your mind clear while you run.
#6 Rest When You Need It
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When you’re still getting used to running regularly, it can feel like even one day off will ruin everything. No matter your fitness level, it’s important to listen to your body and take a break if you think you need one. Rest days are vital for recovering muscle strength and energy, so it’s beneficial to think of them as “repair days”. As long as you get back into a rhythm soon, you won’t lose any progress. It’s like jazz — sometimes it’s all about the kilometres you don’t run.
#7 Run For Yourself
If you’re running with friends or follow people who are avid runners, it’s easy to feel inadequate — especially when you’re just starting out. The important thing to remember is that everyone has to start somewhere and that a kilometre is a kilometre, no matter how long it takes.
#8 Stick With It
At times, it might feel like you’re not making a lot of progress and a bad run can make you feel like giving up. Running is all about keeping consistent and recognising your victories, however small. While running a few Ks might seem impossible now, before you know it, you’ll be smashing through your goals like nobody’s business.
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(Lead image courtesy of Nike)
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Ready to start running? Join Nike’s Go More, Get More challenge today!