Running is the easiest form of exercise and is also quite fun right from the start. With earphones plugged in, listening to good music or podcast you love, there is nothing else one needs to exercise but just simply to get their butt of the couch and start running.
As you get past the inertia and move into running regularly, I found the following to be very handy.
- 1. Don’t ever run without stretching for at least 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the run. Stretching gives the much needed mini-excercise to our muscles and ligaments that help us have a more enjoyable run. If your body starts to pain half-way through the run, I can bet you that is because of inadequate stretching. I have run 2 marathons a few other half-marathon and 10k runs and not once did i have to stop running because of muscle cramps or such things as I always make sure that I stretch for 20 minutes before any such long runs and I stretch for another 10 to 20 minutes after the run is complete.
- 2. Carry a small water bottle with you or at least a couple of dollars on you – In case you don’t like carrying anything, those 2 dollars can save your life, hop into a corner store and buy a bottle of water to quench your thirst and properly nourish yourself.
- 3. Don’t carry wallets, keys etc when running – they are such a pain and distraction when running, if you absolutely must carry them look for a fuel belt kind of gadget that you can put around your waist and carry stuff in it
- 4. If you are running long, don’t look or think too far ahead – simply put one foot in front of the other and keep on. Thinking of how much more to run or looking at the giant uphill that’s coming up in a few feet will not only hurt your psyche but also brings in negative energy, you don’t need that. If anything, all you need is positive energy and the fact that you’re putting one foot in front of the other and making progress towards the finish line.
- 5. Try to develop a rhythm – rhythm is crucial for runners. It should be your own rhythm, a speed at which you feel comfortable but not too comfortable, challenged but not too challenged.
- 6. Set a goal for the run – Our mind is a goal seeker. So set a goal before you start the run, it may be to finish the entire loop around your neighborhood, it may be to go all the way to the town library and back or it may be to run for 30 minutes non-stop. Whatever may be the goal, it’s just easier to run with a goal in mind.
- 7. Enjoy it. If you don’t find a way to enjoy the run, you won’t do it for long, so find a way to enjoy it. I personally just enjoy putting one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward but I also think up a lot of ideas that I could use in my business or life while running. Whatever works for you, do it.
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