Where do I start?
Both of us have only recently took up running. We have both been athletes all of our lives, participating in sports such as soccer and crew. Our love for running first began in the summer of 2007. When we first began running we found that it was very challenging for us. It was difficult to run one to two miles at a time. As our interest in running grew, we learned a ton about how to improve our running. This section is for those of you who are just getting into running, thinking about getting into running, or those that think that you are not capable of running but wish you were.
If you are new to running, it is important to recognize where you are coming from. Everyone is different and are generally starting at different points. Some of you may be a few years out from competing as a varsity athlete, others may be completely new to fitness, and some may be returning to fitness after a considerable amount of time off.
If you are starting at square one, a great method to use is the run/walk method. Jeff Galloway is the run/walk method guru. In our opinions, we believe that this method is the best method for those of you who are new to running and trying to increase your endurance or fitness. If you fall under this category, click here to check out Jeff Galloway’s philosophy of the run/walk method. Basically it is a program that involves walking and running intervals.
If you are starting to run but you have a background in fitness, you may feel that you are ready for a more advanced method. It is really important to educate yourself about running because you do not want to do too much too soon or you will risk injury. There is a ton of information out there to get you started. Our favorite source of information comes from Hal Higdon. We have used multiple plans by Hal Higdon including his Novice I, Novice II, Advanced I, and his Boston Bound marathon training programs. Check out his site to see his other plans including those for the 5K, 8K, 10K, 15K, half marathon, marathon, and triathlons. Hal Higdon also has a lot of training information available online about stretching, nutrition, and other running information. If you are training for a marathon, we highly recommend Hal’s book, Marathon. Another wonderful all-around running book is The Competitive Runner’s Handbook.
When first starting out, it may be a good idea to select a goal race. If this is your first race, we recommend selecting a 5k. If you are looking for a specific 5K training program, Hal Higdon has 8-week 5K training programs for Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced runners.
There are others out there besides Hal Higdon as well. Hal Higdon just happens to be our favorite.
Others include:
