7 must-knows when you start out running!

Published by kellypuffer on

But wait, just before you go off running, we want you to know our 7 top tips. They are the most important things we wish we knew when starting out running.

So go on, read on – it’ll take you just 4 minutes, 37 seconds. You’ll save a bundle of time in the long run from injuries, spending money on physiotherapy, and you may even find running more fun than you had initially thought.

1. New Trainers?

No? Ok, step back indoors, grab that purse and head off to your nearest running shop before you do anything else. Why? Because without the right trainers, running is not going to be fun. Think pain, injuries and the possible embarrassment of slipping because your trainers have lost grip!

It can be fun, you just need those cinderella trainers that will be perfect for you. There are many trainers, but you need to make sure they are designed for running and not the fashion ones! There are so many different designs made for specific styles of running, feet shape, and budgets. It’s overwhelming, so we go to a running store that helps analyse your running technique, your posture, and your feet. You can try a few on and test them out on a running machine too.

So go and feel comfortable and confident in your trainers!

2. Keep track

So you bought your trainers a couple of years ago and they still look good as new? Don’t be deceived. Sometimes even sparkling trainers don’t always mean they’re up for the job!

We both had injuries on our running journeys until we found out that it was most probably because we were wearing old, worn-out trainers. So, save yourself on physiotherapy costs and make sure your trainers haven’t passed their sell-by-date! We register our new shoes on the Garmin app, put 600k as a max. distance and we can then forget about calculating when we need to change them. Garmin does the work 🙂 See how to track gear on Garmin. 

There’s a ton of apps that do this, even free ones such as Strava.

3. Hungry? Don't eat.

Maybe it’s a natural human instinct to think that we need food before going out for a run.  We need the nutrients and energy to run, right? You have realised that you have hardly drunk anything all day. Ok, that’s not good, but if you’re about to go for a run, now is not the time to put it right! You’re only going to waste time getting ready, step out the door, and 5 minutes into the run you feel sick and head back home. 

We usually are ok if we eat a small snack like rice cakes and honey at least 45 minutes before our run. We avoid eating big portions at least an hour and a half before a run. Everyone is different, so it’s best to get to know what your own body can handle, but know that eating just before you’re about to slip on those running shoes, you’ll probably going to have an uncomfortable session.

4. Take Small Strides

One thing we have been taught recently is that smaller, shorter steps are better.  The less contact time your feet have on the ground, the less risk of injury. 

It’s easier said than done because it’s almost automatic to think that to run faster you must run with bigger strides – but STOP! Do the opposite and just see how this improves your running efficiency.

Your steps can be measured by a sports watch – it gives you a cadence reading which is the number of times each foot touches the ground in a minute. We try to keep our cadence at around the recommended 180 steps per minute (spm).

5. No pain, You Gain!

Ok, it’s not usually what you hear. We know how the saying goes really “no pain, no gain.” You should actually think of it more like “no pain, I gain…so keep it going.”  Why?

Because, if we are talking a little technical as we focus on training based on your heart rate zones, research suggests that working in zone 2 (ie. at a talking state) will be where you should concentrate on most – whether you want to lose weight or get fitter and faster! If you’re interested to find out more here, we like this youtube TED talk by Stephen Seiler: How “normal people” can train like the worlds best endurance athletes

What is more important is doing it regularly and sticking at it. That’s where we have both really seen the results.

6. Don't trust the watch

So many watches now, including ours, have the heart rate sensor embedded into the watch itself.  This is great for many things, however, for training purposes, we can’t rely on them. There is always a day or two (with each watch we’ve purchased) when we forget our chest straps, and we have seen how different the readings from the watch sensor are to that of the chest strap. They can also show erratic numbers, jumping around, so if you’re trying to follow your HR zones, it’s almost impossible!

It’s important to know also that if you intend to stay in a specific heart rate zone, you may be working so much harder (or not hard enough) than you should be. So in our opinion, if you’re going to start training following HR zones, we would recommend investing in an HR monitor chest strap.

7. Running is about efficiency

When you run, you want to run effortlessly (well, seem like it anyway!)  So pop on those new cinderella trainers, and head out, feel relaxed in the upper body, and think that you want to move forward.  It seems silly, but one great lesson we have learned is to consciously think about putting your energy into moving forward and be aware when you feel you are jumping up and down too much.

Even your arm movement should feel like it’s helping you with this forward motion, whilst at the same time feeling relaxed. We think these are some of the most important tips to discover how enjoyable running really is!

But wait, just before you go off running, we want you to know our 7 top tips. They are the most important things we wish we knew when starting out running.

So go on, read on – it’ll take you just 4 minutes, 37 seconds. You’ll save a bundle of time in the long run from injuries, spending money on physiotherapy, and you may even find running more fun than you had initially thought.

1. New Trainers?

No? Ok, step back indoors, grab that purse and head off to your nearest running shop before you do anything else. Why? Because without the right trainers, running is not going to be fun. Think pain, injuries and the possible embarrassment of slipping because your trainers have lost grip!

It can be fun, you just need those cinderella trainers that will be perfect for you. There are many trainers, but you need to make sure they are designed for running and not the fashion ones! There are so many different designs made for specific styles of running, feet shape, and budgets. It’s overwhelming, so we go to a running store that helps analyse your running technique, your posture, and your feet. You can try a few on and test them out on a running machine too.

So go and feel comfortable and confident in your trainers!

2. Keep track

So you bought your trainers a couple of years ago and they still look good as new? Don’t be deceived. Sometimes even sparkling trainers don’t always mean they’re up for the job!

We both had injuries on our running journeys until we found out that it was most probably because we were wearing old, worn-out trainers. So, save yourself on physiotherapy costs and make sure your trainers haven’t passed their sell-by-date! We register our new shoes on the Garmin app, put 600k as a max. distance and we can then forget about calculating when we need to change them. Garmin does the work 🙂 See how to track gear on Garmin. 

There’s a ton of apps that do this, even free ones such as Strava.

3. Hungry? Don't eat.

Maybe it’s a natural human instinct to think that we need food before going out for a run.  We need the nutrients and energy to run, right? You have realised that you have hardly drunk anything all day. Ok, that’s not good, but if you’re about to go for a run, now is not the time to put it right! You’re only going to waste time getting ready, step out the door, and 5 minutes into the run you feel sick and head back home. 

We usually are ok if we eat a small snack like rice cakes and honey at least 45 minutes before our run. We avoid eating big portions at least an hour and a half before a run. Everyone is different, so it’s best to get to know what your own body can handle, but know that eating just before you’re about to slip on those running shoes, you’ll probably going to have an uncomfortable session.

4. Take Small Strides

One thing we have been taught recently is that smaller, shorter steps are better.  The less contact time your feet have on the ground, the less risk of injury. 

It’s easier said than done because it’s almost automatic to think that to run faster you must run with bigger strides – but STOP! Do the opposite and just see how this improves your running efficiency.

Your steps can be measured by a sports watch – it gives you a cadence reading which is the number of times each foot touches the ground in a minute. We try to keep our cadence at around the recommended 180 steps per minute (spm).

5. No pain, You Gain!

Ok, it’s not usually what you hear. We know how the saying goes really “no pain, no gain.” You should actually think of it more like “no pain, I gain…so keep it going.”  Why?

Because, if we are talking a little technical as we focus on training based on your heart rate zones, research suggests that working in zone 2 (ie. at a talking state) will be where you should concentrate on most – whether you want to lose weight or get fitter and faster! If you’re interested to find out more here, we like this youtube TED talk by Stephen Seiler: How “normal people” can train like the worlds best endurance athletes

What is more important is doing it regularly and sticking at it. That’s where we have both really seen the results.

6. Don't trust the watch

So many watches now, including ours, have the heart rate sensor embedded into the watch itself.  This is great for many things, however, for training purposes, we can’t rely on them. There is always a day or two (with each watch we’ve purchased) when we forget our chest straps, and we have seen how different the readings from the watch sensor are to that of the chest strap. They can also show erratic numbers, jumping around, so if you’re trying to follow your HR zones, it’s almost impossible!

It’s important to know also that if you intend to stay in a specific heart rate zone, you may be working so much harder (or not hard enough) than you should be. So in our opinion, if you’re going to start training following HR zones, we would recommend investing in an HR monitor chest strap.

7. Running is about efficiency

When you run, you want to run effortlessly (well, seem like it anyway!)  So pop on those new cinderella trainers, and head out, feel relaxed in the upper body, and think that you want to move forward.  It seems silly, but one great lesson we have learned is to consciously think about putting your energy into moving forward and be aware when you feel you are jumping up and down too much.

Even your arm movement should feel like it’s helping you with this forward motion, whilst at the same time feeling relaxed. We think these are some of the most important tips to discover how enjoyable running really is!

Start off on the

right foot (Not Literally!) with our 7 favorite running tips. 

They say if you can walk, you can run! And what better way to get outside and get fit, either solo or in the company of others and with almost no cost or planning required, just step outside and you’re off!

But wait, just before you go off running, we want you to know our 7 top tips. They are the most important things we wish we knew when starting out running.

So go on, read on – it’ll take you just 4 minutes, 37 seconds. You’ll save a bundle of time in the long run from injuries, spending money on physiotherapy, and you may even find running more fun than you had initially thought.

1. New Trainers?

No? Ok, step back indoors, grab that purse and head off to your nearest running shop before you do anything else. Why? Because without the right trainers, running is not going to be fun. Think pain, injuries and the possible embarrassment of slipping because your trainers have lost grip!

It can be fun, you just need those cinderella trainers that will be perfect for you. There are many trainers, but you need to make sure they are designed for running and not the fashion ones! There are so many different designs made for specific styles of running, feet shape, and budgets. It’s overwhelming, so we go to a running store that helps analyse your running technique, your posture, and your feet. You can try a few on and test them out on a running machine too.

So go and feel comfortable and confident in your trainers!

2. Keep track

So you bought your trainers a couple of years ago and they still look good as new? Don’t be deceived. Sometimes even sparkling trainers don’t always mean they’re up for the job!

We both had injuries on our running journeys until we found out that it was most probably because we were wearing old, worn-out trainers. So, save yourself on physiotherapy costs and make sure your trainers haven’t passed their sell-by-date! We register our new shoes on the Garmin app, put 600k as a max. distance and we can then forget about calculating when we need to change them. Garmin does the work 🙂 See how to track gear on Garmin. 

There’s a ton of apps that do this, even free ones such as Strava.

3. Hungry? Don't eat.

Maybe it’s a natural human instinct to think that we need food before going out for a run.  We need the nutrients and energy to run, right? You have realised that you have hardly drunk anything all day. Ok, that’s not good, but if you’re about to go for a run, now is not the time to put it right! You’re only going to waste time getting ready, step out the door, and 5 minutes into the run you feel sick and head back home. 

We usually are ok if we eat a small snack like rice cakes and honey at least 45 minutes before our run. We avoid eating big portions at least an hour and a half before a run. Everyone is different, so it’s best to get to know what your own body can handle, but know that eating just before you’re about to slip on those running shoes, you’ll probably going to have an uncomfortable session.

4. Take Small Strides

One thing we have been taught recently is that smaller, shorter steps are better.  The less contact time your feet have on the ground, the less risk of injury. 

It’s easier said than done because it’s almost automatic to think that to run faster you must run with bigger strides – but STOP! Do the opposite and just see how this improves your running efficiency.

Your steps can be measured by a sports watch – it gives you a cadence reading which is the number of times each foot touches the ground in a minute. We try to keep our cadence at around the recommended 180 steps per minute (spm).

5. No pain, You Gain!

Ok, it’s not usually what you hear. We know how the saying goes really “no pain, no gain.” You should actually think of it more like “no pain, I gain…so keep it going.”  Why?

Because, if we are talking a little technical as we focus on training based on your heart rate zones, research suggests that working in zone 2 (ie. at a talking state) will be where you should concentrate on most – whether you want to lose weight or get fitter and faster! If you’re interested to find out more here, we like this youtube TED talk by Stephen Seiler: How “normal people” can train like the worlds best endurance athletes

What is more important is doing it regularly and sticking at it. That’s where we have both really seen the results.

6. Don't trust the watch

So many watches now, including ours, have the heart rate sensor embedded into the watch itself.  This is great for many things, however, for training purposes, we can’t rely on them. There is always a day or two (with each watch we’ve purchased) when we forget our chest straps, and we have seen how different the readings from the watch sensor are to that of the chest strap. They can also show erratic numbers, jumping around, so if you’re trying to follow your HR zones, it’s almost impossible!

It’s important to know also that if you intend to stay in a specific heart rate zone, you may be working so much harder (or not hard enough) than you should be. So in our opinion, if you’re going to start training following HR zones, we would recommend investing in an HR monitor chest strap.

7. Running is about efficiency

When you run, you want to run effortlessly (well, seem like it anyway!)  So pop on those new cinderella trainers, and head out, feel relaxed in the upper body, and think that you want to move forward.  It seems silly, but one great lesson we have learned is to consciously think about putting your energy into moving forward and be aware when you feel you are jumping up and down too much.

Even your arm movement should feel like it’s helping you with this forward motion, whilst at the same time feeling relaxed. We think these are some of the most important tips to discover how enjoyable running really is!

Categories: Run