How to Become A Runner

I recently received this email from a close friend of mine: *Hey, I’d like to become a runner. Any advice?* Which I, of course, responded to with an overload of advice, that I’d like to now empart on you. I was tickled that my friend implicitly understood that there was a difference between wanting to start running, and wanting to become a runner. The first usually has some other end goal, such as losing weight, or getting in shape, or any of the other numerous benefits. These are all good reasons, but becoming a runner is about more than that. When you change your identity, running becomes part of who you are. You’ll reap the rewards, like anyone else, but it’s a mental, emotional and in some ways, spiritual thing… not just physical. I can’t explain it. You’ll have to see for yourself. **8 tips to run by: ** - The top priorities in starting to run is to stay motivated while not landing on the injured list. - The top reasons people get injured are: - Running surface (doing all your running on concrete or asphalt) - Running shoes (wearing worn out or dead shoes) - Incorrect form (too complicated to get into here, I’ll post again on it. Few people realize that running well is a skill, and mastering it is the difference between a lifetime of injuries and running bliss) - And the top reason: Increasing your mileage too quickly (max is 10% a week, with down weeks every three weeks). - Running is about consistency more than intensity, listen to your body, walk when you need/want to, and don’t up the ante to continually run farther. - Go to a running store and buy new shoes. Don’t even think about doing it based on the way they look. Ask for advice, they should look at the way you stand, walk and run to understand your biomechanics and what you need from a shoe. - Stretch more after you run, rather than before, but start slow to give your body a chance to warm up. - There is nothing wrong with walking. I still do it routinely. It’s better to keep a good pace where your form is not breaking down, and walk when you need to, then labor along at a slow pace where you are dragging your feet and putting a lot of stress on your body. - Listen to your body. If you’re tired, don’t push it. If you are feeling fresh, throw in some strides where you are running at an 80% effort for a hundred or two hundred yards. - Keep it fun. This is not worth doing if it’s a burden and adds stress to your life. Running should be challenging, not a pain. Enter a road race and go celebrate afterward. Get a running buddy, or join a running club. Most running stores have free weekly runs. It’s a great way to meet other runners too. It only takes 15-25 minutes to get a great workout in. There is almost no overhead (no gym memberships, fancy equipment, or classes), you can do it anywhere and the benefits are lifelong. Running is my sport of choice. Cheers to the beautiful miles that lie ahead. -->