On Your Marks, Get Set.....GO!!

So this is a blog about, running. Whilst in lock down, it may be an activity you've considered taking up, and why not? But is it really as easy as just sticking on a pair of trainers and some Lycra and heading out onto the road??

Running is a bit like Marmite in my opinion, you either love it or you hate it.  I was definitely not a fan initially, I’d often see Lycra clad folk running down the road and thinking to myself, no chance you’d get me doing that.  Well, that may have been the case several months ago, but today, I am one of those Lycra clad folk, running for myself, my body and my mind.I decided to write a blog about my relationship with running, because for me, it’s become something I really enjoy. 

I’ve had so many messages asking how I got good at it, what’s my motivation, what advice would I give on getting started, so I thought I’d share some considerations for anyone wanting to get out there and stretch their legs. I must stress I am not a personal trainer or nutritionist, so this advice is purely based on my own experience and what worked for me. So here goes.

We All Have to Start Somewhere

The reality you are going to have to accept when you start running, is that you aren’t going to step out the front door and morph into Usain Bolt. If you are a complete novice, you’re not likely to be able to run that far, or for all that long, and that’s ok. The fact you stepped outside the front door, and you went for a run is something you should take pride in. Your body at first is going to feel sore, and your fitness level will be dependent on how regularly you take exercise already, and at what pace. I won’t lie, the first time I went for a run, I came back a hot, sweaty, red and blotchy mess. As an asthmatic it really took its toll on my chest. But what you have to remember is we all have to start somewhere, it’s where you go from there that matters most.

Get With The App

You may be thinking, running how hard can it be, you literally move your legs and put one in front of the other, right? Well that’s what I thought, and I was wrong.  If you have a goal, say to run a 5k, I recommend using Couch to 5K. The audio support is brilliant, and it talks about technique as well as setting manageable goals for you to work towards. It’s a great way to achieve 5k where you build up stamina and fitness through a manageable weekly programme. That way, you won’t end up overdoing it and putting yourself off.

Once you’ve completed that and you’re feeling a bit more accomplished, you may like to try Strava. It shows you all the key metrics, so you can track your improvements across pace and distance as well as your routes.  For those who are a little more competitive, the Nike Running App is fun. You can join challenges set by you and your friends and see where you are on the leader board, and the audio is useful, to tell you how far you’ve run, the time and pace during the course of your run.

Take Comfort

When you start running, your body is going to hate you enough without additional discomforts plaguing you and impacting your performance and mindset. So, whilst I don’t view running as an opportunity to showcase the latest in “Active Wear”, I do believe you should invest in clothing you are going to be comfortable in.  For women, that of course means a decent sports bra. If you were blessed with generous helpings up top, then you need to keep the rabble under control, not only to avoid injury, but to remove the need for constant bra strap adjustment, which will just annoy and distract you. I also cannot stress enough the importance of taking care of your feet.  That means taking some time to select a good running shoe, that is properly fitted. I spent way more than I was expecting, and was advised to go up a size based on my running technique and how my foot travelled in the shoe. Good socks, and good shoes essential if you’re planning on making running a regular thing.

Motivate to Music

Music for me when running is a must. I find certain types really help me focus, and I purposely listen to music with a regulated beat, which I set my running pace to. Drum and Bass works well for me personally. But whether it’s Eye of the Tiger, Don’t Support Believing, or Baby We Were Born to Run, chooses tunes that motivate you and get your mindset into thinking “I can” instead of “I can’t”. For that reason, I would recommend avoiding listening to anything by Coldplay.

You Are What You Eat

You’re probably thinking with this one, ok Lucy, you don’t need to teach us how to suck eggs. Have you ever tried to suck an egg?.....It’s not that easy. Whilst we know diet has a huge impact on our health and to some might seem like common sense, how hard can it be sometimes to put common sense into practice? 

I’ll be the first to put my hand up and say my diet over the last decade has been all over the place, so has my weight. But the reality is, whilst we all like to have treats and the naughty things in life, you’re not going to get fit and run the distance living solely on doughnuts, pasties, fizzy drinks and booze. I don’t believe in restricting your diet from things that make you happy, but I do know from my own experience, that I perform better out running when I’m eating better and staying hydrated. And, when you combine the two, you will over time feel amazing. I combined Slimming World alongside running, and to date I’ve lost 3 Stone 7lbs. I didn’t achieve this by eating less, I did it by actually eating more, but of the right things. That said, you will still find me enjoying a glass of vino and a Mars bar from time to time, because I enjoy them, I just don’t need them 7 days a week.

Rest Well / Run Well

Your body is amazing. The things it can achieve sometimes go beyond belief, however everyone’s body has its limits, and its important to know and respect yours. Running is a good all over workout, however your body will need to time to rest and recover before you put it through its paces again. There have been days where I’ve set out on a run, and not had any rest days, got five minutes in, and my body is telling me to stop. If it does, listen, and do what it’s telling you. Rest days are important, and giving yourself 2 to 3 days between runs means you aren’t going to overdo it and make yourself physically fatigued.

And that’s it!! So whether you’re wanting run to get fit, lose weight, or both, I hope you’ve taken away from useful info to get you started. I hope like me you fall in love with running, as personally, it’s had a massive impact on my mental well-being as well as physically.

 Good luck, and keep on running!!