Since Day 1 of my running journey, I’ve been lucky enough to have my husband Jay to answer all my questions and give me endless advice. Thanks to the guidance of my husband (and of my running buddy, too!!), I’ve never felt lost or confused about anything related to running. I realize that not everyone has that go-to person to ask running questions to and running can certainly be intimidating to a lot of people so today I thought I’d share a few tips on how to start running. These tips are for anyone who has ever been curious about running or has wanted to become a runner but doesn’t really know where to start.

Realize that you have to start somewhere.

Don’t expect to run a 5k in record time the first time you run. Set realistic expectations for yourself and work towards realistic goals.

Know that there is nothing wrong with the run/walk method.

If you’re a beginner, it’s definitely not a good idea to go out and run at full speed. There’s no point in that. I recommend doing a run/walk program where you build up to running bigger distances little by little. There is an app called Couch to 5k that will help you go from “couch potato to running a 5K race in just 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week for 9 weeks.” Click here to learn more.

Listen to your body.

No matter what running program you choose to follow, make sure you are listening to your body. It’s normal to be sore after pushing your body but if you experience pain you should of course stop your running and see a doctor.

Get proper running shoes.

Something I did very early on was go to my local Road Runner Sports to get properly fitted for running shoes. I don’t remember the exact details of the fitness test they did but I do remember the test included measurements and running on a treadmill. Talking to a fit expert about what types of shoes might be appropriate for you will help you avoid spending lots of money on shoes that aren’t appropriate for you.

Fuel and Hydrate Properly

This one should be a no brainer but it’s easy to think that you’ll be “fine” just because you’re not running long distances yet. Get used to fueling and hydrating properly – not only will you feel better but you’ll also be forming good habits.

Find a running buddy.

While I do run by myself a lot, I’ve always had a running buddy available to me and I have to say that it’s one of the most important things you can do to stay motivated. There’s nothing like an accountability partner to make sure you show up to log those miles!

Enjoy your runs!

Whether that means running naked (without a watch or music) or running with your favorite tunes and gadgets, enjoy every minute. Change the scenery from time to time, get a fun new running shirt, and find other ways to make your runs enjoyable. The more you enjoy them, the more likely you are to continue your running.

Are you a beginner runner? Leave your questions in the comments and I’ll be happy to answer them… or get the answers from my husband =)