Running is one of the easiest, most effective ways to keep fit and healthy. If you’ve got a decent pair of running shoes, some shorts and a t-shirt, you can start running! Running training helps develop your core fitness, working the cardiovascular system and strengthening leg and arm muscles.
There are running clubs and athletics facilities across the UK, but you don’t need to be a member of a club to start running. If you want to reach your full potential, we can connect you with a running training specialist or running club. Contact us to find out more.
Starting a running training programme
It’s important to develop your running training programme over time and not jump in to a strenuous routine. If you’re a total running beginner, start with brisk 30-minute walks and slowly move up to gentle jogging. Running training can be tough on the knees, so it’s important to know your level before pounding the streets!
Make sure that you have a good pair of running shoes which fit well. Good running shoes can help you avoid injuries and joint pain, as well as making your running training sessions more comfortable.
If you prefer, you can start your running training programme at the gym on a running machine or treadmill. These offer a more “cushioned” surface and less wind resistance than road running. If you’re coming back from injury or are slightly overweight, then you might want to start on a running machine.
Running warm-up exercises
Running training can put a lot of strain on your knee joints and muscles. Before every running training session you should warm up to minimise your risk of injury. Here’s an example running exercise to get you ready for your running training:
- Gently shrug your shoulders and then move your arms slowly up and down. Start rotating your waist in a circle and moving your wrists. Do this for a couple of minutes.
- Now place you palms on the outsides of your legs. Slowly reach down one side towards your knee, and then do the same on the other side.
- Stretch your arms out and lean against a solid wall. Keep your back leg straight with the foot flat to the ground. Now gently bring your chest in towards the wall, bending your arms. Hold the position for around 20 seconds, and then repeat with the other leg.
Running training and fitness – the right diet
As with all sports and fitness, eating the right diet is important. Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean following the latest celebrity fad diet or cutting back on delicious foods. Eating right means getting a balance of all the key food groups and reducing your intake of harmful sugars and fats. Our healthy eating guide can help you start on the path to healthy living.
Running personal training
A personal trainer can help you get in peak condition. We can connect you with a running training specialist, or help you find a running club or training facility in your area. Contact us to find out more about our network of running personal trainers and to arrange a running training programme.
