Before you do anything, go to your GP and have a check up on your general health. For a normal person who is in good health this should present no difficulties. If there are any previous health conditions that have been experienced, this is a good time to discuss them and get the all clear or otherwise from the doctor.
Fitness
Given that you have been allowed to start to run by your doctor, you should now evaluate your fitness level. This will help you to know where to start in your training programme. All people are different and a very simple and easy step by step programme is ideal for a complete novice but might not be enough for someone who is really fit, been doing some other sporting activity, and wants to now start running. When your checks have been done and your fitness level is known, you can then decide what training programme is best for you.
Clothing
Running is a great sport and the outlay for clothing is relatively small compared to some other sports. The essentials are running shoes, socks, shorts or tights, tops and jacket. Hats and gloves and other accessories can be obtained as required.
Diet
This is a very important consideration for anyone who wants to run regularly. A good balanced diet from the 5 main food groups, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Fruit & Veg. and Dairy products should be followed. You should always allow at least 2 or 3 hrs between eating and going out running. Also, you should eat within 30 mins. of having done some running. This helps to replace elements that have been lost with exercising. Hydration is also very important and a variation of water and sports drinks should be used before, during and after all periods of running. This is especially true if distances of more than 5k are run in the one training period.
Training
There are many training schedules available today and it makes sense to pick one you think will suit you and help you realise your goals and targets in a reasonable manner. One that does not ask you to do too much to start with and gradually increases the time on your feet is the most desirable for anyone starting out. The training programme should be tailored to fit your personal targets.
Targets
There are many reasons why people start to run today. It might be that they want to run for a charity and see some money raised for their efforts in running a particular distance. There are many mass participant races run every week of the year covering the most popular distances of 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Full Marathon.
You may want to start and be able to run 5k as a start then progress to longer distances. Or you may be one who has club running as a target and want to take part in the many championship events that are held every year.
Whatever your chosen avenue for running, the basics are the same. You have to start very gently and work your way up to your chosen field. Having goals and targets helps you to focus on the end results more clearly and enables your training plans to be structured in such a way as to maximize your efforts towards that.
Author Resource:-
This article was written by Alan Seel who has many years of running experience. Visit http://www.iwant2run.blogspot.com for more information about running.
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