Hey I'm about to start a running clinic and I'm overweight and very nervous to start. What was the most helpful piece of advice about running you wish you knew before you started?
Go slow. The point of learning to run is to become a runner, not to be a runner on day one. Run at an easy pace and don’t be afraid to walk. Once you can comfortably run for 30 minutes then you can start thinking about getting faster.
Don’t feel self-conscious. There are slower, fatter, more awkward, etc. people out running every day. nobody really pays much attention.
Register for a 5k to run after the clinic. That will give you a goal to focus on and races are fun.
Tell your friends and family what you’re doing. Publicly announcing your goals can help keep you accountable. If you have anyone to join you, that will help to.
Talk to the other runners. It helps to have friends who share your interest and there’s no better place to meet them. Plenty of them will be nervous as well.
Invest in a good pair of shoes. If possible buy your shoes from a running-specific store. They should assess your gait with the walk test and give you a few options that fit your biomechanics.
Have fun. Don’t be nervous. Message me if you have any questions and to let me know how it goes.
