Today I want to address some questions I get asked all the time. Hopefully not just to help and motivate my friends and family, but also other people on the internet.
I'd like to start out by saying that it is true that you either are a runner, or you aren't a runner. How can you tell? It has nothing to do with what shape you're in right now. It has nothing to do with if you enjoy running right now or not.
Just answer this: When someone talks about running, do you daydream and imagine yourself gracefully running, maybe even crossing a finish line? Do you see people running outside and wish you could look like that? Did you start reading this post because you're looking for motivation to run?
If you answered yes to any of that above — an inner runner is just waiting to come out. Keep reading and please submit any questions you have and I'll do my best to answer them! Fair warning, I'm not a professional, these are just my answers to common questions based on my personal experience.
I hate running. How do you do it?
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you're either running too fast or too far. Throw away any ideas you have of what pace you should be running, what distance you should be running. Start slow and start with a Couch to 5k training plan. And when I say start slow, I mean run slower than you think you should. You can either run for distance or time, but not both. Just like a relationship, don't rush into it. Take it slow, nurture it. After all, it's not a race. Yet.
Okay, I'll get on a training program. What do you recommend?
If you have an iPhone, I highly recommend ClearSky's 5k Runner app. It's a walk-run-walk program that starts nice and slow, and it'll have you running a 5k in eight short weeks, only three runs a week.
Once you've mastered the 5k and are ready to move on, I'm a big fan of Athleta's 10k Training Guide. The weekday runs are shorter and manageable, the Sunday runs are the long ones. Again, this is an eight week program but with four runs a week.
I'm only halfway through my 10k training, so I can't make any suggestions on a half marathon or a full marathon yet. Once I begin training for those, I'll post what plans I'm following on here.
When should I get fitted for proper running shoes?
Normally I'd say right away, but I'm realistic and running shoes are relatively expensive. I'd say about halfway through your training program, it's safe to say you're committed and should get the right shoes to keep you motivated!
How do I keep up motivation?
Sign up for a race. You can search by location and distance at Active.com.
What's the difference between a "jogger" and a "runner"?
This is a tough one. Personally, I'll never refer to someone as a "jogger". If you're pushing yourself and you're out there, to me, you're a runner. You'll read a lot of opinions online. Ignore them. If you're running, you're a runner.
What's all this talk about the right running form? Do I really need to do it?
Please, if there is anything you do, please please please make sure you're running with proper form. When I first started running, I was dumb. I was wearing the wrong shoes, was running every single day, was pushing myself every day, and had the worst form possible. What happened? I injured myself, pretty badly. In fact, when you're starting a running program, it might seem like the first few runs are easy. That's good, those easy runs are for perfecting your form. Here's a good graphic on proper running form. Practice, practice, practice. It is hard, and it's hard to break bad form, but it is worth every single second of retraining yourself.
