Takbo101: How do I start running?

Here is a question from Peth thru email.

Hi Peth,

Thank you for you email and thank you for allowing me to use your email as the first of the Takbo101 Q&A series.

This is a very common question that I would receive.  Most of the time, it is from people who say they have never tried running at all.  It means that more and more people are interested to take up running as a sport, exercise or a lifestyle.

How to start?  My answer is actually from my own experience on how I started running last 2006.  It was pretty simple.  So simple I can summarize how I started running in four steps.

Step One. Get ready with your gears.  Get a pair of rubber shoes, shorts and shirt.  That’s probably it.  This is all you need to start running.  You don’t need fancy shoes or techie apparels and gadgets, yet.

Step Two. Go outside and run like a kid.  Find a safe road in your area, or go to the gym or a track oval.  Your neighborhood block will do for a start.  Run or jog.  Since, it will be your first, just run slowly.  No need to make a dash.  Just like a kid, enjoy your first run.  Run naturally.  Breathe naturally.  Worry about the technicalities later.  You can do this for just 10 minutes and increase the time as you go along.

Step three. Set a goal.  Did you feel good in doing Step two?  Next step to set a goal to keep you motivated.  The goal should be simple and achievable.  A good goal to start is either (1) to run for 30 minutes without walking or stopping or (2) to join a 5K race.  In this stage, you need to be more committed to running and expect to run at least 3 times a week.

Recommended Sites

The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

Step Four. Research more.  It’s time to take it to the next level.  To do this, you need to research on improving your runs, choosing the right shoes, avoiding injuries and other technicalities related to running.  This part can be tiring, since there are plenty of information to read about running.  But at the same time, this will be exciting since you get to learn a lot of thing to create running your new passion.

Recommended Sites

Runner’s World

Time to Run

Who to contact?

When I started running, I did not have any contact except for my officemate who runs with me.  I am not sure what you mean with this question but below are some people you might want to contact to help you as you start running.

1. See a doctor.  To many, this was optional, but a trip to the doctor to check for possible risk factors before taking the sport can be beneficial.

2. Join a running clinic or get a coach.  They are either free or for a fee.  Running clinics and coaches can help you improve your runs.  Takbo.ph announces free running clinics whenever they are available.

3. Find a running buddy.  Your buddy will be your lifeline as both of you encourage one another.  Your buddy can be your partner, relative, friend, officemate or classmate.  Just as long as both of you share the same passion.

4. Check out the FORUMS.  The forums at Takbo.ph has plenty of discussions about running.  There is a special section for the newbies where you can read newbie related questions or create your own if it is new.  The forum has topics on training tips, health, nutrition and running gears.  Plus, you might find new running buddies at the forums.

I hope you’d find running fun and interesting like we did.  Run safe and see you on the road.