Dear New Runner

I know you didn’t ask me for this but since I’m here I decided to let you know a few things about running.

However, you should know that I’m not a professional runner, trainer or physiologist. And I haven’t been running all that long – just 12 years to be exact.

But in that time I’ve managed to rack up a few miles under my feet including 17 marathons. So I do know a little and can share my experience with you.

Since you’re thinking about starting to run, or you’ve already started and came across this you’re clearly looking for more info. No I don’t care what motivated you to start, I think it’s a personal choice. Like you want to lose weight, or to train for a race with a friend, or to raise money for a cause, or whatever reason, there are a few things you NEED to know before you start.

If you run, you’re a runner. When someone asks, please don’t say “I’m not really a runner.” Let me be the first to welcome you to our community!
Regardless of what you read in running-related magazines, websites or blogs (including this one), you don’t need to spend a bazillion dollars on gear. In fact, all you really need is a pair of sneakers that feel good on your feet, a comfortable shirt and shorts and a desire to run. And your mom would probably add sunscreen, so . . .
Don’t ever neglect to stretch after running. You may feel great and invincible now, but trust me on this one.
There will be days and even weeks (sometimes months) where it sucks. You’ll have negative thoughts in your head the entire run, your legs will feel heavy, you’ll feel slow and sluggish. But I urge you to keep going. Because one day you’ll go out and run and you’ll feel like a million bucks. Everything will click and you’ll feel like you’re the fastest person in the park. And that on run will make all of the crappy runs disappear.
Sign up for a race in your community. Want to be motivated? To meet other runners? Want to have a blast. Wake up before the sunrise, make your way to your local park to line up with other runners and run a race while most of your friends and family are still asleep.
Don’t feel like you need to run fast, run far, run all the time, train in any specific way or buy all the things. Your running is yours. The only “should” is that you should get out there and have fun.
If you’re insistent on wanting to track your run, download one of the free apps (Strava, RunKeeper, Endomondo, MapMyRun, etc.). They all work off the GPS built into your phone, so you’ve already spent the money. And, if you find that you want more features, most of them have paid versions that will give you more metrics.
If you decide you want to train for a race, there are free training plans all over the interwebz. Just do some research to find out if they are from reputable trainers. I’ve used Hal Higdon‘s free plans for every marathon I’ve run.
Don’t be afraid to push yourself. You’ll might surprise yourself when you accomplish great things! 12 years ago I would have told you that running was a fate worse than death, now I can’t imagine living without it. So don’t be afraid to fail.
NEVER compare yourself to others. I belong to a club that has a million sayings, one is Compare and Despair. Unless you decide differently, you don’t need to compete with anyone but yourself.