If you’re completely new to running or have been doing so for a while, there will always be days of muscle pain and general sluggishness. Some days, probably most of them, you’ll find that your pace is slow, or your gait feels awkward.
Your normal speed could be or feel lagging far behind, and that may take you back to the days when you first initially began running, or why you found it painful, boring, and awkward. This when you decided to undertake this method of fitness.
It doesn’t really matter how long you’ve been running, or how fast you speed on your feet. It doesn’t matter if you’re training for your ninth marathon, your first 10k run, or you just like to do a few revolutions around the block.
What you won’t expect is for every run to be absolutely perfect and stellar on a daily basis. You’re bound to experience a few awkward and painful moments along the way, such as: poor weather, leg or foot cramps, sneaker or clothing malfunctions.
There are however a list of helpful tips which can take to make your runs a little bit better, more consistent, smoother and a lot more comfortable every time that you lace them up.
Investing In The Best Fitting Running Shoes
When running, just the sheer pounding on the pavement looks and can feel uncomfortable, and can be more so when in bad ill fitting shoes. You can easily end up with blisters, arch issues, sore ankles, painful knees, hips, and major injuries, if your shoes aren’t providing the proper cushioning and support for your body type.
So invest in purchasing the best quality pair of running shoes that you can. If you’re not sure of what to buy, then visit a specialty running shoe store where they’re able to fit you precisely with a pair to suit your feet, body style, and frequency.
Make Sure You Stretch Properly
Stretching before and at the end of your run is extremely important to keep your muscles loose, and your joints and body pain free. Make sure that you take anywhere up to 30 minutes before the run, and then 5 to 10-minutes after the run to stretch your muscles out.
Concentrate on your quadriceps and hamstrings by gently stretching and massaging them as a reward for your hard work. Not only doing so will feel great, it also prevents muscle pain and potential injury, so you’ll be able to run with vigor again tomorrow, then the next day.
Mapping Out Your Running Route
There’s a certain feeling which places your mind at ease along with a feeling of accomplishment when completing a preset task. When it comes to running, that can be easily accomplished by beginning at Point A and then successfully reaching Point B an hour later.
This can also be just jogging around the neighborhood a few times, or grabbing a morning coffee at your favorite cafe spot. Just have a prescribed start and end destination in mind, and then allow that to be your guide.
Scheduling Your Daily Runs
The majority of people will be more apt to make time for their running provided it’s scheduled on a calendar. So place the onus on yourself and commit to a dedicated daily run, or a few weekly runs by scheduling them on your calendar.
Block off a hour first thing in the morning to get away from the hectic bustle of your work and family obligations, and then do something that’s beneficial for your mind and body. Give your daily jog the importance that it deserves.
Finding The Proper Rhythm
Finding your own personal rhythm can be difficult at first. So strap on your MP3 player and a set of ear phones and then listen to your favorite customized running playlist and fine tune it.
Whatever that you’re running fuel may be, make sure that you find it to be comfortable. Pick soothing up tempo beats and rhythms which are suitable to the pace of your running style and speed.
Make Sure You Pace Yourself
Some are guilty of expending way too much energy much too soon which burns out the muscles half way through the run. So it becomes vitally important to properly pace yourself.
It’ll usually takes a bit of time to become completely familiar with your body, your exact level of fitness and stamina that’s suitable for your running style.
So to begin, start out walking or with a slow jog and then continue until you can ramp up to your full running pace which you feel comfortable with. Always be conscious of your body posture.
Choosing A Relaxing Scenic Route
This can become imperative since running is all about relaxing and enjoyment. It’s always a lot more peaceful when your running in visually stimulating surroundings.
So make sure that you pick a route near your local park, the beach, or a quaint forest trail which has a smooth running surface and visual scenery. The positive surroundings will always transcend to better your mental attitude.
Concentrating On A Good Run
The worst thing is getting frustrated, which then creates a chain effect that may even set you back in your running. If you happen to have a particularly bad run, accept it and then try again tomorrow.
Never focus on how slow you run, or if you need to stop and walk, or how short of a distance that you run compared to others. Instead, consider yourself fortunate that you found running and then focus on making small improvements every day.
Never Time Your Runs
What you’re doing is placing too much pressure on yourself when you time your runs, which stresses out your muscles and makes them sore. Instead, choose a route which you know will take approximately an hour or so to run, and then enjoy the freedom of running without a strict time clock.
At times, it may take you a few minutes over or under that time depending on how you feel. Doing so will help you get in a better run with less pain and worry.
Wearing The Proper Attire
Although you might think that those riding their bikes in those ridiculous color coordinated outfits may be too extreme and look silly, but there is something about looking good and feeling good.
Just make sure that you wear appropriately for the temperature and the elements. Wearing stylishly will make you look and feel better and provide a boost, which will help you enjoy your running that much more.