Starting a new sports hobby is exciting, and running can be an excellent choice. There are plenty of benefits from improving your cardiovascular fitness to weight loss and strengthening muscles. You won’t want to end up getting an injury, so it’s essential to prepare yourself before you embark upon your running journey! 

Build it up 

It can be a good idea to begin with fast-walking or jogging sessions. You can build-up to running once you get into the swing of things. It’s particularly important to start small if you don’t usually exercise, you are overweight or have poor fitness levels. You can start with 30min fast walking sessions, build up to jogging and eventually running. When you first start running, you should run with intervals of walking and jogging also. Taking on too much too soon will increase your risk of hurting yourself. 

Physiotherapy sessions 

Plenty of new runners like to try a physio session or two. Physiotherapy can help you to improve your flexibility and physical strength. Physio can also help you to lessen your chances of obtaining a running injury. Your physiotherapist will be able to provide stretching, massages and exercises which are personalised to you. After a high impact running session, a sports massage can help you to relax. Vigorous exercise can be good for the body, yet it’s also vital to protect your muscles.

It’s all about the trainers 

Having the wrong kind of trainers is a real mistake in the world of running! If you don’t get running shoes that offer the right support, you’re only going to damage your feet. It’s worth paying a little bit more to find the right pair. Many stores offer a running analysis whereby video technology is used to determine your perfect shoes. It’s a good idea to get shoes based on your pronation and running technique. Stores like Nike, for example, offer a gait analysis to help you find the ideal trainers. Fitness clothes that you are comfortable in are also essential. 

Combine with low impact

Running can do wonders for your fitness levels, yet it’s also a high impact activity. Lots of running on the pavement may put some pressure on your joints over time. If you combine running with a low impact activity, you can ease up some of this pressure. Yoga is a great go to for your non-running days. Yoga will help you to improve your core strength, flexibility and posture too. Yoga is also beneficial to help you to relax and calm your mind after a busy day. 

Eat the right foods 

Many people want to start running to lose some weight. When you start running, you’re often more motivated to go on a diet also. It’s common to shy away from carbs when you are dieting, however complex carbs give you the energy that you’ll need to run. Make sure that you eat some complex carbs a few hours before you run so that you don’t end up feeling faint or lacking energy.