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How to Get Back into Running after a Long Break
Running is a great way to keep fit. It is also an easy fitness solution for people with very little free time. Anyone can run – all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other. You do not need any specialist equipment apart from a decent pair of running shoes. You can also run anywhere, so if you travel a lot, your fitness regime doesn’t need to suffer. But what happens if you have had a long break from running, perhaps because you had a baby?
Whatever your reasons for starting to run again, the good news is that you are not starting from scratch. Unless it’s been many years, you should find it easier second time around when you take up running again. If you have been doing other fitness activities, for example Hit 180 fitness classes once a week, the process will be even quicker.
Draw Up a Training Schedule
If you want to avoid running related injuries, you need to start slowly. Although your body will remember what it’s like to run, pushing too hard, too fast, is a recipe for disaster. To prevent injury from sidelining your ambitions, look for a training plan online, something along the lines of a 5K in 12 weeks schedule. Follow this and you will be able to build your fitness up slowly.
Cross Train
Running is great, but you will benefit enormously from cross training. Running uses certain muscles and ignores the rest. Cross train to work different muscles so that your body remains in balance. Cycling and swimming are useful cross training exercises, but any fitness class will do.
Run with a Friend
It can often be hard to run alone, particularly at the end of a long, tiring day. Ask a friend of similar ability to go running with you. That way running becomes more of a social activity and therefore more fun. It is a lot harder to quit when someone else is relying on you to show up for a run.
Join a Running Club
Running clubs are perfect for fun runners. Most clubs are very inclusive and supportive. They are usually happy to take new members of all abilities, so don’t feel you have to be a fantastic runner to join. You can attend whatever sessions you like and take advantage of free coaching and social activities. It is a great way to make new friends, and if you are the competitive type, you can use your club as a launch pad for running competitions.
Enter an Event
Entering a running event will give you lots of motivation to stick at your training schedule. You don’t need to aim for the Boston Marathon (unless you are super motivated!). Any local running race will be fine. You can even raise money for charity if you are feeling philanthropic.
Running is like an ex: if you think long and hard enough, you will soon remember why you fell in love with it in the first place.
