To Your Health!
Run For Your Life!
Get outdoors, run for your life, and be active. It is that time of year again to enjoy longer days of sunshine and great weather. Besides enjoying the scenery, running is a great way to lower your risk for heart disease. How should you get started?
Here are a few good tips to get you going.
- Start simple- If you are interested in running, start with a safe plan! There are a number of good web sites and guides that can take you from step one to your first marathon! Try the site "How to Get Started with Running" at http://running.about.com/od/getstartedwithrunning/ to get great and up to date information on how to begin. This site and several others have good training schedules for beginners to reduce chances for injury from overzealous beginnings. Two books I recommend for more information are "The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women" and "The Beginning Runner's Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program."
- Check up- It important to make sure you are physically ready to train. If it has been a long time since you have seen a health care provider for a wellness exam/physical or participated in exercise (or both), make an appointment before you begin. Start smart! They may have individualized suggestions that will help you with your running as well as your overall fitness plan.
- Good Gear- Getting a good pair of running shoes shouldn't drain your budget. Many sporting goods and specialty stores can help you select the best shoes based on your individual needs.
- Train with a friend- It is always motivating to have someone else to share your training adventures with. If you don't feel like working out, having someone else waiting for you to show up to run can keep you on track. You may want to join a running group. This may be a good option if you don't have a potential training partner in the wings. Besides helping with motivation, it could be a great way to meet new friends who share your interest. Check out "Running Groups in San Antonio" at http://www.sanantoniorunninggroups.com to get a local listing by meeting times of groups in town. Training levels are given so you can get a good match whether you are a beginner or seasoned athlete.
- Pick targets- By having training goals, you can keep your motivation going and get stronger too. One way to do this is by training with a first race in mind. San Antonio is host to several good 5K races and even marathons! A 5K (a little over 3 miles) run/walk is a good first event. When this issue comes out, thousands will take part in the Komen Race for the Cure. For the more ambitious, the Rock and Roll Marathon in November has options for a 13 or 26 mile race. Events like these are great ways to support important causes while providing you with new running experiences. So... what are you waiting for? Go dust off those sneakers and get going!
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