Make Running YOUR Sport
Author: Shannon Miller
If you were inspired by the article It’s Not About the Win, It’s About the Challenge and you are now interested in taking up running – making it YOUR sport.
Recall from my interview with Meghan that she started training with half miles and she admitted to being very winded after that. This is not unusual. Gymnastics is an anaerobic sport. It was all I could do to get through a 90 second floor routine so I certainly understand the challenge.
Obviously, winded was not all Meghan felt. In talking with her, it was clear that she felt a huge sense of accomplishment (if not a little pain) as well; she was doing something she had never done before, she was doing more each week, and it was becoming easier and easier. She caught the running bug!
Try these tips if you’re interested in taking up running, but aren’t sure where to begin.
Track your progress and continuously improve your running experience by keeping a Running Journal! When keeping a journal try to focus on the following:
- Distance/time/pace. Record 1 or all 3 of these, depending on what is important to you on any given week. For example, in preparing for races, your training pace can be used to help predict your race pace. All three are good indicators of how you are improving.
- Total mileage for week. Keep a tally of how many miles you have covered each week to make sure you are meeting your goals. This way, you have something to work towards each week!
- What did you do? Treadmill? Long run? It’s a good idea to record the type of run you did. Varying the type of run you do will produce more benefits than doing the same run every day.
- Weather. Weather can easily affect your run. An easy three mile run in 90 degree weather can produce a different result than an easy three mile run in 60 degree weather.
- What did you eat/drink? What you eat before your run can either energize you or give you indigestion. Keeping track of what you eat can help you recognize what works best to fuel your runs. And of course it’s important to stay hydrated when doing any type of physical activity.
- How do you feel? Do you have a cramp in your right side? Is your left ankle giving you trouble? Not only can you track how various factors affect your performance, you may also be able to pinpoint the onset of an injury.
TIP: Track your progress and get more tips with Shannon Miller’s Runner’s Journal. Order your journal and start your journey today!
A special thank you to our Jackie Culver for sharing these important running tips in Shannon’s Running Journal. Check out Jackie Culver, President of JOC Fitness and an ultra-marathoner, at http://www.jackieculver.com