What You Need to Get Started is an excerpt from Running Getting Started by Jeff Galloway published by Meyer & Meyer Sport 2024
Sure, there are things that can help you and make running easier: shoes, clothing, a training journal, watches, water belts, sun glasses, etc. As a running store owner, I’m very pleased that runners enjoy these items. But, my advice to beginners is to test the waters gently, while focusing six months ahead. In other words, don’t load up on everything you could possibly need for the rest of your running life until you know you like it. Virtually everyone can feel great after and during a run, and that becomes a greater reward than anything you can buy for yourself. In the next chapter, you will see that if you maintain desire for half a year, you are likely to continue running for life and will enjoy it. But…it all starts with desire. One of the liberating aspects of running is the minimal requirements beyond items already owned by most people. In most cases, you can run from your house or office using public streets or pedestrian walkways. You can use ordinary clothing, you don’t need to invest in expensive watches or exercise equipment, and you don’t need to join a club. While running with another person can be motivating, you don’t have to have a partner. Most runners run alone on most of their runs.
RUNNERS DON’T HAVE TO HAVE…
- A health club
- A team of other people
- A specific time of the day
- A specific uniform
- A piece of exercise equipment
- Lessons or a “pro” to supervise
- Competitive Events
YOU ARE FREE TO…
- Run by yourself
- Run from your home, office, or kids’ athletic field
- Run when you have time to do so, day or night
- Wear what you wish
- Leave behind the phone
MEDICAL CHECK
Check with your doctor’s office before you start running. Just tell the doctor or head nurse that you plan to walk with a little jogging with the idea of building up to running and walking every other day.
Note: With the Run-Walk-Run method, there is no goal to ever run non-stop.
Almost every new runner will be given the green light. If your doctor recommends against running, ask why. Since there are so few people who cannot run if they use my liberal walk break formula, I suggest that you get a second opinion if your doctor tells you not to run. Certainly the tiny number of people who should not run have good reasons. But, the best medical advisor is the one who wants you to get physical activity and wants to help you get out there walking and running because it is the most likely way that most people will exercise.
THE RUNNING GRAPEVINE CAN HELP
Ask the staff at local running stores, running club members, or long-term runners. They will usually know of several doctors in your town who runners see when they have a problem.
Doctors tell me that compared with their other patients, runners tend to ask more questions and want to keep themselves in good health. You want a doctor who will welcome this and serve as your
health coach, someone who will work with you to avoid injury, sickness, and other health setbacks. Doctors have also told me that runners tend to have fewer bouts with sickness.
Jeff has offered us some amazing instruction on getting started running. We hope you enjoyed and learned from this excerpt of Running Getting Started. For full information from Jeff on the best way to get started and stay motivated running, pick up a copy of Running Getting Started today. You can do so right here or wherever books are sold.