Casual Running: Five Tips to Prepare You for Your First Run

“Running is nothing more than a series of arguments between the part of your brain that wants to stop and the part that wants to keep going.” –Author Unknown 

So, you have decided you wanted to try a fitness activity and signed yourself up for a running event (If you have not yet, Circuit Makati is hosting one this month). So, after signing up and doing all the necessary training you need to do in order to prepare yourself, what else is there left to do? Well, participating in your first fun run—especially when you have to run a considerable distance in order to complete it—can be an intimidating experience. This is all the more true for first-time runners who have no prior experience with running before. However, by doing some of the tips and techniques down below, you can maximize your experience while enjoying it.

Here are the best ways you can make your first fun run a no-frills and fun kind of event:

1.)    Prepare your body beforehand 

Of course, there is no absolute need to train like you are joining the Ironman marathon. However, you do need to adequately prepare your body beforehand and make sure that by the time you run the race, you would not end up being winded. If this is your first run, having your body get used to the strenuous activity by actively running for short distances for at least a couple months before the event is paramount.

2.)    Do not overtrain at the last minute

One of the common mistakes that even seasoned runners commit is to aggressively train a week before the event in an attempt to build up their strength and stamina. However, this can be incredibly detrimental to your body as it needs to recover and rest to ensure you would avoid stress injuries. Furthermore, overtraining yourself might result in exhaustion. In this regard, you might even have to forfeit attending the running event due to your injuries. Ensure that you have sufficient intervals between training times, and avoid overtraining at the last minute.

3.)    It is more than just about running 

While running the fastest would help you accomplish getting to the finish line first, it is not the only thing you should focus on. Apart from running, it is also essential to work on your core and technique so that you would successfully maintain a good posture throughout the entire run. Good posture is integral to comfortable running.

4.)    Do not go crazy on the carbs 

Carbohydrates are an excellent source of energy, and they might give you that extra boost comes running day. However, you should not drastically change your diet just the day before the running event. Doing so could result in indigestion and even fluctuating energy levels. In extreme cases, it might even cause you to pass out while running. If you wish to incorporate more carbohydrates to your diet or make any changes to it, give it a test run weeks before your scheduled running day so that your body will have enough time to get used to them.

5.)    Prepare what you need and have fun 

Apart from the extra shirt and bottle of water, you would need on the event day itself; you have to ensure that you are adequately geared up for running a significant distance. This means that the shoes that you wear and the clothes you would run in are all comfortable to wear. In this regard, your clothes should not chafe as you run. Moreover, it is best if you packed snacks with you and apply sunscreen before positioning yourself at the starting line. Lastly, remember to have fun. Remember, your objective here is to relish the experience. It is fun run after all and not a marathon. 

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