A Beginners Guide To Running: My Top 5 Tips
Sharing my top five tips on running if you're not *really a runner!
What I'm wearing: Superdry Mesh Crop Hoodie | Superdry Studio Leggings | TomTom Runner 3 Running Watch
So, here's how it all started...
Back when I went on that press trip to Madrid (y'know the one where I thought I was off to Milan until I landed in another country.. yeah that), I met a journalist called Tracey who was quite possibly the loveliest lady and we just hit it off straight away, after a fair few glasses of vino, Tracey started telling me about how she ran the London Marathon for her 40th birthday.
To which I was like 'LOL HOW IS THAT A BIRTHDAY PRESENT I'D RATHER STICK TO BUYING A HANDBAG THANKS' - but after chatting some more I could see how much the run had had a positive impact on her life and how when she said it was the best thing she'd ever done, well, she actually meant it.
So, fast forward a couple of months and I find myself applying for the marathon, kind of half heartedly because LOLZ let's be honest I'm not going to get a place.
Until I did. I actually got offered two places which is pretty much unheard of but I decided to run for Age UK. A charity that offers support and advice to elderly people, I work closely with the charity at Christmas time for my #ShareThisChristmas campaign so it felt like a natural fit.
Then it sunk in.
HUN U RUNNING 26 MILES.
I have a confession to make.. I'm not a runner. I've never been a runner or a fan of running. In fact I hated it and could barely run for the train. But then I was like ohhhhh okay you're *actually going to have to train. I'll be honest, the thought of running that far sometimes completely overwhelms me with fear and I have moments where I'm like 'WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING HAYLEY RUBERY BECAUSE YOU CANNOT DO THIS' - but then I'll go out and absolutely smash my run and I know that I have absolutely got this.
So yeah, as it stands I'm currently running the London Marathon 2018 for Age UK. I know I've absolutely digressed here but I wanted to give you guys a little background info on how my place actually came about, and what the hell I'm doing about it! Here are my top five on how to start running, if you hate running...
YOU CAN SPONSOR ME HERE IF YOU WISH - IT WOULD MEAN THE WORLD!
Start gradual: As I said I've never been a runner and I'm not actually joking when I said that, so I always knew I needed to start small. My aunt told me about the Couch to 5K app which gradually trains you to be able to run 5K and I'm now on my 15 minute runs, which in the grand scheme of things, doesn't seem much, but for someone who has never run before, to being able to comfortably run 15 minutes, it's something I'm proud of! If you're looking to start running then I'd highly recommend this app or doing gradual training, you'll be surprise at how quickly your stamina builds up!
Create a banging playlist: Ooooooooof music is SO important whilst training, my headphones actually broke this morning whilst out for a run, so half hour of running in silence wasn't all that fun - it made me really realise the importance of a good playlist and music whilst running! I try and mix up my playlists, sometimes I'll whack a band on as it's great to run to a beat, or I'll just search 'Run' on spotify and pick a playlist - they've all been great so far! I've found that some favourites of mine to run to are The Hunna, Pink and Sean Paul - an absolute mixed bag there but find what works for you and run with it. Quite literally!
Invest in some trainers: One of the first things I did when I started training was invest in some new trainers, I had some 'gym trainers' that I started running in but they gave me really bad shin splints and I quickly realised that they weren't offering me the support I needed. We have a local running shop close by so I popped in and had my running gate done to find the perfect trainers for me. They set me back £150 and I swear to god I nearly cried at the till, BUT I knew that a good pair of trainers is the main thing I need for running a marathon; and it feels like I'm running on air so there's that! Also, a top tip if you're looking for long distance/marathon training but go up a size or two (I'm a size 6 and had to buy an 8), the trainer advised to have at least a thumbnail of space between your big toe and the edge of the trainers, this will allow for when your feet swell during a long run. NICEEEEEEE.
Find your pace: This is such a funny one and something that SO many people said to me, but I never really understood it until I actually found my pace. And don't get me wrong; I feel like quite the running wanker when I tell you all to 'find your pace' but TRUST ME on this one. I usually train on the seafront close to my house as it's the perfect running ground, I'm used to pacing myself and doing my own thing, but, when I was training in New York they have an actual running track in the park - which was great as it was my first experience of training with other people. However, I found myself feeling pressured to keep up with other runners, I soon realised that I needed to find my pace again and stick with it other wise I knew I'd burn out too quickly. I think this is super important for me to remember on the big day as I'll need to pace myself; and this is something I'd definitely tell you guys too! Find that pace and stick to it gal pals!
Accept the bad with the good: I had my first 'bad run' in Boston and I never really understood this until it happened to me. Like I said I was used to training at home, and training in Central Park was amazing and an actual dream come true to me! Then we flew to Boston, I got up feeling groggy after a bad night sleep and headed to the Boston Common for a run but oh my god I couldn't even run for 3 minutes, I don't know why but I absolutely just couldn't get my mind to focus. Sounds so silly because you think you'd just be able to run, but for me a lot of the time it's definitely a mental thing as well as physical! Accept the bad runs with the good, if it's really not happening then don't beat yourself up over it, go home and try again tomorrow!
SHOP WHAT I'M WEARING & MY FAVOURITE WORKOUT WEAR!
[show_shopthepost_widget id="2814679"]
Do you have any tips on running? Did you find it easier to get into once you'd started training? Any tips on long distance/marathon training?