So You Want to Be a Runner? Here’s 4 Steps to Becoming One

This is a sponsored post on behalf New Balance. 

When I was younger I was always running- and not just late. I ran when I played softball, I ran when I played basketball, and of course I ran in track. But that was before a husband, three kids, a full-time and a part-time job, and all the stuff that comes with it. So obviously after years of spending a whole lot of time running around, but not a whole lot of time just running for myself it became very hard to pick up where I had left off so many years ago. Pretty much I was starting from scratch, a newbie learning the ropes again. As I’ve begun my journey I wanted to share what’s helped me get back on the track.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others.  There are a few things that everyone can do to become a runner, which we will address in this post. However, don’t compare your progress to anyone elses. Only you know what your body can handle and what it can do in a certain time period. Some may be running a mile in a week, others it make take months. Just be proud that you are making the steps to get there.

Make a Plan. Most successful runners didn’t just wake up one day and say, “Today I’m going to run 2 miles” They laid out steps to get there. Set a goal, and figure out a way to get there. I started out simple and worked my way up – I would work out for 40 minutes a day, 20 minutes at a time. For the first 5 minutes I walked (warmed up) then I would jog 1 minute, walk 4 and do it in intervals. The last minute of my 20 minutes I would run as fast as I could. I did this twice a day (mostly because of my schedule, and also because I get bored fast running on a treadmill). Within a few weeks I was walking 3 minutes, jogging 1, and working my way up. Set goals for yourself and keeping setting goals as you meet them.

Don’t Under Estimate the Power of REST. I know that everyone says it – to get a good nights sleep.. 8 hours a night..and we all seem to let it go in one ear and out the other. But sleep is MANDATORY not only for a less stressed life, but if you are serious about being a runner it’s a must. If you don’t believe me, try this – get 8 plus hours a sleep a night for 2 weeks straight. Then get a night where you only get about 5-6 and then hit the trail or the treadmill and tell me how you feel – then come back and tell me I was right!

Invest in Good Shoes. I have to admit I scoffed a bit when someone told me I needed to buy shoes specific to running. I mean sneakers are sneakers right??? Wrong.. there are so many factors that go into the type of shoe you need for a specific activity. I have always been a huge New Balance fan – I used them for basketball and everyday shoes, so when I ordered my first pair of New Balance Fresh Foam Zante running shoes I was pretty excited.

The Fresh Foam Zantes offer a smooth heel to toe transition helping you feel fast and the lightweight of the shoes help keeps the weight down from the heel strike to toe off. A lot of running shoes seem to be super heavy and weigh you down, but I don’t feel that way with my Fresh Foam Zantes. They are also super comfortable, and have the extra coushin in the heel for foot protection.
They come in different colors and styles for men and women, and you can find them on newbalance.com or your local retailer (They do carry them at Foot Locker, and on Zappos!)
Be sure you know your proper size, and if you’re unsure visit a local running store for measurements.