So You Want To Run (2nd Get Live Magazine article)

We’ve all been to the gym and noticed that one person who makes you feel like a total wimp. You know, that person who is running on the treadmill next to you when you get there and still going strong when you’re getting ready to leave.  Some people are just born to run. Others need to train their bodies to be able to last longer than a quarter mile. If you want to become a runner but think there is no way you could run to the mailbox and back, have no fear, Couch to 5k is here!

Couch to 5k, also called C25k, has to be the easiest training program for beginner runners. It’s designed to help the “non-runners” complete a 5k, or 3.1 miles, in just two months. To be ready for a 5k in two months, C25k requires runners to train three days a week. The program starts by alternating walking with running. For example, on day one you would alternate 60 seconds of walking with 90 seconds of jogging. Each week your running time will increase as your walking time decreases, usually adding up to a 20 to 30 minute workout. By the end of the two months, running for a solid thirty minutes, or 3.1 miles, will seem like nothing.

The easiest way to make yourself train to run a 5k is to find one and sign up. It’s more likely that you will train for a race if you actually pay for it. A good way to get your feet wet is to make your first race an untimed one. Yes, there will still be a clock at the finish line that says how long the race has been going for, but it wont necessarily show the time you finished the race in. Untimed races are good for beginners because you don’t have to worry about what place you got or if you have set a personal record. First timers should try to line up towards the back. Lining up near the front will allow seasoned runners to fly past you making you feel like you need to push harder. Trust me, this wont end well for you. Your first race should be a fun race. Make your second race a timed one, that way you will already know how race day works and you wont run into any surprises. 

As time goes on, you’ll notice your times are shrinking and your confidence is growing. You’ll probably also notice that you are starting the race somewhere in the middle of the pack, rather than the back. You may even decide that a 5k race has become too easy and you’re ready to kick it up a notch and train for a 10k.

And don’t forget to take advantage of all the free goodies after the race!