Poor Kid Running: 5 Tips to Get Off the Couch!

  Why running ever became the modern version of the sport where everyone sports 120.00 dollar shoes, fancy GPS watches, wick fiber shirts, and fuel belts is beyond me. I mean, all you really need is some run of the mill shoes (some even go barefoot, which can be fun if it's not too hot out), some gym shorts and you are good to go! Too many people are all hyped up on the fancy gear, but what it comes down to is your ability and drive. But beyond my rant on how the sport meant for everyone has gained upper class status, lets look at some tips to get you off your couch and on the road. Now, I know some of these tips are rather obvious, but we gotta start somewhere!


1. Don't worry about distance
   
    - Instead you should be focused on time. Set a specific time for yourself. Maybe you wanna start with 15 minutes or 30 minutes. Mileage is for runners training for a race, not a newcomer just getting on the road for the first time. Anyone can hit a specified time, while focusing on distance will make it too easy to over compensate for your ability and make goals harder to reach.

2. Start small, but go hard

    - Simple tip for all forms of exercise. People want immediate results, but that ain't going to happen. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your body. We are growing up in a society where everything is immediate. We can get info with the click of a search button on google, no effort required, and this mentality is why people are discouraged form working out. Some people start out too hard to try and reach quick results, which will lead you to crashing and burning. Start small, and increase your time in small increments. Eventually you can change your time method to mileage once you get comfy. Remember, a big goal is made up of tons of smaller ones.

3. Start with the run/walk method

    - Work hard, but don't kill yourself! Do whatever it takes to hit your time you set for yourself, even if that means walking for a bit. Keep this pattern up, run until you can't no more, and than walk. Always try to run as much as you can though, otherwise you won't make any progress.

4. Find a running partner

   - This isn't necessary, but a little support goes a long away and can make your work out much more enjoyable. I'm personally kind of a loner when it comes to running, but whenever I take someone out on a training run and have the company, I have a great time. Give it a shot.

5. Pace yourself

    - If you cannot talk while you are running, you are going too hard! We have different types of pacing. Tempo runs are runs for race training when you go at your race pace. You are usually in a pretty high intensity zone at that point, and that's not where you should be. Take it easy, go slow, take small steps. Be good to your body.

  I'll be posting more running tips in days to come, some for beginners, some for the more advanced. I'll also start posting pictures and videos relating to specific exercises that people can do out in mother nature without a need for a gym membership (Not to bag on gyms, I go to one myself). In the mean time, drink some water, eat some fruit, give a cow a break and skip the burger today. Your body will be happy, which leads to your brain being happy. Quite simple, yet so difficult for most of us to grasp. Oh well, we gotta start somewhere. Remember we all smell, we all poo, we all burp. Even those purty girls out there. Isn't that wonderful? It makes you want to hug everyone you see when you realize that we are all one in the same, and nothing should hold you back from being your best.