Advice from Well-Meaning Experienced Runners
Beginner Runner Village
Runners are the best people, always ready to help beginners, but sometimes they forget to consider what is appropriate for the new runner at that particular time in their running journey. Experienced runners are extremely helpful to beginner runners, but the beginner needs to always stop and think about their situation before being influenced to do anything differently.
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Do You Worry That You Can't Run, That You Can't Become a Runner?
Beginner Runner Village
Virtually anyone can run, can become a runner, but there is a right way to start running, and there are several common, deal-breaking mistakes. A beginner runner needs to know how to begin running. When would-be runners go at it the wrong way, make one or more of the common mistakes, they get discouraged and - incorrectly - believe that it's just not possible for them, for their body and their life, but really, anyone can run.
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Listener Question, What If I Struggle With Motivation?
Beginner Runner Village
The life of a runner requires a daily dose of motivation. While veteran runners may sometimes struggle, beginner runners more frequently find their mojo is missing, and they need running inspiration. Coach Deb provides insight into the running mindset every beginner runner needs in order to maintain the motivation to get out there and put in the miles, day in and day out.
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How Many Days to Run When 6 Months Into Running
Beginner Runner Village
The last episode answered the listener question, "How many days should I run?" That answered the question for someone at the very beginning of their running journey, but the answer is different for a beginner who is six months along. This episode answers the same question for that runner but also explains how to build running mileage even at three miles a week. It explains the strategy of how to safely and efficiently build mileage, how many miles to build up your running mileage base, and how and why to incorporate the once-weekly long run.
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Listener Question, How Often Should I Run?
Beginner Runner Village
Getting this right will make the beginner runner's journey much easier, much more comfortable, and lead to health instead of injuries. In this episode, Deb explains how often a beginner runner should run while also providing the reasoning behind the plan. Understanding this reasoning is key to long-term running success.
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Do This in 2020 to Prepare to Become a Runner in 2021
Beginner Runner Village
Finish 2020 strong,ready to make 2021 a breakout year. Many people back off of fitness during the holidays, but that is a mistake. Be consistent, and use your running as therapy to help you through this tough time. Plan now to crush 2021. Use this last month to build momentum, and you will start the next year with the best possible attitude, ready for the challenge of a pandemic that will be with us for a while.
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How to Overcome Beginner Runner Struggles
Beginner Runner Village
For any beginner runner, knowing how to handle certain aspects of training and being prepared for challenges will make it possible to avoid pitfalls, even failures. This knowledge will provide the confidence needed to manage inevitable setbacks and take problems in stride much like the veteran runner is able to do, ensuring success and continued momentum toward that goal of becoming a runner.
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Beginner Runner Class, Day 10, Diagnostic Test, Evaluation and Implementation
Beginner Runner Village
This is it! You’ve been learning about what to do for nine days. Think of this as graduation day, the day you get the last, but most critical, piece of the puzzle. Today, you find out exactly what you should do, and I mean you, personally, should do on Day 1 of your running journey. Today, is your diagnostic run.
Beginner Runner Village Class, Day 9, Turtle Power
Beginner Runner Village
Beginner Runner Class, Day 8, Running for Weight Loss
Beginner Runner Village
Weight loss – or management – plays a role in the life of virtually every runner. Either they start running to lose weight or they’ve already lost weight, and they want to become a runner to help them maintain that weight loss. Too, some runners run because they’re worried that their weight will gradually creep up if they don’t get lots of exercise to offset the calories of the food they consume.
I've heard the phrase, 'turtle power,' for years, always from slower runners, usually in an upbeat, positive way, an "I'm fine with that" way, but sometimes they utter he words apologetically, and that makes me sad, because running, your running, everyone's running should be what they want it to be and what is right for that person.
Often, these are beginner runners, but not always. It is my hope that after listening to this episode, no one listening will ever feel bad, in any way, about being a slower runner.
What is slow, anyway? It's all relative, isn't it? When an Olympian runs a 6-minute-miles, it's an off day. Most runners will never see that faster side of 9 minutes, and some will always run 12-minute miles, and I sure hope those people don't apologize for that because there is no reason. To me, that's like apologizing because you have brown hair.
If anyone ever makes you feel like your pace is too slow, then that person is just being unkind and isn't worth worrying about. In fact, they probably feel inferior in some other way. You have as much right to go your own pace and be happy with it as any other runner has a race to go the pace that is comforrable for them.
After all, running is an individual sport. One of the nost enjoyable elements of running is that anyone can do it; you don't need to be a gifted athlete, but I sure hope you do realize that anyone at any pace is an athlete.
Turtle Power is a mantra of slower runners everywhere, and so it should be. I hope it's empowers slower runners. If you're a slower runner, and since you're a beginner, you probaby are, own it; don't apologize for it. Feel the power.