Hello,
I'm Mervi Eskelinen!
An artist, nerd and sorcerer, dedicated to make world softer and better for everyone, and to get you to make more art. Make art, change the world!
Running tips from a slow casual runner
Are you a casual runner? You are likely to have been getting tips from running coaches and pro runners. Good tips, helpful and all. If you are like me, a casual runner, not seriously serious and not for competitions, the tips from pros may discourage you.
Firstly I'm not a professional running coach or a marathon girl with years of experience of running. I'm a casual runner, very slow and I take breaks due to winter or just cause I don't feel like it.
Here are my quick tips for my fellow casual (and most likely not very fast) runners.
- The faster runners with their tips mean well, though they don't understand how YOU function. Listen and nod and then do what feels good for you.
- Get good running shoes. Seriously. They make your running feel easier in general.
- It's quite okay to run wearing that old t-shirt and those old sweat pants or shorts. The latest fashion won't make you any faster.
- Breathing methods? Try not to get too into them if they don't feel good. You might only tire yourself trying to "breathe right". Just remember to breathe.
- Track your run. Distance and time, at least. This way you'll know if there's been any tiniest improvement and that's awesome.
- When you do track your run refrain from comparing your results to others'. It's depressing. Besides other people have longer legs, bigger muscles, more practice or other reasons they are faster than you. Or slower.
- Listen to your body. If your leg hurts, give it a rest. There's no use to get yourself injured and if running feels often bad you won't be encouraged to continue with it.
- You don't have to be incredibly fast to get the benefits of the running. Walking is healthy as well. It's quite okay to take breaks and walk.
- Don't run every day of the week. You'll only hurt yourself.
- Never run thirsty or hungry. Don't eat or drink too much right before the run, yet make sure you won't faint on the way.
- Find a nice path, admire the scenery, smile to cute dogs. It's not serious, so have fun.
Do you have any tips for a casual runner? Or have you been discouraged from running by too much advice? Did someone give you a gem of an advice that changed everything for you? Do tell!
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