So You Want To Be a Runner
A Simple Jargon Free Guide
For Beginners
John Welsh
Published by John Welsh at Smashwords
Copyright 2012 John Welsh
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Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 2 - Why Do You Want To Begin Running
Chapter 3 - Those First Strides
Chapter 4 - The Training Schedule
Chapter 6 - Avoiding and Coping with Injuries
Chapter 1 - Introduction
So you’ve bought the book!
You must be very serious in wanting to become a runner.
You’ve obviously have your reasons, but more importantly, you want to begin but are unsure as to the way forward.
What I cannot promise is that you’ll become an Olympic athlete in a few weeks. You never know, you may have untapped potential which is just waiting to be unleashed.
I will assume that you haven’t been running outside since schooldays, and so it could be many or just a few years since those cross country and sports days at school. Some people enjoyed this and quite a few didn’t and it’s surprising how many of those who hated running at school want to resume the sport at a later date.
What is it about running that attracts so many people, large and small, fit and unfit alike. You see it every year in the big events, London and New York Marathons, Great North Run and the multitude of 10k’s. The events attract thousands with some being oversubscribed, and the routes are lined with spectators cheering on loved ones or just standing there for the occasion.
Basically, running is a good way of keeping fit, and pounding the streets is free to all people – it’s just that some streets are safer than others, and I’ll leave that judgement to the reader wherever they may live.
All it costs is pair of running shoes, an old tee-shirt (unless you are aiming to win a fashion contest), a pair of shorts and some socks. Added layers will be needed if you are running in less hospitable climates, although I will also assume that you are not thinking of running in the Canadian Tundra or in the depths of a Siberian Winter.
So, what will be covered in this book?
The simple answer is – the basic essentials needed to begin running and a point which I cannot emphasise enough, ENJOYING it. The book will look at your motivations, those first strides, training, potential racing and also the social aspect of running, which from first-hand experience can considerably enhance the fun aspect of the sport.
Injuries are another issue which needs discussing as these as in any sport can be easily avoided, but can just as simply be managed given the correct treatment.
What I can promise in that there will be no jargon, just common sense old fashioned advice from a runner with over 30 years of experience in the sport and who believes in telling it as it is. When you think about it, running is a simple sport practised by mankind for years, whether it be escaping angry hungry predators or just galloping after the morning bus to work.
Some people are born with the natural ability to run, while the vast majority of the human race consider running as pastime or hobby or quite simply don’t bother.
Also, there is one important point to mention. This book is about running and not jogging. Jogging is basically a slow form of running, whereas sprinting is a fast way of running. People walk and run and there are terms to describe various forms of these movements. As far as this book is concerned running is in and jogging is out.
Furthermore, as most of my running activity has been based in the UK, I will be drawing most of my experiences from my native land. I will also be using miles more widely than kilometres. 5km is roughly 3.1 miles.
By buying this book you have obviously given it serious thought and as I mentioned before, there may be an untapped gift for the sport just lurking inside your body.
I will also emphasize that a lot of the advice given is based on my opinion and experiences. I am not the official guru on running, there are many runners out there who may have vastly different opinions to mine and I see no problem with that. Remember, this is a guide, and others may have alternative views to mine. That is what is so good about the sport – there will always be somebody with a new idea or tip which works and goes against the grain.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started and start exploring this strange world of the runner and see if you want to become one of us.
Chapter 2 - Why Do You Want to Begin Running?
I was asked exactly the same question when I started running.
What do you want to do that for?
Exercise is no good for you.
I bet you give up after a few weeks.
Are you trying to win an Olympic gold medal?
Are you going to be the new Usain Bolt?
I could go on forever about the number of occasions when my sanity has been questioned, none more so than the night I decided to venture out for a run.
I was in my very early twenties, and my mother and father gave me look which was a mixture of horror and sarcasm. Me, going out for a run, its dark out there, you might fall down, don’t be daft.