50 ways to become a better runner

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    50

    Way

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    to

    bea

    BetterRu

    nner

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    Contents

    Page

    01 Introduction 3

    02 Gear and equipment 3

    03 Pre-run 5

    04 During your run 7

    05 Running technique 9

    06 Training methods 10

    07 Post-run 12

    08 Food and drink 14

    09 Motivation 16

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    Do you want to become a better runner? Whether youre just starting out or consider yourself a running veteran,

    making improvements can often be harder than you might think. This training guide will give you 50 top tips that

    will change that. From running technique to what you should do before and after your training sessions, well be

    covering a wide range of topics that will set you well on your way to becoming a better runner.

    Introduction

    1. Get kitted out

    Before you even step out the door to start your quest to becoming a better runner, there are a few things

    you need to consider. First of all, its time to throw away that old pair of battered trainers and the dusty

    T-shirt you grab from the back of the wardrobe to go for a run in. We really cant stress enough the

    difference suitable running gear will make to your progress. As well as making you more comfortable

    when you run, itll help you avoid injuries, improve your speed, and generally make your training a more

    enjoyable experience.

    2. Find the right running shoes

    The rst piece of gear well discuss, and easily the most important, is the footwear you use to run in.

    Were not exaggerating when we say that your choice of running shoes can make or break your running

    career. The world of running shoes is full of jargon, marketing ploys and celebrity endorsements, and

    can be confusing for rst time buyers. To combat this, head to a specialist running shop. Youll be

    given an in-depth analysis of your running style, and the in-store experts should be able to recommend

    footwear that is perfectly suited to you. Itll be more expensive than a generic sports retailer, but trust us,

    this is a price well worth paying if you want to improve your running.

    3. Make your shoes last

    When youve nally decided on the perfect pair of running shoes and parted with your hard earned

    cash, its important to take care of them correctly. The number one enemy of running shoes is excessive

    moisture. Rather than putting them on a radiator (which will dry them too fast and damage the materials)

    ll them with newspaper. The newspaper will draw out the moisture and dry the shoes without damaging

    them. Thisll also make sure your trainers stay stink-free, which is an added bonus we can all get on

    board with. Of course, running shoes need to be replaced eventually (after 300-500 miles), but keeping

    them in good condition until then will do your running progress the world of good.

    Gear and equipment

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    4. Try specialist running socks

    Surely a sock is a sock, right? Wrong. If youve spent weeks researching and testing various running

    shoes, buying a pack of regular cotton socks to go with them is likely to undo all of your hard work.

    The technology of running socks is continually evolving, and you can now buy pairs that reduce the

    development of blisters, ease the pressure on your Achilles tendon, and generally prevent injuries.

    Again, visit a specialist running shop and ask for recommendations. Youll probably want to go for a pair

    with double-layered fabric. This double layer eases the amount of friction on your feet and draws awaymoisture, acting to reduce two of the prime causes of painful running blisters.

    5. Wear appropriate clothing

    One thing that appeals to people about running is the fact you can do it in almost anything. However,

    whilst its true that you can head out for a run in any old T-shirt, its not a great idea, and if you want to

    start making improvements you need to invest in specialised running clothing. Look out for clothing that

    is both lightweight and breathable, so as to keep your body cool as you run. The best fabrics to look out

    for are ones that offer wicking, which means they will move sweat away from your body, keeping you

    cooler and allowing better air circulation through the fabric.

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    6. Avoid joggers nipple

    Although it may sound mildly amusing, theres really nothing funny about joggers nipple at all. Seriously.

    Stop laughing. Joggers nipple most commonly affects men, and although it seems trivial it can really

    affect your running performance. Combat it by wearing non-abrasive clothing, which is reasonably tight

    tting and has sweat-wicking properties. If its particularly bad you can protect problem areas with a

    lubricant such as petroleum jelly to create a nipple-protecting barrier between your clothing and your

    skin. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your nipples are safe and sound whilst running is notto be underestimated.

    7. Stay safe

    Depending on where you live and how serious you are about your training, its possible that you will nd

    yourself going for a run in the dark at some stage. Plenty of todays modern running clothing will come

    with built-in reective strips, which will keep you visible to motorists and pedestrians alike, but if not you

    can buy stand-alone reective bands from running shops. If you use an MP3 player when you run, youll

    need to take extra care when crossing roads, and generally be alert to other dangers. Once you have

    done everything you can to be safe, youll soon nd yourself feeling more relaxed and calm as you train.

    8. Make use of gadgets

    When you just cant seem to make any more improvements with your running, it might be time to turn

    to technology for a helping hand. There is a seemingly endless amount of running gadgets and gizmos

    on offer to help you with your training. One worthwhile purchase you should denitely make is a decent

    heart rate monitor. Using a heart rate monitor will allow you to make your training as effective as

    possible, which can be achieved by working in certain percentage zones of your maximum heart rate

    depending on how intense you want your session to be. You can also get speed and distance monitors,

    which will accurately record running time, distance, and most importantly, pace.

    9. Choose the right underwear

    Although there are plenty of running specic underwear products out there, this is one area where you

    should be ne with regular garments. However, men should try to make sure that their underwear is not

    too baggy, so boxer shorts are a big no-no. Likewise, women need to be properly supported, so a decent

    sports bra is an absolute must. A good sports bra should be secure (but not too tight), and cause no

    discomfort when running. If youre a fairly serious runner, make sure you replace your sports bra roughly

    once every four months to ensure youre always fully supported.

    Pre-run10. Warm up

    Warming up correctly before you run is one of the best ways of avoiding injuries and improving your

    training sessions. To start your warm-up youll want to lubricate your joint surfaces by gently movingeach of the major joints through its full range of motion. Next you should perform some gentle aerobic

    activity for around ve minutes, such as brisk walking. This will raise your body temperature and heart

    rate, and prepare you for your run. After (and only after) you are fully warmed up you can perform light

    stretches to loosen your muscles, focussing on any areas that feel tight or tense.

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    10. Warm up

    Warming up correctly before you run is one of the best ways of avoiding injuries and improving your

    training sessions. To start your warm-up youll want to lubricate your joint surfaces by gently moving

    each of the major joints through its full range of motion. Next you should perform some gentle aerobic

    activity for around ve minutes, such as brisk walking. This will raise your body temperature and heart

    rate, and prepare you for your run. After (and only after) you are fully warmed up you can perform light

    stretches to loosen your muscles, focussing on any areas that feel tight or tense.

    11. Create SMART goals

    No doubt you have a few personal goals when it comes to your running progress, but are those goals

    SMART? SMART is an easy to remember acronym that lists everything a good running goal should be:

    Specic, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-related. For a goal to be specic and measurable,

    it should be precise rather than general, and be able to be accurately measured with a GPS, stopwatch

    or other device. Making sure your goals are achievable and realistic will ensure you arent left feeling

    demoralised after failing to reach an impossible goal. Finally, set a time related deadline for your goal so

    your improvement has a relevant time frame to work towards.

    12. Develop a schedule

    Aimless running when you feel like it is all well and good, but its never going to lead to serious

    improvements. Instead, you need to create or nd a training schedule and stick to it as closely as

    possible. If you dont feel comfortable creating your own schedule, consider using a professionally

    compiled training plan. Not to blow our own trumpet or anything, but realbuzz.com has training plans

    to suit everyone from complete beginners to veteran runners. When youre choosing or compiling your

    training schedule its important to be as realistic as possible, as changing to a more or less advanced

    plan after a few weeks can be a complicated process.

    13. Plan your route

    It might seem tempting to head out of your door, start running and see where you end up. However,

    whilst exciting and liberating, this is not a good way to become a better runner. If you dont know how

    far youve run, you wont be able to work out your pace, or how the distance contributes to your training

    regime. Instead, plan running routes beforehand over a set distance and direction. Utilising technology

    such as the realbuzz.com Maps tool allows you to scope out new routes, and accurately gauge their

    distance at the same time.

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    14. Dont run before you can walk

    All too often people decide they are going to take up running and dive in headrst. They throw onany old clothes and shoes, head out the door and start sprinting. Wow, this is easy! they think to

    themselves. Fast forward 10 minutes and theyre hunched over against a tree, desperately sucking in air

    as a concerned dog walker asks if they need an ambulance. Dont let this be you. When you rst start

    running, dont be afraid to start off by walking to ease yourself into the exercise. As you improve your

    endurance you can start alternating between intervals of walking and running, until you are able to run

    comfortably at a consistent pace without having to walk.

    15. Try trail running

    Flat roads and pavements are perfectly good for training on, but to make improvements as a runneryoull need to mix things up a bit. Training on the uneven surfaces of trails will make you far more aware

    of how you are running, which over time improves technique and strength. Throw in the hills often found

    on trails which boost endurance and speed, and this becomes a seriously challenging yet rewarding

    method of running. As an added bonus, the soft surface of the trails will reduce the impact of your

    footfalls, which will put less strain on your body as you run.

    16. Run consistently

    If youre short on free time, it might seem tempting to condense a weeks worth of running training into

    one super long run to end all runs once a week. This is not a good idea. Consistency is the key whenit comes to running progress, and multiple shorter runs over the course of a week will help your body

    gradually adapt and build strength and endurance. Cramming this all into one run, however, will be a

    shock to the system your body may not be prepared for, which lengthens recovery time and increases

    the risk for injury.

    17. Learn to love the exercise high

    Ever experienced that magical feeling of unmatched joy when out for a run? Thats the exercise high.

    Researchers have been looking into this phenomenon for years and believe the sense of mental

    wellbeing achieved when running is due to a combination of exercise-induced endorphins and

    psychological factors. One thing is for sure though once youve experienced it youll be back for more.

    As soon as youve pushed past the point where running becomes an enjoyable activity instead of a

    chore, youll soon notice both physical and mental improvements to your approach to running.

    18. Listen to fast paced music

    As much as we love it, even we can admit running gets boring from time to time. Luckily for runners the

    world over, its now easier than ever to listen to music on the move. Your running sessions will y by if

    you make a playlist of your favourite songs to listen to while you train. Motivating factors aside, music

    has even been scientically proven to improve running performance. A study, published in the Journal of

    Sport and Exercise Psychology, found that when participants listened to fast-paced music and synced

    their pace with the beats per minute of the songs, endurance improved by 15 per cent.

    During your run

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    19. Run by a playlist

    As well as helping you to push through the pain and keep up a decent pace, music can be used to

    gradually extend the length of your runs. If you are just starting out running you can create a short

    playlist with the aim of running for the full length of it. When you can do this, add a new song to the

    playlist. As your playlist builds up over time so will your distance, and adding the songs one by one

    should make the progression a manageable one. When the playlist is getting too big, you can start to

    mix things up by using the different songs as cues for interval training.

    20. Dont overtrain

    You might think that becoming a better runner simply means putting more miles in, but increased

    distance does not always mean progress. In fact, its quite the opposite sometimes. If youve overtrained,

    youll know all about it. Youll feel a general sense of fatigue, aches and pains you arent usually used

    to, and even a drop in concentration when performing day-to-day tasks. We dont have to tell you that

    this can put a sizeable spanner in the works of your running career. Theres nothing wrong with pushing

    for that little bit extra effort, but if you think doubling the distances in your training plan will benet you,

    youre in for a nasty surprise.

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    21. Improve your posture

    Running is tough enough as it is, so you dont want to make things harder for yourself by doing it thewrong way. Developing a smooth and efcient running technique will make a world of difference, and

    once youve got into the habit of doing it you wont even have to think about it. One common running

    mistake is to let your posture suffer as you become tired. Make sure you are facing directly ahead rather

    than at the ground, with your head held reasonably still. Your body shouldnt be bolt upright, but instead at

    around 90 per cent.

    22. Use your arms

    Although running obviously involves your legs, people often forget that the arms are an important aspect

    of running technique. When running correctly your arms should be positioned relatively low on your body.Try to make sure they are lightly brushing your waist as you run. This leaves your cardiovascular system

    open, enabling it to function more efciently, and also reduces the strain on your shoulders, which helps

    avoid injury. Your arms should also be swinging as you run. This greatly improves your efciency, and a

    piston like movement will drive you forward more effectively as you run.

    23. Develop a breathing technique

    We know, we know; rst we told you socks arent socks and now were telling you that you dont even

    know how to breathe properly. But hear us out. Were all used to the sight of the exhausted jogger who

    sounds like an outboard motor as they amble past, and you might have even been guilty of this yourself.Rather than frequently exhaling, make sure you are breathing in deeply on a regular basis as well. This

    will help to open up the heart and lungs, increasing the amount of oxygen in your body and making

    running easier. Even such a small change will make a big difference to the effectiveness of your training

    sessions.

    24. Count your steps

    It might sound more boring than watching paint dry, but counting your steps as you run is a great way of

    making improvements. Sports scientists have identied 180 steps per minute as the optimum running

    pace, and the nearer you can get to that the better. This pace keeps your strides short and purposeful,which uses up far less energy than lengthy strides. Over time this will make your running style far more

    efcient, and youll soon notice improvements in your speed and endurance. Once youve tried it a few

    times youll get into the habit of counting your steps, and itll happen without even having to think about it.

    25. Book a session with a coach

    You can read every bit of running information you can get your hands on, whether its training guides,

    websites or books, but nothing can quite match the expert eye of a professional running coach. Running

    coaches are trained to analyse peoples running styles, training regimes and diets, and a bit of expert

    input can lead to a serious running breakthrough. This level of expertise comes with a price tag to match,but even splashing out on a single session could be hugely benecial. Youll be able to learn how to

    perfect your running technique, when to train, and how to eat properly to fuel your progress.

    Running technique

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    26. Try cross-training

    If youve reached a frustrating plateau with your running progress, it might be time to try cross-training.

    Cross-training involves taking part in activities in addition to running to complement your training. Findingalternative ways to work your system reduces the continual high impact work on your joints, and it can help

    avoid monotony and boredom by adding a bit of variety. Your cross-training should include a core regime of

    cardiovascular training, strength training, and exibility training. Whatever your training level, cross-training

    can help you get the results you want and improve as a runner.

    27. Add hills to your routes

    Running along at surfaces is all well and good, but if you really want to improve and challenge yourself you

    need to start adding some hill work into your training. Hill training adds variety to your running sessions, and

    the added effort involved helps to build up your leg muscles, improve your technique, and generally makeyou a better runner. Whats not to like? If the options are limited in your area your best bet will be hill interval

    training. Find a reasonably sized hill and (after warming up of course) jog up it around six to eight times with

    slow walks back to the bottom for recovery.

    28. Interval training

    Planned and controlled interval training is a great way of making improvements to your running abilities.

    Interval training can be tailored to your skill level, but experienced runners will probably see the most

    benets from it. The technique of interval training involves setting a distance of high intensity, followed up

    by a much slower cool down period. This can then be repeated as many times as necessary. By keeping

    track of interval times and distances youll be able to track your progress and increase the intensity of your

    interval training appropriately. If you have no means of measuring your distance, then a nearby running

    track is the perfect place to try interval training.

    Training methods

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    29. Fartlek training

    Since its creation by Swedish running master Gsta Holmr in 1937, fartlek (speed play) has taken on

    legendary status in the running world and rightfully so. This technique involves setting markers on your

    route for short bursts of alternating speed. Anything can be used as a marker on your route, which will

    signify when you should start and stop sprinting think of it as a more explosive and continuous form of

    interval training. Over time fartlek will give you a serious boost to your endurance and overall tness by

    developing the strength of your heart and lungs. Its worth noting that this is a technique for more advancedrunners who are looking to cut seconds off their times, rather than beginners.

    30. Improve your exibility

    You might not be able to see a direct correlation between exibility training and running, but we can assure

    you there is one. Flexibility exercises such as yoga and Pilates have a whole host of benets that can

    be applied to running, including the development of strength, exibility, range of motion and breathing

    technique. Recovery time will also be decreased, as your muscles develop and your strength increases.

    Theyre also perfect for runners who are suffering from injuries the low impact nature of the exercises

    means you can maintain your tness levels without exacerbating existing problems.

    31. Try aqua-running

    When you think of aqua exercises, you could be forgiven for thinking of aqua-aerobics classes full

    of elderly people and pregnant women. However, aqua jogging is a serious workout that will result in

    noticeable benets to your running abilities. The name says it all really aqua running involves jogging in a

    swimming pool, either on the bottom of the pool or using a otation device. Working your way through the

    water is a great method of resistance training, which develops exibility and muscle strength. For those of

    you who are injured and have a serious craving for running, aqua-jogging is the perfect way to maintain your

    training without slowing your recovery.

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    32. Treat yourself to a sports massage

    Now before you get your hopes up, were not talking about a cucumbers over your eyes whilst relaxing

    music plays style massage, nice as they are. Sports massages can in fact be slightly painful if done

    correctly, as they are designed to directly stretch and reduce tension in the muscles used for running. This

    shouldnt put you off, as the mild discomfort felt is well worth it in the long run. As well as helping to prevent

    and treat injuries, sports massages can decrease recovery time, boost your running performance, and

    reduce the amount of pain felt while youre running.

    33. Take an ice bath

    We warn you now; this is not going to be enjoyable. As you try to improve as a runner you will no doubt be

    increasing your mileage, which brings with it a heightened risk of injury. You can combat this by taking an ice

    bath, preferably after your longest run of the week. The ice bath will help to signicantly limit post-workout

    swelling by constricting blood vessels and decreasing metabolic activity. All it takes to enjoy these benets

    is 10 to 20 minutes in the ice bath, although it might feel like 10 to 20 hours. Trust us; the discomfort is well

    worth it.

    34. Dont let injuries stop you

    As you gradually put more and more miles into your training, its a sad fact of life that as a runner you are

    likely to suffer from an injury. All too often runners pick up a knock or pull a muscle and let it affect theirtraining far more than it should. However, while injuries are denitely annoying, they shouldnt mean the

    end of your running progress. As soon as you suffer from an injury you need to start taking the steps to

    recovery, such as icing the affected area, getting a sports massage, or lightly stretching the muscle. If you

    are sidelined from running by injury there are still plenty of ways to maintain tness, such as swimming and

    exibility training.

    35. Learn from running

    Were all for reading every book and training guide you can get your hands on, but the person who knows

    your body best is you. Experts can only give general advice to runners, which might be completely differentto what works best for you. If youre following a strict training regime and it doesnt seem to be doing

    anything for you, dont be afraid to make some minor adjustments to personalise it slightly. As long as its

    not drastic, adapting your runs to work in tune with your body can only be a good thing.

    Post-run

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    36. Sleep more

    Sleep allows your body to recover from the exertions of the day, and if you arent getting enough sleep your

    body isnt recovering properly. Its that simple. Everyone needs a different amount of sleep to recover fully,

    so its a good idea to start with the recommended eight hours a night and adjust accordingly. If you really

    want to use sleep to optimise your running, you can keep a sleep diary. Note down when you went to bed,

    how long you slept for, and how you felt in the morning and in subsequent training sessions. Youll soon geta good idea of what your optimum amount of sleep is.

    37. Cool down

    While most people try to warm-up for their runs in some form or another, cooling down is an oft-ignored

    aspect of running that denitely shouldnt be. When we run (or perform any other exercise for that matter)

    bi-products such as lactic acid, hydrogen ions and carbon dioxide accumulate. Performing a cool-down

    will help to clear these bi-products. Doing this will noticeably decrease recovery times after runs, which will

    improve your running ability over time. Start your cool-down by gradually decreasing the speed of your run

    rather than stopping abruptly, and then performing some light stretches.

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    38. Stay hydrated

    This might sound like an obvious one, but youd be amazed how many people dont stay properly hydrated

    when theyre running. Aside from the fact it can negatively affect your running, a lack of water in the body

    whilst exercising can lead to serious health problems. Whereas taking water on a run used to be a chore

    with cumbersome bottles ruining your form, there are now plenty of options such as belts and ergonomically

    designed water containers, so there is no excuse not to stay hydrated. The amount youll need during the

    run will vary depending on distance and weather conditions, so try taking frequent small sips until you nd a

    suitable balance of frequency and amount.

    39. Treat your body like a car

    Think of your body like a car if you want it to run at its best, you need to put the right fuel in it. Even the

    most dedicated of runners can have their progress halted by a poor diet. Carbohydrates are a hugely

    important part of any runners diet, as theyll give you the energy needed to fuel your workouts. Remember,

    whilst you shouldnt over indulge on food throughout the day, its important you are still eating a sufcient

    amount. You might think by cutting out food you will aid weight loss, but if you dont have enough energy

    for your training sessions they will not be a pleasant experience and could lead to over-compensating with

    unhealthy foods later in the day.

    40. Dont eat directly before a workout

    Yes, we did just tell you that you need to eat food to fuel your training sessions, but hear us out. Running

    on a full-to-the-brim stomach can end in many ways, and none of them are much fun. Cramps, stitches and

    an upset stomach can all result from running shortly after eating a large meal, and trust us when we say

    you dont want to experience any of these. Try to leave two to three hours between a meal and an exercise

    session and youll save yourself a lot of running discomfort.

    41. Refuel

    Most people dont feel hungry immediately after a run, so how can you refuel post-workout? Weve got two

    words for you: sports drinks. As well as the obvious replacement of uids, sports drinks have a whole host

    of benets. Theyll provide your body with electrolytes and carbohydrates, which will speed up the recovery

    and refuelling process. However, make sure you select a sugar-free version. Some sports drinks are packed

    with sugar and articial sweeteners, which will denitely not be benecial to your running career. Some also

    contain a high amount of caffeine, which you should also steer clear of.

    Food and drink

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    42. Eat easily digestible fruit

    Fruit is natures answer to a healthy sugar high, and it provides carbohydrates to boost your energy levels

    when youre running. Fresh fruit such as bananas and apples are loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, and

    bre, making this a fantastic way to give you a natural boost of energy before your training session, and a

    great way to recover afterwards. Make sure you opt for easily digestible fruit as those that are hard to digest

    such as those from the citrus family could hinder your exercise by causing stomach cramps, which anyveteran runner will tell you is not a fun experience.

    43. Cut back on alcohol

    This probably wont be the most popular of tips, but making serious running improvements involves cutting

    back on a few vices, of which alcohol is one of the main ones. Dont worry; were not saying you need to

    become a tee-total saint for the rest of your life. However, whilst acceptable in moderation, alcohol does

    absolutely no favours for your body or your running progress when drank in excess. A boozy night out on

    the town might seem like a good idea at the time, but when youve woken up and missed a run because of ahangover you might just change your mind.

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    44. Sign up for an event

    Finding the motivation to improve as a runner can be difcult, especially when you dont have a goal toaim for. Remedy this by signing yourself up for an event. Depending on your skill level it can be anything

    from a 5k fun run to a full marathon whatever will challenge you as a runner and give you a target to work

    towards. Make sure you tell everyone you possibly can that you are going to be running the event. This will

    give you an extra level of commitment, and ensure you dont back out of the event.

    45. Try somewhere new

    As you pass that same old lamppost on that same old route for seemingly the millionth time, ask yourself

    this: what is stopping you from running somewhere new? All too often runners nd a route they like and

    stick to it religiously, eventually working themselves into a boredom induced running rut. The next timeyou are about to head out for a run around your usual route, set off in the complete opposite direction. Or

    even better yet, hop in the car and head somewhere youve never been before and start running. The new

    scenery will eliminate the tedium of your previous routine, and inject new life and interest into your running

    career.

    46. Dont make excuses

    There will be countless times in your running career when you are fully prepared for a training session, only

    to open the door and be met with rain, snow, or any other host of poor weather conditions. This is not an

    excuse to skip your training. A bit of light rain never hurt anybody, so unless there is a chance of injury dueto the weather, get out there and complete the training you planned to do. If not, you can head to the gym

    and complete the distance on a treadmill, or work on some cross training. No successful athlete ever got

    anywhere by skipping training sessions, and if you want to improve you need to have the same mind-set.

    47. Keep a training log

    If you are serious about your training then it is likely that you will be running hundreds of miles over time.

    Rather than letting these miles get forgotten, try to keep track of them in a training log. Recording your miles

    is a great motivator, and allows you to accurately chart your training and progress over time. Whether its

    a simple running diary made with a pen and paper, or a high tech online training record, this log will be atraining companion that you will grow to know and love. Online training logs are particularly effective, as

    they allow you to share your progress with friends and family, who can then offer up encouragement and

    advice.

    48. Run for charity

    Although running is a very personal journey, theres nothing to say you cant help others as you do it.

    Raising money for charity is a fantastic way to give your training purpose, and will provide you with an

    admirable goal to work towards. It doesnt matter what kind of event youre interested in charities will be

    happy to have you on board whether youre running one mile or 100. As your fundraising progresses so willyour training, and youll nd yourself more motivated than ever to succeed so that you can donate funds to a

    much needed cause.

    Motivation

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    49. Make sure running comes rst

    There will always be things to do that you convince yourself are more important than running. Whether

    its watching TV, surng the net or going on a night out, running distractions are always going to be there

    whether you like it or not. If you really want to make serious improvements with your running, you need to

    accept that other hobbies need to be cut back on. Missing your long run to watch a double episode of your

    favourite TV show is never a good idea, and youll more than likely regret it sooner rather than later. Onceyouve adapted a running comes rst mind-set, youll soon notice improvements in your abilities.

    50. Run with others

    Finding the motivation to drag yourself out of the house to go for a run can often be hard, but youll nd it

    a lot easier if you have committed to meet a training partner. Running with a training partner around your

    ability level is a great way to mix up your training, and a bit of healthy competition never hurt anyone. If

    your friends are all too lazy to join you on your runs (shame on them), try signing up to your local running

    club. Here youll meet a group of likeminded individuals who will be able to show you new local routes, offer

    advice and encouragement, and push you to new levels in your running training.

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