Are all your friends are posting about all the 5ks, 10ks, & marathons on instagram and your wondering what the fuss is about? Have you always wanted to start running, but have no idea what you may need? Sometimes starting a new running program can be very overwhelming. It’s intimidating.

“What kind of shoes should I get?”

“Do I need special clothes?”

“Do I need an expensive running watch?”

Here are my top 6 recommendations to get you started running in no time!

1. Keep it simple. It may be tempting when you are just started out to overcomplicate things. My best advise to you is to KEEP IT SIMPLE. You will be more adept to stick with it, if it’s easy.
2. Get fitted for shoes at a specialty running shoe store. This alone could save you some pain and injuries just starting out. I can’t tell you how many people have told me, “my knees just can’t take running”. Actually, it probably wasn’t their knees talking to them, it was their body telling them they needed proper running shoes! It does make a difference.
3. Purchase a heart rate monitor. This is like having your own personal trainer running along beside you. There will be some days where you will need to adjust your pace according to your heart rate. Until you learn to run by feel, your heart rate monitor will be your best friend. You don’t need anything fancy. I recommend the Garmin Forerunner 235 . The heart rate is wrist optimized, which makes it super easy. If you need something a little less $$$ you could also check out the Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor
4. Buy running socks. Again, this will save you many painful blisters…a lesson it took me years to learn back in the late nineties! Balega are my go-to brand to run and play tennis in.
5. Get some running shorts and dry-fit shirts. If you are sweating and running longer than 60 minutes, then dry-fit will save you some major chafing. Shorter distances you can usually get away with cotton tees and/or shorts. I have been running for years in Nike’s Tempo and Nike Dry Attack Trainers
6. Start slow and don’t over do it. Again, this is a biggy! Often beginners get overzealous and the motivation is off the charts. This can lead to burnout and injury.  I don’t blame you, it’s exciting to start something new and see such amazing results. Start slow and be patient. Both in your training runs and ramping up your mileage.

That is it…It’s pretty simple to get out there and get running!

Please post in comments on you are doing with getting started!