Starting A Running Group

Tomorrow will be the first session for the running group that I have started. Before embarking on this new path there are some important factors to consider about recreational running.

How do I talk about the benefits of running without talking about the risks???

The benefits of physical activity can not be overstated. Almost everybody at any age or health

level can benefit from increasing physical activity. Both your physical and mental health can benefit in many ways from exercise.

However, if it has been a long time since you have gone out running (like me) then you may feel a little wary about the chance of injury.

Therefore, prevention is probably going to be first thing on your mind. Thinking “please don’t let me wake up tomorrow with a sore… (you fill in the blank)".

But we love running! It is functional and has a lot of benefits that you can use in your daily life. The cardiovascular improvements can make everyday tasks seem easier and improve your conditioning for any physical activity or event you may enjoy doing.

And a big plus is that it requires almost no equipment or skill, and scalability is practically limitless.

Just put on your comfortable clothes and proper footwear and go. Running can be adapted to suit any training program.

So, why am I still caught up on the injuries??? Because it is important to manage your running and the load that you place on your body. And we all know that sometimes we push it too far.

Here are a few helpful tips to prevent injury:

1. Plan your route in advance. You want to make sure that it a manageable and safe distance so that you know where you are going and how to get back. Also, you should make sure that it is the right terrain for you (not all up hill and over fences).

2. Stretch and warm up. Make sure that your body is ready to take on that challenge.

3. Emergency plan. Be prepared for the unexpected. Make sure someone knows where you are going. Run with a group. Carry a cell phone. Bring all necessary medications and fuel.

4. Proper rest, hydration and nutrition before, during and after running. Make sure you have the correct amount of fuel for your run. Make sure you eat the right food that suit your body when running.

5. Plan your post run time. Make sure you have enough time to cool down and do all the necessary things you need to before continuing with your day.

*Always make sure that you are clear to do activity by a Healthcare professional or Physician if you have any medical conditions or concerns.

To quote a popular running movie- “Just put one foot in front of the other really fast” i.e. almost anybody can do it without prior experience or training.