101 Best Running Tips (And My Top 42 for every exerciser)

"All it takes is all you've got"

SOURCE: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/running-tips-beginners-guide?cm_mmc=Newsletter-_-2010_Oct_18-_-Dose-_-readon
I am subscribed to a couple of daily fitness emails through various magazines (which is where I get a lot of my website recommendations!) I got this one and LOVED it so I I figured it was worth doing an article review to share what I got out of it.
Womens Health did an article about some great running tips, but don't worry if you aren't a runner. A lot of these are great tips for your everday workouts. I don't have the time or space for all 101 but I chose some of the best to share!

STARTING OUT:
1. Start by accepting the challenge-"Everyone is an athlete, some of us are training and some aren't"
2. Think in minutes not miles-When starting running or working out, focus on taking small steps-increasing by a minute each time you exercise
3. Relax-When engaging in physical activity, think about relaxing your jaw, shoulders, hands and arms instead of tensing up
4. Quickies-If you are crunched for time, squeeze in a quick workout...something is better than nothing!
5. Warm Up and then stretch-stretching cold muscles can increase injury risk
6. Moderation-"Is beer good for runners? Sure, when it is the other guy drinking it"
7. Listen to your body-"Run through annoyances, not pain"
8. Come to play-"Fitness needs to be fun...fun is the process. Fitness is the result"

EARLY TRAINING:
9. Every mile counts-"Regardless of pace, each mile you run (walk) burns about 100 calories"
10. Go for the goal-"It is hard to keep on an exercise program without a significant goal in mind"
11. Think big, but carry an eraser-Flexibility is key to fitness programs
12. Consistency-"Day to day consistency is more important tha big mileage"
13. Find the right proportion-"Yes, quantity is important but a large portion of your exercise should be quality rather than quantity"
14. Be a "cross-eater"-add variation to your diet. Try one new food a week.
15. Think globally, act locally-Have a big, final goal in the back of your mind but make small plans for steps in how to get there
16. Quality-You will never increase endurance if you always stay in your comfort zone

ADVANCED TRAINING:
17. Just do it-"The difference between a jogger and a runner is an entry blank
18. Mind over grind-"Any idiot can train himself to the ground; the trick is doing the training that makes you gradually stronger"
19. Have fun on easy days-Don't get the training-is-everything-syndrome and have some easy workouts where you 'stop to smell the roses' along the way
20. Have fun on hard days-Even when the going gets tough, have fun doing it! Chose workouts, routes and exercises you truly enjoy so it isn't a chore to complete
21. Think like a camel-Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
22. Rest assured-"Back off at the first sign of injury. 3-5 days off is better than a month or two."
23. Divide and Conquer-Don't set too many goals at once. Pick one thing at a time to work on or work for.

HILL RUNNING:
24. Join the resistance-"Hills are the only beneficial resistance training for runners"
25. Adapt-"Running hills breaks the rhythm and forces your muscles to adapt to new stressors. The result? You become stronger"
26. Avoid the downside-Running hills on a treadmill can be beneficial because you avoid the pounding of the downhill slide
27. Lean into it-When coming down a hill, lean into it



RACING:
28. Stay in control-"Run this race at YOUR own pace"
29. Make a pass-"Passing competitors gives you a lift and you get a surge of adrenaline"
30. Get over it-"If you have a bad workout-allow yourself 1 hour to stew over it and then move on"
31. Be patient-"Expect 6-10 workouts before you see significant improvement"
32. Finish it with a kick-Work to finish every workout faster or stronger than you started
33. Stay on pace-99.9% of runners start too fast, it is better to start slow and allow yourself to pick it up then die before you hit the finish

MARATHONING:
34. Step back a bit-"Increase your mileage, and then have a step back week every third week"
35. Don't Push it-"3 hours slow is better than 2 hours fast"
36. Enough is enough-"In training, never go for more than 3 hours straight"
37. Pamper your muscles-RELAX! Take a warm bath or get a massage
38. Taper on time-Begin significantly decreasing mileage 3 weeks before the run
39. Run by 3's-"Divide the race into thirds:Run the first with your head, middle with your personality and the last with your heart"
40. Walk before you crawl-Stop before you feel like you have to, take a chance at every water station to walk at least a minute
41. Be a copy cat-"Find someone with good form or a good attitude on the course and use them to mimic"

MY FAVORITE: (For any healthy lifestyle!!)
42. Find a reason why-"We do it to find a part of ourselves that is undiscovered"


OK I condensed 101 into 42 so check out the article for more great tips. Whatever you chose to work for, whether it is running, walking or just staying fit, be smart about it and really dedicate your heart to the efforts!

Leave a comment, what goals are you working for??

Megan :)