If you’ve never run before but want to give it a go, choose this year’s MDC as your starting point, and don’t forget to start up your fundraising page so you can make all that effort even more worthwhile.
Even if you think you can’t do it, you can! You have the option of being a daredevil and having a crack at the 8k run, or try the 4k run.
But, I hear you thinking (not funny, I know) I can’t run 4k’s – There’s no way that I can do it. Incorrect!!!
You can, or at least you can give it a go. You can always walk part of the way if you need to!
Five years ago I was 120kg and flat out running to the fridge to get more food and beer. I’m now a trim 83kg and a veteran of 4 ironman triathlons, about 25 shorter triathlons and multiple fun runs. There’s nothing special about me. I’m still a lazy slob at heart, I’m just now enjoying being a fitter and stronger slob than I’ve ever been.
Here are 6 suggestions that you may want to take on board to help get you started:
1. Before you start, if you have a medical condition or past injury that may prevent you from running, consult a medical practitioner.
2. Get some decent running shoes and have them properly fitted. It can help to prevent injuries, particularly if you’re biomechanically challenged (you can e-mail me for a definition of biomechanically challenged), or if you’re a bit on the heavy side.
3. If you haven’t run for a long time or have a moderate fitness level, try a walk/ run session. Start off with a little walking, then break into a run until you feel tired, then have a walk to recover, then run again. Try to record how long you run for each time and the next session you do, try to extend the duration of your running. Keep training this way and you’ll be running the whole session in no time. The best gains in fitness you will make will be the “honeymoon period” when you’re starting off. Make the most of this while it lasts!
4. Try to find someone to train with. Having a training partner will help you to keep your focus and commitment - you won’t want to let your buddy down by skipping sessions, so it will benefit you both. Plus you've got someone to run with on the day.
5. Stretch, stretch, stretch and stretch some more before and after training– not only will it help to prevent injuries, it might just improve your flexibility as well. A couple of years ago I was about as flexible as a telegraph pole. I now have body parts that bend and stretch where they never stretched and bent before.
6. It should be fun. If you try running and the endorphins just aren’t doing it for you, then try walking. Walking is also great for your health and fitness and carries less chance of injury than running. You can choose to walk great events like the MDC without any real training!
Stay tuned for an update on my training, and a few more tips about running and other MDC and non MDC related stuff.
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