Get Your Run On! How to get started running

Getting Your Run On

I recently ran in a 10k race called the "Dirty Dash." If you haven't heard of it before, the Dirty Dash isn't your regular, run-of-the-mill (excuse the pun), race. One of the best descriptions that I have heard is that the Dirty Dash is actually an adventure run. The course traversed through mud fields, tires, walls, tubes, inclines and declines, a slip-and-slide, and even an area where spectators can purchase water balloons to throw at race participants. I ran the race with my brother, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and wife. It was quite the bonding experience.

As you can imagine, a 10k race is a pretty involved affair. The experience taught me a few things about preparing for a race and adopting a running lifestyle.

Get a Plan

When you're prepping for a race, you have to have a plan. There are a lot of plans available in any number of books, magazines, and online. Each plan outlines how much you should run each day depending on the length of your race, your experience level, and the amount of time that you have to prepare for the race. You'll want to make sure that you provide yourself with plenty of time to work the plan as it is designed.

Whether you're a novice or experienced runner, having a plan is a vital part of your preparation. If you're going to do it, make sure to do it right!

Start Running

Once you have a running plan, the next step is the most important and the most difficult. You have to get out there and start running. To do that, follow these steps:

1. Plot your course. You need to know how far you're going to go each day. If you already have that distance mapped out, you'll be much more likely to go running. Trying to guess how far you've gone—is it enough, or should I do more?—can be discouraging. Be prepared with a set course you'll follow.

2. Get everything together. Having your running clothes and shoes together and ready will help inspire you to get out there and start running. When you have to gather your gear, you'll find distractions to keep you from getting out there. Defeat those distractions before they happen by having everything ready.

3. Set—and commit to!—your alarm clock. Set your alarm clock for the time that you want to run. Whether the alarm is waking you up in the morning or reminding you later in the day that it's time to run, be committed to that sound. Every time you hear your alarm, get up and get going!

Pair Up

Find a running buddy to run with. My wife is my running buddy. When I don’t want to get up and run in the morning, she kicks me out of bed. When she doesn’t want to get up and run, I gently and politely ask she if would like to get up and go for a run. You and your buddy can help each other to reach goals by motivating each other. The chances of both of you not wanting to go running are rare, and if it does happen, you'll have a better chance of talking each other into going for a run than you will of convincing yourself. Choose someone with similar goals to yours, and commit to each other to meet those goals.

Be Accountable

I ran the Dirty Dash with my family—they were counting on me being there, and I didn't want to let them down. Creating accountability with your running efforts will help you to achieve your goals. Telling others that you're running in a race can create accountability, and a cheering section. When other people know about your race, they'll follow up with you. When they do, you'll be more inspired to run.

Search Out Resources and Tools

Articles on running and races can help inspire you to keep running. They can also help you to run more effectively, which will motivate you even more. A running journal can also be very inspiring and helpful. Whether you use a notebook, or an electronic tool like Nike+, you'll enjoy seeing your progress and how far—literally!—you've gone.

Preparing for a race and adopting a running lifestyle can be difficult. But ask any runner, when you cross that finish line, it's all worth it.