Running Tips for Beginners

I will always consider myself a "beginner" runner. Even after running for over 13 years, I am slow. I am methodical. I like the trails and the back-of-the-pack people in races. I'm always running more for enjoyment than for reaching a Personal Record in a race.

Most of the running posts in my corner of the web will revolve around tips, training, thoughts, race reviews, and product reviews. I am currently an ambassador for BibRave, which is a fantastic running community that goes to all the races so you can pick the good ones.

The Couch to 5K Program

I took my first steps to running using this program.

Actually, my first run was early in the morning wearing khaki shorts and a t-shirt on a cold day in February, 2005. That wasn't very smart, but I was desperate for sleep. I knew from long ago days of track and basketball that if I could run myself out, I could sleep without dreams.

It worked and I promptly started running at a weight I was not comfortable. I hurt my foot, stopped for 5 months, then found this program to try again.

And the rest, is an amazing history to being a lifelong runner and dropping 65lbs.

This is the Couch to 5K running program and it works. Keep in mind that it does NOT say, "couch to breaking speed records 5K". It does exactly what it promises in 9 weeks. HOWEVER, it assumes a LOT of common sense. Check this Guide to the Couch to 5K post for more information.

CrossFit and Running

A few years ago, I was counting my running success in increments of tenths of a mile. I wasn’t a beginning runner. Worse, I was an injured runner. I had run several races, trail races, and a half-marathon trail race before I found myself hobbling to a doctor and meeting my physical therapist for the first time.

Nine months later, I finally ran a total of 3 miles without pain. My doctor advised me to dial down my goals and find joy in simply running 30 minutes. I had serious bio-mechanical issues that seemed to halt any progress.

As of today, I have finished many half-marathons, trail half-marathons, climbed mountains, ran a marathon, and I’m currently training for another marathon and various obstacle races. What made this possible?

CrossFit.

Here are my posts on how I used CrossFit in my running goals.