Running in 2013

We all have new year’s resolutions and probably about 70-80% of our aspirations next year will be to do with fitness.

With Christmas just a week away, everybody will be indulging in christmassy food and drink and enjoying every minute of it. Everyone needs a break don’t they?

But what I think the problem is with new year’s resolutions is people get too carried away. New Years Day at your local park will be buzzing with newly committed runners. It’s a great thing to see but I bet you half of those people won’t be there the same time next week.

Of course, the first run is always the worst. After a few miles, the sickness feeling sets in, the breathing gets heavier and you feel like you couldn’t possibly take another step. That’s fine. Don’t. Turn around and go home. At least you made the effort of getting up and going in the first place!

In a few days once your body has recovered from that awful experience, try the same distance again. It can be very easy to push yourself too much to the point when the sheer thought of running can make you squirm. Even the most professional runners sometimes don’t know when to stop.

Just be realistic about it and after a few tries it will become easier and you will start to have enjoyable experiences of running and not the throwing up in the bush on the way home ones!

Keeping a running journal is a good idea especially if you have an end goal. Be honest in there, if you only ran half of what you wanted to run one day, write it down and you’ll soon start to see patterns. Maybe you’re a better runner in the evening than in the morning or maybe you run better on one route than another.

Another suggestion would be to sign up for an event. But this can be risky. You sign up for a marathon tell all your friends you’re doing it and then realise it’s too much. Again, be realistic about your training and performance.

A 5k park run perhaps would be a good place to start. Visit www.parkrun.org.uk to find out what’s going on in your local area – they have some great fun races over Christmas and it was founded by Phil Cook, a long serving member of Les Croupiers in Cardiff!

Finding a local running group is also a great way to stay motivated in running. Nike launched it’s own “free running” club last year – all powered by social media. Take a look at their Facebook page and there is one right here in Cardiff. You can choose from running with mixed or women based groups only and you can choose your distance AND it’s free! Perfect for many of us who will be completely strapped for cash after Christmas. Check out their promo video:

Have a great Christmas all and happy running!

K