Tips for Newbie Runners

• Buy running shoes from a running specialty store...yes, you will be paying a lot, but its worth it (all other purchases related to running are nothing comared to good shoes)



• Never run back-to-back days until you have 6 months of running under your belt. Trust me on this one....its simply not worth a stress fracture. So, even if that last run wasn't very good and you know you could do better, wait another day before reattempting it!



• Remind yourself that if you can make it through the first 6 weeks, it will get so much easier!



• Call yourself a runner, even if you don't believe it quite yet...by saying it over and over again to people (strangers even), you will start to believe it



• If you (like me) stay encouraged by buying the little accessories that make running "cute" and running clothes enjoyable, by all means, buy it



• Read books about running...they will help you stay motivated, even when you were over-zealous and ran back-to-back days and now have to abstain from all impact exercises for the next 6 weeks (yes, personal experience here)



• Subscribe to running blogs (have you done that yet? hint hint) or facebook pages (I know this great one about a crazy mother) that put the sport in your face so its always on your mind and keeps you motivated



• Try to meet other runners (even if they are only virtual), as your friends won't want to hear about all of your running woes....its not that they are disinterested (well, yeah, they are disinterested), but that doesn't mean that you should be disinterested!



• Remind yourself how far you have come in 1 week, 1 month, 1 year...be proud of your accomplishments!



• Remind yourself (even if you are dead last in a race), that you are much much faster than that slob next door that never even got off of their couch!