The first thing to consider is gear. I've never been much of a shopper, so I tend to wear out my clothes before I purchase more! I've posted a photo of what I wear for 10km or less. The only thing missing is socks, and my faves are double layer from the Running Room.
My go-to store for running attire is called One Tooth. There is a store in West Edmonton and one in St Albert. Their clothing is LuLu-ish, but not as price-y and lasts forever! (Probably why I like it...less shopping!). I also tend to wear shirts I've earned from the races I've run. They're something of a badge of honor, and it's really bad luck to wear a shirt from a race you didn't run...or so they say...
I invest my money in two places. My running bras and my running shoes. Both can make or break your running experience. I've worn the same shoes for years - Mizuno Wave Rider, but have had to switch to Saucony Kinvara as a less padded shoe. I'll try to elaborate on minimalist running another time - but I'm very new to barefoot running and I should do a little research!
Shoes are very personal and the best way to find your shoes is to go to a store - Running Room, United Cycle and Track & Trail employ runners and can help you into a pair of shoes that you will race home to put on and run in. At least, that's what I always do! ;)
If you're a gal, then a running bra is important too. Especially if you are gifted in the chest department, as I am. Don't be jealous, we all have special attributes!
Running bras have come a LONG way in the years that I've been a runner. I used to be a double bra uni kinda girl, but no one needs to run with a boob-tube anymore! One of my first experiences trying on running bras included me, in a changing room, with a bra that was so tight that my right arm was virtually glued to the side of my head and my body was twisted and tangled into a Cirque du Soleil contortionist pose. I nearly yelled for help and a pair of scissors. I know if you've been running for any amount of time, you've had the same experience. Sweaty-too-tight-bra-trying-on is just one of the trials that binds runners together!
You might also notice in the picture a rather large watch. Yes. That's a friggin watch. And as you might be asking yourself, my left arm is much larger and stronger than my right because of it. It's a Garmin GPS watch and it's something of a relic, as there have been many newer, smaller models released. If you're reading this, Garmin people, I could use a new one!
A GPS watch will log your run. It will tell you how far you've run, how much incline you've gained/lost and how many calories you've burned. I'm sure it does much more than that, but those are my favorite applications. It will also track your run/walk times. This is actually why I wear it. I'm a 10:1 runner. I run for 10 minutes and walk for 1.
I also listen to music. I know. It's dangerous. Whatever. Ke$ha and Brit keep my pace up.
Pile of sweaty running gear - missing socks...whoops!
The hardest thing about being a runner is getting your butt out the door. Once you're out there, it's actually quite easy. One step in front of the other! That's all there is to it!
As for run/walking, I really do believe in the Running Room and Jeff Galloway running programs, which both employ run/walking.
When I am easing back into running, say, after having a baby or a serious injury, I tend to run/walk for equivalent times. 1 minute:1 minute. Then I add a minute of running every week until I'm up to 10 and 1.
If you're not familiar with run/walking, then you might think that during a race this technique will cause you to have a slower time.
Not true at all.
You do not saunter during your walk breaks! You hustle! But this break allows you to have a little bit more pep in your step when you are up and running again and also decreases injury. There are studies about this, but I don't have the energy to dig them up...sorry. Just trust me on this one.
Once you've become totally addicted to running and haven't quite grasped how you lived so long without doing it (wha? that's just me? oh...), you will want to register for a race.
There is NO better motivator than an investment in a race. Especially if this investment includes plane tickets and a hotel room for a night or four. If you register for a half marathon six months from now, be damned if you won't complete it because your name will appear on the registration list for all to see!
And finally, if you've registered and trained for a race, then just get yourself to the start line. You might as well consider yourself a racer at that point because you WILL finish the race. Standing in the herd of runners, often huddling in scanty clothing at 6 or 7 on a chilly morning, you will feel like part of an exclusive club. And you are. You are a bonified runner.
NOT a jogger. What an insult! We are not leisurely bounding around, we are RUNning, and with purpose. NOT. F-ING. JOGGING.
That is all.
I thought I should include a picture of my super cute babes while they took a nap today. I knew you'd wanna see 'em.
www.runningroom.com
www.onetoothyoga.com
www.garmin.com
www.jeffgalloway.com
www.unitedcycle.com
www.trackntrail.ca
Just givin' props...
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