![]() So take your time, choose the shoe based on how it feels and not how it looks or the size (sizing differs from brand to brand and some might run smaller than others). Most stores will allow you to run in each pair of shoes for a few minutes either on a treadmill in the store or on the street or in the parking lot before you purchase them, and many have a generous return policy if you decide they’re not for you. For instance, if you overpronate - your ankle rolls down and inward when you take a step - specialists at the store will be able to identify that while watching you walk and recommend a shoe with more stability and support.Ī good pair of shoes can be the difference between a successful start to the sport and suffering with shin splints. While this seems like extra credit, experts are unanimous in their advice to visit a specialty running store to have your gait - how your legs move while running - evaluated and to try shoes recommended based on your body and support needs. “But sometimes it’s not the right shoe for you.” “It’s always appealing to go with the sexy Nike shoes,” Nesi says. One piece of equipment deserving of time and attention, though, is your shoes. Sure, there are tons of pricey accessories runners can splurge on, but beginners can (and probably should) do without the bells and whistles. Running is relatively low maintenance in terms of gear. ![]() Start with a sports doctor first if you’re experiencing any pain while walking, but if not, you should be good to start adding some running into the mix. “With the women that I work with - usually fat women over 40 - it’s very common that the doctor will say, ‘Well, you need to lose weight before you start running,’” she says. Getting clearance from your primary care doctor to run is a good idea in theory, Angie says, but can sometimes backfire for fat people. ![]() If you experience any pain in your knees, hips, shins, or feet while walking, running will likely exacerbate the issues, Angie says, so first get checked out by a physical therapist or sports medicine specialist. Jill Angie, a running coach, the founder of Not Your Average Runner, and the host of the podcast of the same name, suggests her coaching clients build a base of comfortably walking for two to three miles before any running is introduced. Prior to your first run, take stock of where you are health-wise. “I think that’s a great thing about running: It doesn’t have a prerequisite,” says Jasmine Nesi, co-founder of RUNGRL, a community for Black women distance runners.īefore you hit the streets, the trails, the track, or the treadmill, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure you’re staying safe and prepared, mentally and physically. (Of course, those with specific health conditions and disabilities may not be able to partake.) Just a few minutes of running a day substantially reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, and improves mental health, mood, and sleep quality. From 12-year-old suburban kids trying a new activity to retirees looking for a change of pace, vast populations of people have the ability to lace up a pair of shoes and move their body - and reap the benefits. The beauty of the sport is its relatively low barrier to entry. Nearly two decades later, I’m the stereotypical freak who runs a 5K on holidays and encourages friends to consider an easy jog a few times a week. ![]() ![]() (Consistency would be the key word.) Despite many threats to quit, over time I noticed improvements to my endurance, speed, and overall mood. An angsty pre-teen who enrolled in my town’s youth track and field program, I was initially unaware of what a running routine might look like in practice. The early days of our love affair were far from blissful, though. Just about 18 years ago, I embarked on what would become the longest relationship of my life - with running. ![]()
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