Want to run but don’t know where to begin? 

Ever planned on running a 5k, 10k, or some road race but never ended up doing it?

Do you feel like you need an extra push to get started on a training plan?

Well here are three tips I would suggest to anyone who wants to start running

• I would say one of the most important tips on starting anything new is coming up with realistic goals. As far as goals for running they can be as big as I want to win a 5K race, or as small as I want to lose 5 pounds. Whatever they may be, writing them down and having something concrete to works towards, makes achieving them much more likely. I personally believe in having short term goals, which I have from a week to week or month to month basis, that in turn help achieve your long term goals. The more specific and detailed you are with your goals, the better chance there is that you will achieve them.

• Tip number two, start slow. One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to do too much too soon. Getting motivated and excited about a new training program is great! But if you expect to go out and run 6 miles on your first day of training, it will not only be frustrating but you may physically injure yourself. Far too often people will go all out on their first day of training and push themselves too hard, and the following day or two are so sore that they give up the training plan all together. And I am not saying that feeling sore is a bad thing! It’s just sometimes being “too” sore, completely discourages someone from doing that activity again.

• You must have fun with what your doing. Of course the majority of people don’t like running. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Grab a mate or two and head out for a run. It doesn’t have to be fast but by chatting with your mates the times passes a lot faster. You can also make the run into a social event. Get a few people together, head out for a run, and then treat yourself to some grub! By adding things to running that you enjoy doing, eventually you may enjoy the run aspect of it too!

Now for a person going from being completely inactive to starting a running regime the process may be a little different. But all of you bootcampers already have a great foundation! By doing bootcamp twice a week you have great core strength and endurance. Running may just be the activity to add to your workout regime to get to the next level of fitness. Whether that be dropping a few pounds, or getting ready for a 5K race!