It’s National Running Day! Training for your first race

Happy National Running Day! National Running Day is held annually on the first Wednesday in June. Runners everywhere will join together to celebrate by running. If you are looking to participate with a group, you can find a race in your area by clicking here. Who needs New Years resolutions when you can make a National Running Day resolution! Make a goal today, anything from adding a few additional minutes to your nightly run, signing up for a race or making a goal to run a long distance run.

If you are thinking about taking running up as a sport, what are you waiting for? I am frequently told by others that they wish they could run but they “are not runners”. Anyone can be a runner, unless your Doctor has told you not to due to medical reasons. Prior to February 2012, I was one of those “I am not a runner” people. Then I ran my first 5k and was instantly hooked. 16 months later, I have ran multiple races including 5 Half Marathons and am signed up for my first Full Marathon in November. Trust me, if I can do it, you can absolutely do it.

Here are 5 tips to start training for your first run:

1. Get a training plan and stick to it: We started running with the  C25K app (Couch to 5 K). This is an app you download on your smartphone that takes you from the couch to running a 5K in 9 weeks. As long as you stick to the plan, you will find yourself running a 5k by August! You may not like me much when week 5 of C25K comes. Keep in mind, one day you will look back on that week and know you accomplished so much in a short period of time.

2. Download a good playlist or audio book: If you choose to listen to music while running, make sure the songs will give you motivation. I ran a Christmas Half Marathon last December and loaded a ton of Christmas songs to listen to while running – BAD idea. Audio Books are great for long distances.

3. Find a running buddy: If you have a friend looking to get into running who lives close by, start training together. Try to meet on your longer distances to run together. Also, running on Bayshore always makes me want to be a better athlete. If you do not have access to a running buddy, find a local running group.

4. Good Shoes: Please make sure you get fitted for shoes by a professional. Don’t buy shoes based on color or looks, they need to be the right ones for your feet. Prior to long distances, I would only wear pink sneakers. That quickly changed after my first foot injury.  Ladies, this is your excuse to go shoe shopping 😉

5. Register for a race:  Nothing will keep you motivated more than knowing you have a race you have to train for. The Tampa Bay area has many races scheduled throughout the year.  If you start training today, you will be ready to run a 5K by August. Here are a few races you should consider registering for. Sunsets at Pier 60 Clearwater Beach Run – August 2nd, The Pirate and The Princes 5K – August 10th, The Flavor Run 5K – August 17th,  St Pete Beach 5K – August 23rd.

Hi, I am Megan! I am a  running, wine and food blogger located in Tampa FL. You can read about my adventures at www.irunforwine.net