scles are given a rest while you continue to form your exercise habit.

See How to
Make Exercise a Daily Habit for more.
Most important advice: just lace up your shoes, and get out the door. After that, it’s
cake.
The importance of rest
Some runners try to go hard every single day. They are ignoring the truth about
muscles — your muscles grow by giving them stress, and allowing them to rest
after the stress so that they can grow. If you run hard every day, you will just
continually break your muscles down, and improvement will be slow and difficult —
and it could lead to burnout or injury.
It’s best to rest the day after a tough run, to allow your body to recover. Does this
mean you should rest completely, with no running or exercise at all? Not necessarily.
The important thing is that you don’t run hard two days in a row. But you can do a
very easy, short run (or other type of easy exercise) in between harder runs and still
allow your muscles to recover.

First 5K
One of the most motivating things in running is an upcoming race. I suggest you sign
up for a 5K after a month or two of running, even if you don’t think you’re ready.
Why? It will motivate you to keep running, so that you’re prepared to do the 5K.
Now, some people have a nervousness about signing up for a running race, because
the other runners are so much better than them. Relax. There are plenty of very good
runners in every race, but there are also many beginners. Don’t worry about the other
runners. There’s usually so many people at a 5K that you won’t be noticed. And don’t
be afraid to walk or run/walk. Many, many other people do. Just run your own race,
and most importantly, have fun! It’s a blast.

On manners: do not start out a race in the front, unless you think you can win it.
Slower runners should start in the back, or they get in everyone’s way. Also, stay to
the right, so people can pass you. Try to be courteous, and not push or cut someone
off. Watch out when you spit — you might hit someone behind you. Same thing with
snotrockets. And when you beat that little 11-year-old girl at the finish line, it’s best
not to point at her and yell “Loser!” repeatedly. Trust me. I speak from experience.

Once you do your first 5K, you’ll be hooked. That’s a warning.

 Equipment
So what do you need to run? Well, running shorts, shirt and shoes, basically. Women
will need a sports bra (get a good one, trust me). Should you go out and buy the best
running clothes and shoes possible, even before your first run? No, it’s not really
necessary. You can get started running with any pair of comfortable sneakers and any
shorts and T-shirt.
But once you really get into it, you’ll want to buy some real running clothes —
breathable fibers, with some comfortable underwear built in (not cotton!) so you don’t
chafe. A running shirt is also good. If you live in cold weather, you’ll need some
breathable clothes to put over your shorts and shirt. I live in the tropics, so I can’t
advise you here.

Most important: good running shoes. This is the most important running

equipment, because it can not only make running more comfortable, but also prevent
injury. My advice is to go to an actual running store, where there will be
knowledgeable people who can watch you run and tell you what kind of shoe you
need (overpronator, supinator, neutral, etc.). If they don’t watch you

Beginner’s Guide to Running

Post written by Leo Babauta .
Are you just starting out as a runner, or is it something you’d like to do? From
experience, I know that a beginner runner has a million questions and never Week 1:
Walk for 10 minutes. Jog slowly for 1 minute, and then walk for 1 minute. Repeat
these 1/1 intervals for 10 minutes, or until you become uncomfortable. Walk for 5
minutes to cool down.
1. Week 2: Walk for 10 minutes. Jog slowly for 2 minutes, and then walk for 2
minutes. Repeat these 2/2 intervals for 10 minutes, or until you become
uncomfortable. Walk for 5 minutes to cool down.
2. Week 3: Walk for 10 minutes. Jog slowly for 3 minutes, and then walk for 2
minutes. Repeat these 3/2 intervals for 15 minutes, or until you become
uncomfortable. Walk for 5 minutes to cool down.
3. Week 4: Walk for 10 minutes. Jog slowly for 5 minutes, and then walk for 2
minutes. Repeat these 5/2 intervals for 20 minutes, or until you become
uncomfortable. Walk for 5 minutes to cool down.
 You get the picture. The idea is to gradually increase your running time until you can
do 10 minutes straight. Then increase the 10 minutes to 12, and so on, each week,
until you can eventually run for 30 minutes. Now you’re a runner!
Online forums
In the beginning, you’ll have a lot of questions and want to share your progress with
others. An online forum is perfect for that. Join a forum or two, read as much as you
can, introduce yourself, post your questions, post your weekly progress, and gain from
the experience of others.
A few good forums to start with:

 Cool Running forums

Most important advice: just lace up your shoes, and get out the door. After that, it’s
cake.
The importance of rest