Monday, March 25, 2013

Get Advice From The London 2012 Training Guide: Athletics - Track Events On How To Start Running


Professor of Sport at the University of Bedfordshire and Author of the official "London 2012 Training Guide: Athletics - Track Events", John Brewer, tells us "the human body is designed to run". That said, there are no excuses for any of us not to give running a go when it comes to improving our fitness. A wobbly belly or knock knees or a wheezy chest need not be a barrier and training sensibly can have a significant effect on your fitness no matter what level you start from.

Brewer also says that "not everyone is capable of breaking world records, but the human body responds and adapts to the challenges of training regardless of genes". He offers the following tips to help you start your running and get you off on the right track.

1 - Have A Target To Aim For

Think about your goals, both short and long term and make them attainable and realistic. This might be anything from running steadily for 5 minutes without stopping, to improving your personal best over a distance, to competing in your first race. Once you hit your first short term target you'll feel motivated to set yourself increasingly challenging goals.

2 - Keep A Diary

It's important for beginners not to do too much too soon. The best way to avoid overdoing it in the first few weeks is to keep a training log. Plan out each week's training schedule, and then record not only what type of training you did but also what you ate, how you slept and how your recovery went after each session. After a while you'll be able to look back at how much you've improved and use the data that you have to improve further.

3 - Join A Local Running Club

Everyone has to start somewhere, and even the fast runners in clubs did not start that way but trained to improve their performance. Most clubs are keen to welcome new members and are happy to offer advice and encouragement. Not everyone in a running club is an elite athlete, lots simply like the camaraderie of training with like-minded people as they keep fit instead of going it alone.

4 - Take On Proper Fuel

It's not advisable to eat in the two hours prior to a race, so giving your body chance to digest the food. You should avoid fats and protein, which take a long time to digest and try to make that pre-run meal full of carbohydrates instead. Your body turns the calories consumed from bread, pasta and rice into glycogen which powers the muscles. Following your race, try to snack on some cereal within 30 to 60 minutes of finishing.

If you can follow John Brewer's advice you'll find yourself never looking back.

No comments:

Post a Comment