Spence Smith

Through out all my training for triathlons, the one question I get the most is I’d like to start running… What do I do?

Ahhh… well, let me tell you…

1. Set a goal…. Start with a 5k, which is 3.1 miles or a 1/2 marathon which is 13.1 miles.

2. Buy the right running shoes for you. Not just any shoe… but the right shoe. This means a visit to my favorite running store like, Fleet Feet, Endurance Sports, or ACME Multisport. If you aren’t in the Nashville area then ask around for a RUNNING store staffed by runners. Getting a proper fit for shoes is critical to your training and preventing unwanted injuries. If I catch you walking into Foot Locker or the Finish Line then I will come hunt you down… and make you buy me dinner at a really expensive restaurant!

You want to buy shoes from runners who know shoes. Its that simple.

3. Train with a friend, a group of friends, or a training program like Powered By Hope. Learning from each other helps, not to mention the accountability from your friends and the community you will build in the process is priceless.

For those who are looking to run in the Country Music 1/2 Marathon, Powered By Hope is building a community of runners (beginners to seasoned athletes) to support a great cause. Their training plan is easy to get into and well worth the effort. Training officially starts January 16, 2010 at Fleet Feet in Brentwood, TN

4. Find the right training plan for you. I use the Jeff Galloway system quite a bit to help me build my running endurance. It’s easy to get into and it’s not overwhelming. No one expects you to run far for very long when you are a beginner and there’s nothing wrong with a little walking. The goal is to finish.

5. Have fun with it! Take your time and learn to enjoy the benefits from your training and the people you meet along the way. The encouragement I got as a beginner was what made me want to keep going and eventually encourage others to experience the same joy and benefits I got from running with a group of people.

Benefits? Oh yes… You can lose weight.. That’s always a plus… but what most people don’t realize is how much your mind gets in better shape. Your moods level out, you tend to think more clearly and it’s a great way to relieve a bit of stress and bring focus to your day.

Take it from me. I went through a really big change in my life that was stressful, hurtful, and just down right sad…they call it a divorce. My counselor wanted me to keep running because it was helping me get through the really tough times.

I have to say… I’m much better for it. And now, all of this training I do – Swimming, biking and running… is now just apart of my lifestyle. It’s something I love to do… not something I feel like I have to do as if it were a burden.

So… You wanna learn to run? Go for it!! and if you have any questions about the your first running steps, shoot me an email. I can’t give you all the answers but I will tell you how I got started and few things I’ve learned along the way.

Before Christmas gets here, make a decision to do something for yourself while helping others. Go sign up with Powered By Hope and run the Country Music 1/2 Marathon. You will thank me later for it!

And while you’re read Born To Run… it changed my running life!