Lessons I have learned

These are the things I have learnt about running through my reading and running itself:

• Don't try to improve speed and distance; work on one at a time
• Build up a good base, run 1 mile before starting a 5k program and run 5k before starting any other kind of training program
• After running walk for at least five minutes to get rid of the lactic acid in your muscles, if you don't - you'll be regretting it for hours!
• Get a good pair of running shoes from a running shop, if you start to get aches and pains your first thought should be whether your shoes are old/ill fitting
• Don't beat yourself up over a bad day or one that doesn't come up to your normal standards - get over it so it doesn't ruin your long term goals.  We all have bad days, get over it
• Book a race three months into the future and raise money for charity, that way you will have to do it and have to train for it - when that's done book in for another
• You need to eat!  Carbs will become your friend, you need them for energy. Don't start a diet and start running at the same time, you need to get used to eating smarter, not less
• Dry wicking tops are a great investment for a runner, they really do work at keeping you cool and dry
• Don't try and run someone else's race or at someone else's pace - we are all unique individuals
• Don't forget to take your hayfever tablets
• Keep a piece of gum in your pocket so you can chew on it if your mouth begins to dry out
• Tell everyone you are running, what you are running and who for - it's scary, but it makes it real
• Celebrate your achievements, remember what it was like on week 1 day 1 and put things into perspective, okay you might not be where you ultimately want to be, but look at how far you have already come
• Keep going; when I can't be bothered getting off the couch I remember this quote someone on a FB group found - "You'll never regret the run you do, but you'll always regret the run you don't do"
• Yes, you can do it!