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Top Fifteen
Beginner Jogging Myths
On this page I'll talk to you about the top fifteen beginner jogging
myths.
When you are a beginning runner, it may all be a bit daunting at first.
And many of us have heard things about running that we thought were
true, as non-runners.
But then we started running and found out it was all a load of horse...
ehh bull... ehh, nonsense, that's what I was meant to say.
So, let's get right into it and dispel some of these beginner jogging
myths!
Beginner Jogging Myth #1: You Can't Run
Yes, you can.
You hear it all the time. You are not fit enough to run. You are too
fat to run. You are too old to run. You will embarrass yourself. Maybe
it's that little voice in the back of your head that tries to stop
you...
Truth is,
that it does not matter what your current level of fitness
is, what your age is
or what you have or have not done in the past. We can all
work on our
fitness levels. We can all get fitter and healthier.
You can run,
you just have to be willing to give it a
try. When you are severely overweight, over forty or have
been smoking,
it is advisable to consult a doctor before you start with a full-blown
exercise program. But there is no reason to believe that you can't run!
Beginner Jogging Myth #2: You Have to Run Fast
One of the mistakes you may make as a beginning runner, is that you
feel you have to run as fast as possible to get results. It is probably
running
mistake no. 1.
It is simply not true. It
is fine, even much better, to start off slowly, at a pace just faster
than running.
Why better?
Well, a few reasons:
a) Because you run less risks of getting
injuries when you run slower.
b) Because going slower helps you build up your endurance
by improving your cardiovascular system.
I asked fans of the Best Running Tips Facebook page what they felt were
the biggest myths:

Beginner Jogging Myth #3: Running is Bad for Your
Knees
According to the Facebook crowd the most common myth that
people brought up was "running
is bad for your knees".
This is simply not true. Did you know that running (or other exercise
like swimming, cycling, etc) helps improve your bone density.
Beginner Jogging Myth #4: You are a Failure if
You Stop for a Walk
When you start running, you will have some difficulties to get used to
it.
How sad is it that many of us never start jogging or an exercise program, because they feel embarassed that they may not be able to run very far or they may have to stop to catch their breath!
When in fact, a great
way to get into running
is via a run/walk program which combines running and
walking.
Check out the run/walk programs on this site:
Beginner Jogging Myth #5: You Have to Own the
Latest Running Gear
When you start running, all you really need is some simple sports
clothing. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars,
running is one
of the most accessible sports on the planet. Anyone can do it, pretty
much everywhere at any time!
Beginner Jogging Myth #6: You Have to Run Every
Day
It is great if you can make time in your schedule to run every day.
However, I would much prefer that if you exercise every day you combine
your running with cross-training.
I have seen too many beginning
runners get injured because they get too enthusiastic and do too much,
too soon.
I have seen people get great results with running three or
four times per week alone. I myself run four times per week
and get some cross-training in as well.
So, don't go with some training
program because it is there, or somebody else does it. Work out how you
can fit in regular exercise in your life and go for a bit of variety.
Beginner Jogging Myth #7: You Have to Run at a
Particular Time of Day
This myth is particularly popular amongst those of us wanting to lose
weight. We can get so caught up in the latest study and
beginner
jogging tips about running and weight loss.

One day it is about running
in the morning versus running at night.
The other day it is about
running on an empty stomach or not.
Then about eating specific foods in
combination with running.
Don't get
caught up in the latest hype or bit
of research. More important than all of that is that you actually get
outside and run!
Also see the following page:

Beginner Jogging Myth #8: When You Run, Diet is
Not Important Anymore
You may have started jogging because you want to lose weight. That's
great!
However, what I see happen from time to time is that people take
it easier on their eating / diet restrictions, just because they have
started running.
Look, if you run 100 miles per week, you can eat anything
and I am sure you will still be skinny.
But when you have just started
running that's not going to be the case. The best results are obtained
by combining both diet
and exercise.
Beginner Jogging Myth #9: You Can't Join a Race
Until You Are Superfit
You know what? Participating
in a race is great fun. You may only just
have started running. You may only just be able to run a block. Maybe
less, maybe a bit more.
Why don't you
set yourself a goal? E.g. do a 5k
race three months from now. Or, if you are a bit fitter already, go for
a 10k instead. You don't have to be fast to enjoy the fun and thrill of
racing!
I have been in many running races with thousands and thousands
of participants. There
are often only three or five of them who think
they'll have a shot at winning the race.
The others are there for other
reasons. See if they can set a personal record. See if they can finish
the race without having to stop for a walk. Wanting to get to the
finish line. Having a race to work towards can provide tremendous
motivation.
Give it a try!
Beginner Jogging Myth #10: Running on a Treadmill
is Just the Same as Running Outside
Treadmill running is a bit awkward in the beginning. Even advanced
runners have a need to go quite slow on the treadmill initially just to
get used to the feeling of treadmill running.
The other way around is
often a rude awakening as well: suppose you are really comfortable with
running five miles per hour on the treadmill.
You may find that when
you run outside it is very challenging to stick to that pace.
Running on
the treadmill provides somewhat less resistance. In order to simulate
outside running, it is best to run with your treadmill elevated at
1-2%.
Beginner Jogging Myth #11: You Have to Improve
Every Workout
Many beginner joggers pick a set distance and then try to beat their
time every single workout.
This does not work for several reasons. The
first reason is, as per myth #2, it increases
your risk of injuries.
The second reason is that this sets you up for failure.
Some days you
simply feel better than ours. Some days it is warmer than others. You
will not be able to improve every workout. As a result, you may get
discouraged. Getting fitter and healthier is a process that just takes
time.
Beginner Jogging Myth #12: You Need to Stretch
Before a Run
Many of us get this wrong. We confuse warming up before a run with
having to do stretches.
Now,
warming up before a run is important. This means doing a gentle jog at
the start of your workout. You leave the more strenuous work until your
muscles are warmed up.
What does not help, and what can even be counter-productive is
stretching before your run. Stretching
cold muscles can cause sprains.
Also see my page
with important running stretches.
Beginner Jogging Myth #13: It is Bad for Your
Heart to do Long Runs
Running
is, in fact, great for your heart. Some non-runners argue that you
shouldn't be running for longer than x minutes or hours, because you'll
suffer heart damage or a heart attack.
The chances of that happening are very unlikely. And if it were to
happen, it wouldn't have been caused by running alone.
Only
elite runners,
people who have been logging hundred miles or more per
week, every week for a decade or more can show signs of heart damage.
As can serial marathoners
who have been running multiple marathons per
year for years and years and years.
So, if you are part of the
0.001% of the population that takes their running to the "insane" :)
level, then yes, make sure you get your heart health checked out
regularly.
For the rest of us... rest assured, exercise
is great for your heart
and cardiovascular system!
Beginner Jogging Myth #14: It is Running, Not
Jogging
I don't think that anywhere on this website I refer to running as
"jogging". I just prefer calling it running.
Just to irritate all those purists out there I refer to jogging myths on
this page.
But please, let's not get carried away in semantics about what is
jogging and what is running. Call it whatever you want. The most important thing is that
you do it!
Beginner Jogging Myth #15: A Running Club is Not
for Beginners
Many
running clubs have different sections. Some for the more advanced
runners, some for recreational runners and some for absolute beginners.
Don't assume
that you can't join a running club because you can't run very far yet.
Contact your local running club and see if they offer training and
advice for your level of fitness!
And let's finish up with the first myth on this page:
Beginner Jogging Myth #1: You Can't Run
Yes, you can.
It's so important that I
decided to repeat it here.
Just see some of the stories here:
So what are you waiting for...?
Alternatively, check out some of the pages below for more info... :)
Related Pages
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