Starting to Run after Ten Years

First off, I would like to thank anyone who gets back to me. I am giving up smoking Monday. I used to run for fun in my late thirties and early forties. Ten miles every other day.

I stopped and want to start again. Could you help me, i.e. what exercises I need to do before I run or what distance to start with as I have never been shown how.


Answer by Dominique:


Hi there,
Thanks for your running questions. Congratulations on making these wonderful changes in your life.

I hope you stick with it.

I think you will find a lot of the information you need in my Beginner Running Tips section.

In there are also some beginner running programs. Many people love them. I get raving reviews quite frequently.

Some people however, tell me they don't like them and want something that starts more aggressively.

I often see the risk that people want too much too often, then find it too hard, get discouraged and stop.

A slow start doesn't matter. What does matter is that you keep going!

But whether you want to use these beginner running programs or not, the approach is valid for beginning runners all over the world. The same principles apply:

* Do run/walks
* Make sure the running component is an easy jog.
* Build it up slowly, just a little more running every week, slowly phasing out the walking.



So, have a look at them and adjust them to your liking, but do use the same principles. Before you'll know it you are running 5 minutes at a time, 10 minutes at a time, 15 minutes at a time etc.

Wishing you best of luck.
Kind regards,
Dominique