Whether you’re running to get fit, tone up, or to support a charity close to your heart, we have a number of brilliant running tips to help you to start running or get back into running, improve your stamina and reach your fitness goals. So let’s get started!
If you're completely new to running, click the button below to check out our running guide for complete beginners.
Starting to Run - Top Tips to Get You Motivated
Finding the motivation to fit in a 5K run early in the morning or after a long day at work can be difficult at first, but once you get into a routine, you’ll begin to feel the benefits of running on a regular basis. Whether you’re planning on jogging, casually running or becoming a long distance runner, here are our top running tips to get you in the mood to run despite the weather in the UK:
- Pack your gym kit and take it to work with you. No more excuses!
- Invest in high-quality and comfortable active-wear, feeling good in your running kit can make all the difference.
- Wear your gym kit to bed for a morning session and shred time off your morning routine.
- Create a Spotify Playlist – Check out our Alder Hey Spotify playlist to get you started!
- Record a video diary before bed and explain why you want to work out in the morning. Play it back to yourself in the morning for that little extra push to get out of bed.
- Get a running buddy and motivate each other to run for a little bit longer each session.
- Sign up to a running event and commit to a training plan.
Share your running motivation tips with us now @AlderHeyCharity
The Ultimate Running Playlist
There is nothing more motivating than an energetic, upbeat soundtrack specially designed to take you from a light warm up, to a fully-fledged run. One of the most popular options for modern runners is Spotify. Spotify allows you to stream music via Wi-Fi connection for free and create your ultimate running playlist. Upgrade to a premium membership to download your workout playlist to your phone and listen anywhere without ads or the need for Wi-Fi connection. The premium membership can cost around £10 per month, but you can often take advantage of special offers and free 30 days trials before you fully commit.
We’ve created our very own Alder Hey Spotify playlist, which you can follow and listen to while you run. Featuring a number of energetic and motivating tracks to take you from warm up, through to a full workout.
Alder Hey Spotify Playlist - Part 1
How to Become a Better Runner
If you’re new to running, the most important piece of advice anyone can give you is to listen to your body. It doesn’t matter if you’re young, middle aged or older, if your body is in pain and you think you need to take a break, make sure to listen and take time to rest and recover. There is nothing more annoying than overdoing it and straining a muscle or injuring yourself. The time it can take to recover from a running injury can set you back weeks, if not months, so it is much better for your body and your fitness goals to take it slow and steady.
This is not to be confused with pushing yourself to improve your stamina though- as runnerworld.com explain, muscle aches and soreness in your legs is to be expected when pushing your body farther and faster, but there are some pains that you shouldn’t ignore. If you experience sharp pains or persistent pains that worsen as you walk or run, you should consult a doctor if they don’t improve within three days.