12 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started Running

1. Play. That is the essence of running. If your running is not play, then you're probably not doing it right. That is not to say that running is always FUN! There will be times when you feel like your head is going to explode and you will not be having fun. But you know, I remember as a child coming in from play completely exhausted, but I was as happy as I could be because I had been playing. Maintain the attitude of “Low ego, High fun.”
2. Know why you are running. Is it for fitness, stress relief, or just because it seems cool? Pick a goal to start. Make it measurable. Would you like to run your first 5K (3.1 mile) race three months from now? Your goal probably will change as you run over time, but if you don’t know why you’re doing this, you’ll not sustain the effort for the long run (pun intended). Select a goal and be sure to chart your progress.
3. Pick one training plan and stick with it. Consistency is as important as anything else.
4. Be willing to NOT train if you need a rest. Sometimes the best training you can do is to not train.
5. To go with number 4 above, remember that it is easier to recover from an ache than an injury. If your ache becomes a pain, stop running.
6. Start by building a base. It is better in the beginning to walk rather than run. Then it is better in the beginning to run for a particular amount of time before you worry about the distance you cover. Later you can worry about your pace, form, etc.
7. Get yourself a coach. Virtual coaches are almost as good as live coaches. I've never met my first coach, nor have I ever spoken with him. It is Hal Higdon. I read his coaching advice in "Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide." I did eventually hook up with a live coach from a local running store, Running Wild. I joined a marathon-training group through that store. Because of the training, I dropped my Personal Record (PR) in the Marathon from 4:13:20 to 3:41:22 in just one year. The second year of training, I qualified for the Boston Marathon. Not bad.
8. If you can, find a running buddy that runs about the same pace as you. If you know that your buddy is going to show up for a workout, you'll feel obligated to show up too. Of course your buddy is only showing up because he/she knows that YOU will be there. I run with the group RunRacine.com. A simple Google search will probably reveal a running group near you.
9. Make your goal for your first race just to survive. After your first one, you can get fancy.
10. Write it down. Nothing will inspire you more than keeping a running journal. Every day write down what you have done. Then from time to time, look back at what you have accomplished. Personally, I keep my journal at MapMyFitness.com.
11. Run your own race. Don't worry about who you are passing or by whom you are being passed. In a recent race, I was passed by an asthmatic 14-year-old girl who was wheezing so badly she sounded like a calliope as she went by. If I let my ego get in the way, I'll break my game plan just to keep ahead of others. Run your own race and let others worry about their race. Some of those who pass you will be passed later on.
12. Oh, and you know that legalese that you hear about checking with your doctor first? Well, it is actually good advice.

Be safe. Have fun. Run with a buddy. If you do these things, you’ll enjoy running for a lifetime.