How to get started with Running - 101

I started running in this year and here is all that I learnt in 2014.

1. There is lot of material on running on the internet. And a great place to start is about.com.
2. And here is the great glossary for the running catchwords: http://greatist.com/fitness/ultimate-guide-running-lingo



Training plans:

3. Once you start running, it makes sense to fix a goal and train for it. Every running site provides it own training plan and guidance, for free or fee. Here is one I used. It has a variety from Couch to 5K to 10K to Half and then Marathan. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
4. Hal Higdon - Marathon Training Guide - Novice 2
5. In general all training plans suggest workout for 4-5 days a week, with other days being rest days. And if you want to up your level, target a weekly increase by 10%. So the guideline is always your own capacity.
6. Many runners and running websites have created Facebook pages. They are great to follow for daily dose of Motivation, Inspiration and Information. Just create a Running interest page on facebook and add them. It won't clutter your regular newsfeed. On a mobile device, I find this a very powerful tool.
  

Stretching:

7. If you plan to run 2-3 times in a  month, then not-stretching is not an issue. But if you want to run the day-after as well, its better you stretch before and after every run. Otherwise the shin pain, maybe hip pain won't let you go again. And that is discouraging. Stretching videos I would recommend:
   
   • How To Stretch for Beginners, Safe Stretches for Full Body Yoga - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZFJpaOD3Cc
   • Pre run stretch  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2q_0qQcBZw
   • Post run stretch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgu6poYC-lk
   
   

   Cross-training:

8. Practically every training plan accounts for rest days. And those are the days to cross-train. Chose your favorite. Here is a list to help you with that: http://www.runnersworld.com/photos/16-cross-training-activities-to-try



Run gear:

9. Once running catches up, nothing can stop from spurlging on the running gear.
10. Fit: Its better to have comfort fit shirts & pants. That good old image of loose cotton t-shirts and slack pants are best left out. All those loose clothing will flop over our head in case of yoga and provide added resistance incase of running. No use. 
11. And cotton is a sin, go for wick-dry stuff. See next section for details. I haven't run in summer yet, but I plan to use wick-dry, 1 layer with shortest possible sleeve.
12. Yoga mat - awesome for stretching or doing shavaasan (i.e. legit way to nap; just don't snore). Links: Flipkart, Amazon
13. Sport bra for ladies. Stock up on those and get the right match. Guys use bandaid I think, if they need really really long run. I won't write the details, please google.
14. Rash cream - for chaffing that will happen after you try anything new (new speed or distance or new clothes or shoes)
15. Chapstick or lip-balm 
16. Hankerchief or Kleenex - for the snot
17. Phone, ipod, water bottle - depending on your needs.
18. Shoes - this shouldn't be the last in the list, but .... Get running shoe which fit correctly, maybe with a gap in the front. Try out a run in the store. And it needs replacement every 300-400 miles in general.



Winter running gear:

19. This video is the best resource I could find about the right clothing for cold weather running or snow running: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eC5toC0vms
20. 22 Genius Running Hacks For When It’s Cold AF Outside
21. Here is the list for running in sub 30F weather:
• Tech shirts - Layering tech shirts is very useful. In sub-30F, 2-3 shirts and in sub-10F, 3-4 shirts will be needed. What is different about tech shirts, is that they are made of synthetic material and designed to wick the sweat away from your skin. If the cloth touching you skin is wet, pretty soon it will freeze up and frostbite that area of your body. On those lines, cotton is sin in cold weather running. Because cotton absorbs the moisture and keeps it there. So always look for "wick dry". (Target Tech t-shirts)
• Wind-sheeter jacket - to stop wind from entering inside and cooling your core.
• Compression tights - those pants are a blessing to run outside in temps below 60F
• Neck gaiter - protects neck from cold wind. Also from breathing in that freezing air.
• Cap
• Chapstick or lipbalm
• Here is my updated list in new blog post.




Summer Running tips:









I totally love the outdoor runs in spring & fall; even winter. Its summer that I am scared of. The increased heat can tire us easily. Cloth choice should be using current temp + 10F as guideline. Water & electrolyte replacement is important. So is the time of day and location of run.
Both the below articles are very useful giving details to all these choices. Do read through them before start the summer runs.


• Running in the Heat | Runners World
• Tips for running in the Summer heat | Runner Unleashed



Running in Rain:

22. 10 Tips for Running in the Rain - How to Dress for Wet Weather Runs



Race info:

23. Race is such a moral-booster to participate in a race. Numerous website maintain the schedule location-wise. Find one for your location:


• http://www.runningintheusa.com/Race/
• http://www.roadracerunner.com/Races/RunningCalendar.aspx?state=mn
• http://www.halfmarathons.net/usa_half_marathons_minnesota.html
• http://indiarunning.com/marathon-calendar-2014.html


24. Race day gear should be as per the weather of the race day. Be prepared for all variations (like heat & rain on the same morning), coz it can be very unpredictable.
25. Likewise, ensure your cheering squad is dressed for the day. They may have to wait out in the open, exposed to all elements. So they should not forget their umbrellas, wind-jackets, caps and more.



Nutrition:

26. General rule is to have some nutrition if the run is last more than 1 hour. And then every 30-40 minutes. This will help sustain the run and not hit a wall, which pretty much makes us give-up on the long run. 
27. If you run in loops, then leave the food/nutrition with water at your rest stop. If its a no-repeat trail, numerous belts & backpaks are available to carry nutrition with you.
28. Nutrition choices are enormous. It can be locally available fruits (banana, figs, dates) and processed options (clif bars, Gu, beans, gels, electrolyte/gaterade/powerade).
29. The glucose-dense food will quickly nourish after the stores exhausted after 1 hr run. They gives the jump needed to go the extra mile.
30. Long Distance Nutrition Planning



Breathing & Posture:

31. Breathing: Inhale thru nose & exhale via mouth. Beginner tendency is to breathe from mouth. In the long run, it dries up the mouth & throat. So practice to inhale via nose & exhale via mouth.
32. Breathing: The recommended way to breathe is from diaphragm, and not just inflating chest. So the trick, is to tummy-out when inhale and tummy-in when exhale. This needs practice in 3 steps - in daily life, while practice runs and then graduating to when hard runs. 
33. Breathe Like A Pro
34. The Simple Technique That Will Help You Run Longer
35. Running form - in simple terms
36. And then there are whole lot of instructions about body posture. Numerous bloggers & run magazine write about them regularly. Here is a helpful pictorial:






Other tips:

37. While running watch the horizon. Not on the ground or sky. Helps keep the focus. In winter, snow or black ice made me watch the ground a lot and as much I loved the crunch of snow, in spring I realize it's so much freeing now to look away from ground.
38. Mucous generation increases. So carry tissue or hankie to clear nose when needed.
39. Race recovery .



More Links:

40. Stepping Up The Pace: 19 Ways To Shave Down Your Race Time
41. Hal Koerner's Ultrarunning Commandments
42. The Hardest Parts About Being A New Runner
43. http://www.nytimes.com/well/guides/how-to-start-running



Mandatory Buzzfeed lists:

44. 19 Insanely Clever Hacks And Tricks To Improve Your Run
45. 21 Secrets Runners Won’t Tell You
46. 25 Things Non-Runners Don’t Get About Runners
47. 75 Thoughts Every Runner Has While Out For A Run
48. The 71 Stages Of Running A Half Marathon With Little To No Training
49. Watching People Have To Walk Down Stairs After Running A Marathon Is Surprisingly Hilarious
50. 22 Unexpected Things That Happen When You Run Your First Half Marathon
51. All The Worst Things That Happen Running
52. 26.2 Observations That Every First Time Marathon Runner Makes
53. 24 Clever Tips To Get In Shape That Lazy People Will Appreciate