23 Pieces of Advice for a New Runner

Nathan Freeburg January 12, 2015 Advice, Beginner, Motivation

If you can remember back to your early days of running, what do you know now that you didn’t know then? Was it something about strength training, shoe selection or listening to your body? If you could go back in time, what would you tell your “new runner” self?

If you currently consider yourself a new runner, you are probably asking for all kinds of tips and advice. If it seems overwhelming or daunting to begin running, relax. It isn’t.

When I first started running, I struggled for a long time trying to figure out the whole food/digestion thing. I could never quite get it right. The timing of when to eat, and when to go to the bathroom is now a skill I would list on a resume.

Asking for Advice for a New Runner

Thinking about the challenges and struggles new runners face is something I constantly want to be aware of. It helps inform what to write about, and is often a good personal reminder. In some ways, I still consider myself a new runner, and ask as many questions as I can.

Recently I posted this question on social media and was overwhelmed with the response. This is one of the aspects of the running community I love so much – the willingness to encourage others, regardless of where they are at on the journey.

If I had to boil this list down to just three things, it would be to have fun, go at your own pace and don’t give up.

Here are 23 of the best answers to the question,

What advice would you give to a new runner?

Lisa Jo – Stop and stretch periodically, even when you are feeling like a million bucks and higher than a kite from your runner’s high and you don’t want to stop for anything…stop, and S-T-R-E-T-C-H. Then keep going.
Hannah Balfanz – Be patient with yourself! Experiencing a bad run is normal and makes the good runs that much better.
Eric Bobick – The people who told you running was a free sport, yeah, they lied.
Prithi Shetty – First few miles are liars. Never trust it and try more.
Adelheid Fischer Koski – Do not compare yourself to more experienced folks. Appreciate what your body can do.
Chalayne Palmgren – You can never have enough body glide. Never.
Jill Fitzharris Smith – Get fitted for good shoes, start slow and build up mileage/speed over time, find an accountability partner or group, and don’t quit!
Alyssa Ebel – Be patient and pace yourself. Running doesn’t have to be a race. It’s a way of life.
Don Findlay – 1. Progressively build up your time and/or distance. 2. Listen to your body. 3. You will have setbacks – but don’t see them as failures, use them as lessons
Julio C Salazar – Have fun, always have fun is great advice for a new runner!
Heather Dye Timm – Your best/worst competition is with yourself. Get your feet fitted for running shoes by a reputable running store and don’t overdo it right away.
Kelley Luckstein – Even when you don’t feel like running, run! You won’t regret it.
Jacquelyn LeMonnier – An empowering playlist is necessary! Add songs that fuel your fire and keep you going!
Tuvizo – Give importance to safety! And have fun.
Levi Strand – Always poop before you run, not while you run!
Rachel Lehcar-Mooney – No worries if you feel like crapping your shorts. Any long-term runner has been there and done that!!
Deanna Rosencrantz – Be okay with switching off between walking and running, don’t compare yourself to other runners, be proud of how far you have come, give yourself breaks, have fun with running, and set goals for yourself.
Anikka Wattnem – Get fitted for shoes. Pace yourself to avoid injury. Your only competition is yourself. Have fun!
Steve Wieber – Get your car fixed
Randy Pitan – Just have fun and relax!
Niki Ronnan – Join Moms on the Run!!
Erica Verdegan – There are so many different things but most importantly always listen to your body & never give up!
Jim Barke – First goal should not be a speed or distance but rather learn how to simply have fun running.