Ultimate Guide for Beginning Runners Who Want to Boost Their Workouts

Running is a great workout, but for those who are just starting out, it can be a challenge that leads to some serious goal-setting. Many runners eventually end up joining races and marathons, but in order to get to that point, you have to make some changes to your routine. Boosting your workouts with technology, tools, and complementary activities like Yin Yoga, can help you gain strength and stamina, which will allow you to quickly meet your goals. Tracking your progress is a great way to get started, as it will help you stay on top of your strengths and work on your weaknesses.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to boost your running workouts. From finding the right tools to investing in gear that will help you stay cool and dry during your run, there are many resources available for beginning runners who want to boost their workouts. Here are a few tips on how to take your runs to the next level.

Check Out a Fitness Tracker

Fitness trackers have become all the rage in recent years as more and more people look for easy ways to stay healthy. For runners, a fitness tracker can be a useful tool in monitoring heart rate and steps, but some of the newer models can even provide an electrocardiogram and an SOS signal should you fall and become injured or have an emergency while on your run. As always, research the features you’d like most from a fitness tracker before you decide to buy.

Get Some Headphones

Do you need good music to get you going? When you’re running, do you prefer to listen to audiobooks or podcasts? Regardless of what motivates you, you may want to invest a little money in some headphones. Fortunately, there are headphones available that will suit just about everyone, from traditional wired, over-the-ear options to earbuds that connect to your device using Bluetooth. Whatever you choose, make sure the product you choose can keep up with your training!

Work Out With a Friend

Workouts can become tedious if you’re alone every time, so invite a friend to run with you now and then, or consider joining a running group that you can meet up with once or twice a week. This is a great way to boost your motivation and to hold yourself accountable for your workout, especially when your schedule is busy or when you’re tired. Once you’re ready to start training for a marathon, however, it’s a good idea to head out alone, since running a marathon can be an isolating experience. Bring your earbuds and focus on your movements.

Recover

Your body needs time to recover after your runs, so it’s important to work out a schedule that will help you cool down and rest. A good rule of thumb is to run one day and rest the next. This will give your muscles, bones, and respiratory system time to build up strength so you’ll be ready to go again without pain or fear of injury. It’s also a good idea to take your time and relax your body as much as possible while you’re running so you can avoid overexertion.

Invest in the Right Resources

Running can be a great form of exercise and can even boost your mental health, but it’s also very hard on the body if it’s not done properly. Without the right shoes and other gear, you run the risk of sustaining a serious injury, so invest in the right resources for your needs. Running shoes can be a bit pricey, but they’re worth it in the long run. Along with the right shoes, you should make sure you have good socks that will prevent blisters and increase blood flow.

Running is a wonderful way to stay in shape — but only when it’s done correctly. You may feel that it’s an easy workout, but once you get started, you might find that running is much more difficult than you realized. Try to relax, focus on your breathing, and come prepared with the right tools for the task so you can avoid injury and enjoy the process.

To see how valuable a Yin yoga practice can be as you become a better runner — and in life, in general — explore this video on why Yin is NOT restorative Yoga.

Blog contributed by Dylan Foster, creator at healthwellwise.com
Photo via Pixabay