Running Blind? / Kate Ivey’s running plan
Would you like to take up running but don’t know where, or how to get started? Kate Ivey’s 12-week plan for beginners will get you on the right track.
While the first step is making the decision to give it a go, the second is not getting discouraged if you can’t run far at all. We all have to start somewhere and a combination of walking and running until you can build up to just running is great. It also shouldn’t all be about running. Workouts that strengthen your entire body make you a stronger, faster and more efficient runner and help to decrease your chance of injury. Fartlek training is also key to increasing your running pace – check out DediKate for inspiration.
Rest and variation is also an essential part of your success. Your shorter run of the week should be about pace, whereas your longer run is more about covering the distance required. If you are building up for a race or event, make sure you are training in the clothes and shoes that you intend to race in, and that your shoes are designed for running.
Setting yourself a goal will ensure you are getting the most out of your training and help you to prioritise it. It will also give you that extra motivation you need to do your best and is a great way of tracking progress. If you believe you can, you will! Running is a mental game, so mindset is key. Our minds are so powerful and so often they stop us from achieving what we can. We listen to negativity and lose faith in our own abilities. Be confident in yourself and trust that you CAN do it!