Your Runspiration: 25 of your Best Beginner Tips

Running is the start to a healthier, fitter and happier life, but getting started can be daunting. We asked our followers to share their top tips for beginners, hard won by experience! Here are 25 of the best.

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1. "Don't try and do too much all at once. If you're new to running be prepared to run for a minute and walk for minute, and build up from there."  Linda Murgatroyd

2. "Get a pair of decent running shoes" Vicky Jones

3. "Make sure u get into a comfortable breathing pattern in every run, as breathing smoothly is key to any run" John Oaten

4. "Never run with a full bladder, especially if you are female!"  Sally Wheelhouse

5. "Always warm up and stretch!!!"  Patsy Prior

6. "Join your local Saturday Park Run" Andrew Fennell

7. "Try C25K by the NHS. It's a good way to gradually get yourself running 5K"  Daniel Everington

8. "The aim is to improve yourself, set targets ( start small). Every runner is your brother/sister in arms"  Russell Buchanan

9. "Don't overdo it, and find out how to run properly. Obey the 10% rule" Richard Hamer

10. "Have fun, don't hurry and listen to your body"  Yiannis Athanasiou

11. "Start slow, with short distances, and don't compare yourself to others, it's a personal achievement & other runners will respect you. Improvement will come quicker than you imagine and once you feel comfortable, sign yourself up for a run, so you have something to aim for, and so you get to experience the sense of achievement in completing it" Start slow, with short distances, and don't compare yourself to others, it's a personal achievement & other runners will respect you. Improvement will come quicker than you imagine and once you feel comfortable, sign yourself up for a run, so you have something to aim for, and so you get to experience the sense of achievement in completing it"  Helen Attwood

12. "You have to realise that the hardest step is always going to be the first one out of the door. Enjoy just being out and about either in a group or on your own. Don't forget, if you are not walking you are runner, if you are walking', it's fartlek."  Carl Walker

13. "Put a target, follow it, don't give up!" Nikolas Kanitakis

14. "Join a club/group, put one foot in front of the other, smile, set a realistic target to aim for and just enjoy the long term benefits it will bring" John Crowder

15. Just get out there and see where your feet take you. Don't be afraid to walk either. I often have intervals when I walk, especially on the hills. I would also recommend a warm down after any run" Jason Parkinson

16. "Shoes! Don't search for a cheap shoe, search and get some good shoes at a specialist" Michiel van Diman

17. "Buy a FOAM ROLLER immediately, don't wait for "runner's knee" like me to get one!!" Mark Turner

18. "Say hi, morning, evening when passing another runner on the streets' it will always make you smile. Try not to get too stuck in the zone and enjoy it" Andrew Robertson

19. "It took me a while to realise that nobody cares about what you look like when you run, and it is also fine to walk. People admire you for making the effort, so just get out there and do it!" Melody Vasey

20. "Running is a long distance race, don't overspeed, run slowly" Victor Del Corte Lora

21. "Run with a friend - someone of the same ability. You'll motivate each other when you don't feel like running" Dan Cartner

22. "Keep going!" Jane Oakley

23. "Enjoy it, nice n easy, build up slooowly" Phil Newman

24. "The hardest step is the first one out the front door' so focus, instead, on the last step back home" Martin Bown

25. "Most of all, take your time and enjoy" Paddy Sharkey

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Are you feeling inspired? Then join our SportsShoes Strava Run Club and become part of our inclusive community.
And for more inspirational tips to become stronger, better and happier, then check out our Motivation category. Because it’s no fun standing still.