Running Tips - Starting Again After A Layoff
Have you ever had to cut back on your mileage or even stop running for an extended period of time? Are you not quite sure how to get started back again? Are you afraid of coming back too fast and getting injured?
For the past 5-6 months, that has been my situation. There have been some major things going on in my life that have caused me to run about 1/4 - 1/2 the mileage that I would usually be running at this time.
It's been important to me, though, that I have the support of my family when I need to take a little time for myself to get my run in. Even tough, it could be 4:00 in the morning or 11:00 at night.
However, it's time to get started building my mileage again. And, I got to thinking how there may be some more of you out there that may be in the same situation. You've had to completely take some time off - or you've been doing less mileage. It may even been that you take a little time off during the winter.
I wanted to give you some running tips for getting started again.
Remember to start small and take it slowly. You may even want to just run a mile each time you go out for the first week. If you've been off for quite a while - you may even want to do a run/walk until you can complete the distance. Then, when you can do that comfortably - work up to 2 miles, each workout, etc.
Make sure you are putting a rest day in between your runs. When you are just coming back - 3 days a week on the roads is good.
You also want to make sure that you are watching your form. Sometimes after a layoff, you forget about your form. So, make sure that you are watching your posture maintaining proper form.
Make sure you are warming up before you head out for your run. Now, you've heard me say before that I am not an advocate of stretching cold muscles. I still believe that overstretching cold muscles can lead to injury. But, you can walk a few minutes slowly before you head into your run.
Having a layoff or cutback on your running will probably happen to every runner at one time or another. But, it's OK. Just come back slowly and be smart! Remember, we want to stay runners for life!
About the Author
As you can see, taking care of your knees is important to your success as a runner. Visit http://runninginjurytips.com and download my free report for helping you to stay injury free. You can also sign up for my Free weekly newsletter at http://RunnerForLife.com.
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