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The best beginners running route
After you have been running for a while mixing some variety into your routes is essential.
Why? Stopping boredom is a big factor, taking advantage of your run to relax and take in some views is another. There are solid training reasons too; mixing up different terrain, different surfaces, adding in hills sections and so on.
But right now you need to put all of this to the back of your mind.
As you are just starting out and especially if you are in stage one the the beginners running plan, then keeping things simple is your priority right now.
There will be plenty of time to begin mixing it up later in stage two.
Top tips for selecting your first running route
Your front door – this should be your start and finish line.
Getting out running can be tough some days. Just being able to step out and get started can be a real plus and is the beauty of running over a gym membership when losing weight.
There is no trip to the gym, now car or bus ride to put you off or give you and excuse to skip a session.
You’ve just got to get yourself out of the door. So choose a running route close to home, you’ll be more likely to stick to your plan.
Make it as flat as you can – avoid any hilly ground in your route. Trying to climb hills at a running pace this early on is going to make you drop back to a walk and probably over exert yourself.
Short inclines are generally unavoidable but are fine. As long as they are short you can adjust your pace to deal with them.
If you live in a particular hilly area then you’ll need to try and plan your route to minimise ups and downs when you are running. Perhaps you can fit any major up or down hill stretches into your warm up and warm down sections.
Stay ‘on road’ – when you are new to running, you’re going to be asking a lot of your feet, ankles and knees and all of the connected tendons. Staying on a flat, firm surface will help keep your footing firm and make it easier to maintain ‘good form’ when running.
It takes time to train your whole body to run and your legs; tendons, muscles and all, will gradually build up additional strength allowing you to cope with a variety of terrain and surfaces from sand to farmers fields.
Right now that strength is not there, so you are more susceptible to injury.
Minimise that risk by staying on a good surface, basically making sure you are in control of your balance, foot placement and that you’re able to maintain a good posture.
Traffic free – stay away from busy road and traffic as much as you possibly can. Both so that you are running in cleaner air but also because traffic is a more of a hazard when you are running , as crossing roads at speed needs quicker thinking and better observation at times. Something that needs practice.
But above all, you’ll be running in cleaner air!
Stay urban – cross country running can be a great experience, no traffic, no people and close to nature but staying in an urban areas around houses, and residential areas, where people walk can be a better choice.
Not just because of the good terrain but because there is help close if you need assistance at any time.
Light at night – if you are running in hours of darkness whether it at night or in the early morning, choose well lighten urban routes.
It’s important to take extra steps to stay safe at night and choosing a well lighten, populated route is a good choice.
Extensible – as your training progresses you are going to be spending more time each session running rather than walking. So you are gradually going to be covering more ground and need to extend your route.
Its not something you need to work out right away but as you use your route, watch out for possible extensions taking you that little bit further, or sections where you can add a loop in to get your some extra distance when you need it.
So these are some of the top things to consider when planning that first route.
Another good tip is to watch out for other runners who you see regularly heading off somewhere, its quite likely that some of the better local routes around you are already in use.
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