Yes, unless an individual has a condition that renders running impossible or painful. Humans evolved to run, it's our natural locomotion. It's such an accessible way to keep fit, and the barrier to entry is so low as you only need yourself and your running shoes to get started. Running with a group of friends is a wonderfully social activity.
Absolutely go for it but take things easy at first, both the pace and distance of each run. Volume and intensity should be judiciously increased over several weeks as injuries in runners are all too common. A walk/run/walk/run plan may suit a new runner best. Rest and recover fully between runs. Be aware of your limitations and work with them. Target events should be realistic and the training load safely manageable. And, please, don't run through injuries or pain; let yourself recover and heal.
Race runners: There are three key things to get right before a long run, whether it is a training run or the main event itself. Firstly, be hydrated, especially if the weather is warm and taking on water during the run is difficult.
Second, be replete with energy. The night before an endurance activity should include a balanced main meal (there isn't a great need to hugely 'carb load' unless you want to add a little fat to yourself!) and at least 2 hours before the activity itself a meal that contains slow-release carbs may be ideal. Whole oats porridge is my go-to for this.
Thirdly, warm up appropriately. Walk, jog, increase blood flow to the muscles being used in the activity and gradually increase intensity during the warm-up. On the start line, single leg calf raises prep the calves for the hard work they're about to be asked to do and may reduce injury risk.
New runners out for a short run: Focus on a thorough warm-up, just as the race runners would. That may be 1 minute of air squats before leaving the house to warm up all lower body musculature or maybe 20 of the dreaded burpees! Build up from either a fast walk or light jog into your steady running pace gradually. Don't rush into doing high intensity intervals or sprints as the risk of injury will increase. Post-run, take on water and consider a short cooldown routine which may include static stretching. The Echelon Fit App contains a selection of ideal workouts.
This depends on your goals for the run. On The Echelon Fit App the instructors actually guide you through this - they'll give you a suggested range for your speed and incline throughout the class, and you can adjust that based on your fitness level. There are also programmes that guide beginners through this so they're familiar with the treadmill settings and how to get the most out of it. For those who like to run freestyle I'd suggest warming-up with a walk or slow run first, of course, then select the settings based on whether it's a HIIT (higher speed) or endurance run (lower speed), for example, and have fun!
Many runners do no other type of training and that works just fine for them. However, a stronger body is less likely to get injured and can make a runner more economical. A stronger body is also able to withstand a higher training load and recover more quickly. So, full-body strength training, practiced by all elite runners, is a sensible addition to a runner's training plan. For those who may struggle with the high-impact nature of running but still want to improve their running and cardio fitness, indoor cycling is a great low-impact way to do so. It's less stress on your joints and muscles and a great addition to a running routine.
Fancy taking an Echelon Treadmill and the Echelon Fit App for a spin? We've collaborated with Echelon to give you the chance to win an Echelon Stride Smart Treadmill, a 6 month Echelon membership and a 1 year supply of the Zooki Performance Bundle (which includes Vitamin C and Vitamin D Zooki). Head over to our Instagram to enter.
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