My Running Diary

I never did that. I mean, I never made a New Years Resolution to start running and get fit.

I can see why I didn’t too, it’s a rotten time of year to decide to change your life and get fit and exert yourself. Very short days, very little light, cold, wet and miserable. I don’t think it’s a great time to get out there and do new stuff, if it goes wrong it’s just so de-motivating isn’t it?

Anyway, can you imagine starting out on your new running regime this week? As I speak there’s still 6 inches of snow sitting on the lawn outside and the pavements are smooth with packed snow and ice. Perfect way to go out and break an arm or a leg!

No it’s not big and it’s not clever, running in icy weather is just plain stupid if you ask me. I’m planning to have a long life and keep running throughout it, so missing six months of running because I broke my leg running on ice holds no appeal whatsoever.

One advantage of starting running at this time of year is that you can get a great deal on your running shoes in the sales! Decathlon have some fantastic discounts on good running shoes at this time of year. My preference is for ASIC GT2140’s, a brilliant running shoe that never lets me down.

Of course that’s another great mistake when you first start running, everyone you talk to is an expert on the right running shoes… Yeah right… Take my advice (I’m an expert on the right running shoes… ) you’ll need to try a few different brands and models of shoe before you find one that suits you, when you do find one stick with it as best you can. The perfect running shoe for you is as individual as your finger prints.

Don’t think you need to spend a fortune either, if you can find a cheap shoe that works for you and you don’t get any niggling injuries from using them then good for you! You’ll need to replace them every six months… think about that when you decide that a £200 pair of shoes is exactly what you need…

Oh yes. Decathlon do some really great running gear for very little money too. Shorts, shirts, gloves, hats, they’ve got all the angles covered. I still only buy Ron Hills running longs though… they last for ages and are comfortable right to the end!

If you really have made a New Years Resolution to get fit then do yourself a favour, sort out your diet and find yourself an indoor circuit training class. Much more fun at this time of year and less likely to go wrong. Check out your local running clubs and find one that has a beginners group and some decent coaches, you can get your road running together in a few weeks time when the snow and ice has gone!

Leave a comment and let me know what your plans are to get fit this year.