The weather is getting nicer and it's not just dog walkers that we see out getting their daily miles anymore, the runners are out in force too! We know just how hard it can be to get into running or even how tough it is for those of us who have run in the past to start up again now that the weather is getting nicer. Yes, I am a self proclaimed summer runner and you will not find me out in the rain or snow. 

Getting back into the swing of things this year has been tougher than others so I have turned to podcasts, apps, workout platforms and YouTube for all the help I can get and I want to share with you just what has helped me go from 1km back up to 10km in just a couple months. 

Break up your runs with interval training

Running intervals of time instead of miles was also a really beneficial way for me to get back into without expectation of distance. For the first couple runs back it's a good idea to go into it with no expectations at all and simply try and enjoy it otherwise you'll not be able to run as far or as fast as you wanted to and youll lose motivation quickly. 

Recovery

For recovery I chose to watch Les Mills+ videos as I have access to that since I use their other videos however YouTube is great for cool down, recovery and yoga videos too and they are completely free. When I first started out with running I always wanted to skip the cool down and the stretch because it took up too much time but really the stretch is so beneficial and an absolute must to avoid injury. 

Cross Training

Running might feel like it's simply a lower body workout but it actually is a really great core workout too. You want to aim to run tall and to be able to do that you need to have a strong core, better yet just a whole song body. Cross training, which requires you to do multiple different workouts that target different parts of your body is really great for your heart and means you avoid over straining the muscles your body uses to run. 

Clothing and comfort 

Running is hard to begin with but it does get easier with practice as does everything else in life. To make sure that it's as easy and enjoyable as possible get yourself some well fitting running shoes, comfortable clothing for the weather you're running in and ,if you need one, a good high impact sports bra to avoid the dreaded chafing. 

Find Your Motivation

The Nike Run app really is a great platform for runners of all levels with so many different running workouts and styles to pick from. Everything from 4 week plans to half marathon plans and even single workouts focusing on different styles of running such as easy runs, speed runs, long runs and recovery runs. They even have a couple with the app Headspace which helps you come back to your body and get out of your own way. 

If you like an app that's a little more run rather than serious then check out the Zombies Run app. This app involves you leaving your base to collect supplies in an apocalyptic world by running. There are periods of sprint too where you will have to outrun the zombie hoard.