Become a Runner (With a Capital R)

By mariasmith76 HERWriter Blogger

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Photo: Getty Images

It has been said that anyone can run, but not everyone can be a "Runner". Runners are the people who get in their miles when it's 100 degrees in Georgia and 20 below zero in Wisconsin. They run up hills like it is no problem and go around and around the track at the gym like it's nothing.

They look good. They look strong. Their jeans fit them well. But, are they born with the running gene?

Can one learn how to be a Runner? Or, is the rest of the population destined to just sweat it out on the treadmill without ever feeling like they are getting somewhere?

Lorraine Sanabria Robertson, who very aptly blogs under the name Run Wifey Run, is a Runner. She has run two marathons (during her first marathon she ran AND tweeted for the Washington Post) and six half-marathons. She is doing all this after the age of 40 (though most people wouldn't guess that she was a day over 30).

From her blog, readers learn that she wasn't always a Runner but decided to get healthier and running fit the bill. Through trial and error, she found the way and now running seems to be a way of life for her.

In a recent post after her most recent half-marathon on Thanksgiving day, she reminisced about how far she had come from when she first started running marathons six years ago. She writes, "I didn’t know what I was doing in 2005. Proper training, fueling and great support makes all the difference."

Now that she is running 10 minute miles and ran the half marathon in 2:29, she is living proof that Runners can be made.

For anyone who wants to be made into a Runner, Women's Health magazine offers some good tips:

1. Buy the right equipment.
This means buying good shoes (expect to pay $75 or more). Also don’t forget a good sports bra. Since a woman’s breasts can move up and down up to 8 inches when she is active, it could cause unnecessary pain to not have good protection. A bra that holds each breast in a separate cup works better for running than a shelf bra.

2. Get started.
Start off slow and ease into running at first. However, the hardest part is just getting started and taking the first steps. There is no perfect day, season, or year to start running. Today is just as good as any day ... and even better than tomorrow.

3. Increase runs gradually. Women’s Health magazine suggests starting with a run two minutes, walk three minutes interval. Gradually up the running time each week and by the time the seventh week starts, the runner should be able to run 30 minutes straight.

4. Stretch.
Stretching after a short warmup and then again after running will help the runner stay flexible and reduce the risk of injury. Don’t stretch when the muscles are cold as that can lead to injury.

Runners are more often made than born. Over time and with determination and persistence, anyone can learn how to run like a Runner!

Source:

RunWifeyRun.com. Web. 25 November, 2011. "Atlanta Half-Marathon Recap". http://www.runwifeyrun.com/2011/11/25/atlanta-half-marathon-race-recap

WomensHealthMag.com. Web. 30 November, 2011. "Running tips: How to get started". http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/start-running-0?page=2

Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.