| Training is an important aspect of being a runner. | | | | Choose a Program |
| Whether you are a beginner and you are looking to | | | | Based on your list of goals, you are ready to choose |
| increase your stamina or you've been running for a | | | | or develop a runner training program that will work for |
| while and want to run faster or train for an event such | | | | you. If you need help, consult with someone who has |
| as a marathon, training is something that is an essential | | | | more experience than you. |
| part of the sport. | | | | For example, if your goal is to run a marathon, you will |
| There is an art to choosing a good training program. | | | | want to choose a training schedule that will help you |
| The program you choose will depend on your goals | | | | run a successful race. But, there are so many |
| and your needs. Here is some advice that will help you | | | | programs out there that it can be difficult choosing the |
| find a runner training program that will work for you. | | | | one that is right for you. A beginning marathon runner |
| Decide on Your Goals | | | | will not follow the same program as someone who is |
| The first step to choosing a runner training program is | | | | racing in their fifth marathon. |
| to decide on your goals. If you are a beginner, your | | | | In general, look for a runner training program that is a |
| training program will look a lot different than someone | | | | little challenging but not out of your reach. You don't |
| who is running their third marathon. | | | | want to get discouraged and then give up. |
| Sometimes a goal will be personal such as a desire to | | | | Stick With It |
| run five miles without stopping to rest. Other times a | | | | You can spend a lot of time setting goals and fining a |
| goal will be focused on an event such as running a 10K | | | | training program, but if you don't stick with it, your |
| or a marathon. And often, people will run to help them | | | | efforts will not mean anything. Everyone has different |
| lose weight or to build up their overall state of health. | | | | ways of finding their motivation. Once you find what |
| Once you decide on your goals, write them down and | | | | motivates you, sticking with your training plan will get |
| put them in places where you can see them often. | | | | much easier. |
| Turn the goal statements into affirmations and recite | | | | It takes a while to establish a routine. Before a routine |
| them a few times each day. For example, if you want | | | | is in place, you may feel disorganized or unmotivated. |
| to use running to help you lose ten pounds, your | | | | Give yourself a few weeks to establish a good routine |
| affirmation could be: "Running is helping me lose ten | | | | before you start getting discouraged. Often, the routine |
| pounds." | | | | will make you more motivated. |