and piece of advice for you: breathe with your steps. for example – inhale for two steps, exhale for two steps. this is good because it helps regulate your breathing and it helps you to maintain a pace because you have to breathe as fast as you have to breathe and so you time your steps with it and it also ensures that you are taking deep enough breaths and not little shallow ones.

it’s also a really good idea to work your core if you’re going to be “serious” about running. mostly because your core is going to help stabilize your body which means fewer injuries. and LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! if it hurts, don’t assume it’s nothing (don’t assume you’re going to die either). there’s good hurt that you can run through and then there’s bad hurt and you NEED to stop. trust me.

i’m a runner type, so any q’s you got can go to me. and yes, i know this advice is probably REALLY REALLY REALLY after you need it. oh wells.

I know the name can sound a little hard core – but when you’re starting out it can be as simple as doing 3 sets of 10 lunges per leg (no weights) anytime during the day a few times a week. As the lunges get easier, you can add simple moves like squats or whatever you are comfortable doing. Sit-ups (or any core work) is great too because when your core is strong your form improves, making everything more efficient.

Not to ramble or get too technical, but the reason strength training is so important is that by stressing your muscles in this way, it creates strong ligaments and tendons to support your joints, which helps prevent injury. It’s good for your bones, and as your legs get stronger it will help your endurance, help you recover faster, and even boosts your metabolism to better convert food into energy.

All in all, the benefits will really show when you run because you’ll start to notice it all becomes MUCH easier.

Haha, okay I’m done.

Good luck!!

Good luck for the 5k.