Go fast. Go slow. Go long. Go short. Knowing when to push yourself and when to back off can drive you crazy. If you think too hard about it, training can seem really complicated. And as exercise science learns more about human performance, sports terminology grows increasingly complex. However, what science uncovers often supports many tried-and-true training practices. 

Running can bring an amazing blend of benefits: a great attitude, more vitality, clear thinking, a unique sense of freedom and a genuine sense of accomplishment. Most runners feel so positive about these benefits that they influence at least 10 other people a year to hop on the running bandwagon. If you’re one of these people and are thinking about taking up the sport but don’t quite know how to go about it, read on. With the following 10 tips, I’ve taken a conservative approach to get you started so that you ease into it and avoid any aches and pains. If you stick with it, you just may find yourself getting hooked on running.

Not one menu is a perfect fit for all athletes, but there are some general rules that everyone can use as a guide during the final 24 hours leading into your race.

“The greatest thing about [the Ironman 70.3 series] is that it gives virtually any serious triathlete the opportunity to compete in an Ironman-branded event, side by side with the greatest athletes in the world.”
Top Photo: The Vineman Ironman 70.3 by Jerry Meshulam

In her new book, Run Your First Marathon,Grete Waitz, nine-time winner of the New York City marathon, points out one of the wonderful draws of the marathon. “No matter who we are,” she writes, “at some point we are all first-time marathoners. All of us share that. That’s the beauty of the race — Olympians and all-comers share the same event.”

Taking on the duo-role as student-athlete at the collegiate level can present challenges that are both stressful and rewarding at the same time. Balancing early morning practices, frequent double workouts, classes, class work, sleep and a social life leaves little breathing room and can hurt the student-athlete academically and athletically if they are not managing their time effectively.