Running

Running is a great, low cost way to get active. For lots of people, running is a way of clearing their mind and relaxing. You don’t have to be a sprinter or trained marathon athlete to enjoy running. All you need is a pair of trainers and a route.

Whether your last run was in school, or you’ve never run before, this page is here to help you take your first step — at your pace, in your way.

“I’ll look silly”, “I’m too slow”, “People will stare” – Have you ever said one of these? You’re not alone. Many people have felt this way before, local residents like Danielle and Amy to name just a couple. But you don’t have to run fast or far to enjoy running. If you’re moving forward – even for 30 seconds at a time – you’re doing brilliantly.

So, why start running in the first place?

Running can:

• Fit easily around your schedule
• Be a great way to meet new people if you join a club (like Gus did!)
• Improve your mood, reduce stress and boost your self-confidence
• Strengthen your muscles and heart

Plus, once you bought a pair of trainers, it’s free!

Running can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! You don’t need to be fast, “fit”, or look a certain way to get started. In fact, walking with short bursts of running is how many people begin. Because that’s the key – start gently and build your way up to longer distances.

How to start:

1. Start with walk-run intervals – Alternate between walking and short bursts of jogging. For example, you could walk for 2 minutes, jog for 30 seconds, repeat for 10–15 minutes and gradually increase the jog time as you feel ready.
2. Use an app – Lots of people find the Couch to 5K app really useful. It is a 9 week program that slowly builds each week to a 5k run in week 9. Read our Tech Explorer, Jen’s review of Couch to 5k to get the insight before downloading it.
3. Wear what feels comfortable – No need for expensive kit. Just wear whatever makes you feel good!

Get more top tips on starting running from Run Together.

Running can be very sociable and can be a great way to meet new people.  Whether you choose to run with family and friends or join a local group having the support of others is a great way to stay motivated and running together can be great fun.

There are numerous free group run/jogs across Hampshire organised by Run Together. They offer a number of different runs for different abilities. Perfect for those who want the social side of running. You can also join your local Vitality ParkRun. Held on Saturday mornings, ParkRun hosts 5K runs supported by local volunteers.

Running is a great way to explore the coastal and country paths in Hampshire. However, it’s important to find the right route for you. With the New Forest, the South Downs and many other parks to choose from. There are lots of options for those who want to be close to nature when they run. Run Together also have a number of marked routes that still allow you to take in the beauty of nature.

If you’d rather stay close to home, there are some great apps and websites that help you track and create routes starting from your front door. Our Tech explorers have been trying out different apps so you can get the low down before downloading them.