7 of the BEST RUNNING TIPS and HACKS I wish I KNEW as a Beginner runner! Get FASTER!

I've been running for quite a while now but here are the things I wish I had known when I first started out on my running journey. Learning these things has helped me become a much faster, stronger and happier runner! What do you wish you had known before you started? Let me know in the comments below!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALL NEW RUNNING HATS, HOODIES, TEES IN STOCK WITH FAST WORLDWIDE SHIPPING!
Code YOUTUBE for 10% off your order. Thank you for your support!

Kit from the video

Links from the video

TRAINING PLANS TO GET YOU THAT PB YOU DESERVE!

Follow along on Social Media!

Ways to help

Filming Kit

#gettingitdone #benparkes #running

[ollieflj]

When I started I think the thing that took me the longest to realise that I wished I knew was that running was as, if not more, important for my mental health as it is for my physical health. This realisation unlocked so much, such as just going out and taking in your environment (which makes running when away from home so much more rewarding), it made running slow and easy much easier and guilt free because the goal of those runs is to just enjoy them, and overall it has allowed me to manage my depression and anxiety without medication (which I know isn’t for everyone but it works for me).

[deadspaniel]

I’m still a beginner but my tip is ‘avoid comparing yourself to others, focus only on yourself, your body and YOUR run’.
Thanks for all your help and advice on my journey Ben🙂

[ianlowe]

Outstanding Video Ben. Been running 20 years 4 marathons and countless halves and my tip for a beginner is don’t think you have to literally run all of your runs! If you want to stop and walk for a bit it’s fine and it’s not a failure. Even now after all this time if I see something I like on my run, maybe a shop window or a nice garden I stop for a moment to take it in then move on. Like Ben when I first started running I thought I had to run all the way and as fast as I could and all I succeeded in doing was running fast toward injury !!!
Great work Ben as always. Ian

[GeesDrive]

For me, an everyday average runner; avoiding the obsession with pace and times was the what turned running into a habit. It got far more injuries and experienced unpleasant runs by an obsession with pace. Also exploring local trails, new routes and getting muddy are the types of runs I never would have done starting out. All the best Ben :-)

[Hannah_jo]

I’m a beginner runner who has only done a couple 5ks and my goal has been to finish and have fun. If you’re new like me, my advice is to not worry about your times and just make sure you’re enjoying it so you don’t quit. The speed can come later! ☺️

[williamcrawford]

Mine would be that it's OK to take a few days off if you've got a minor injury! It's better to take that time off and avoid it turning into something serious; you'll lose hardly any fitness from a short amount of time off

[think-islam-channel]

As a beginner.
Best thing I learnt was Jeffing.
Walk, run, walk run.

Went from medical issues caused by running, to completing a marathon and several halfs in 2 years.

[Trailrunner]

My top tip: Learn from and listen to your body. Do everything from supereasypace runs with even some walking the hills up to speed tempo and all out timetrials or racing.

[RUPERTWRHODES]

Patience is the biggest lesson i've learned in running. In many ways it's the hardest part of running to master. Another great video, thanks Ben!

[erics]

As a beginner I only had one pace! It took time to develop the endurance and speed to allow different paces.

[Whale]

I’ve noticed no one ever warms up. Warming up properly as well as a cool down significantly increases performance as well as reduces injury

[oliveuk]

Volume training made the biggest difference for me.

In the past I only ran Sundays (21k) and got stuck in the 3h20 at marathons for years!!! Once I started averaging 50k a week (200k a month), this is how I finally reached sub 3h10 (Boston 2022).

Also yeah, carbon shoes only work for people who fully extend their back leg and run faster than 4mins/km so don't bother with those expensive shoes if you are slower.

[CSRunner]

Also really agree on sleep. I’m so poorly disciplined when it comes to sleep but always get my best runs done after more rest. Also, every article you read with all elites mentions sleep and rest.

[Gavinfunk]

Best tip ive got is to slow down. I was doing everything at threshold and never really enjoyed running until i slowed down.

[sambassett]

When starting out I was guilty of falling in to the one pace trap too. Recipe for plateau and injury! Great tips Ben 👍🏼

[vicpivo]

I am going to echo a lot of what others have said. Run for the enjoyment of it. Yes some runs feel easier than others but if you find you are not wanting to go then don’t beat yourself.
I have just got my running mojo back after struggling with knee pain for over a year and I am having to remind myself not to over do it. Not to go from 1k to 10. Gradually build up your distance or time.

[shanewilson]

Great video. I actually miss London when I watch these videos, especially if they’re around Greenwich. So many memories.

[aidanoc]

Totally agree, compare yourself to no-one but yourself a week, a month, a year ago, etc. There's always someone just out of reach.
Try different events and get a feel for your calling. When you target a distance, then always try both shorter and longer distances to improve your speed and stamina in your preparation.

[derrunnr]

Apart from these tips, I wished I had knows earlier about the importance of running slow: in particular for longer distance races (half marathons and more), it is quite important to have something like 80% of my training at a low heart rate, i.e. running slow. And that is something I found quite challenging in the beginning^^

[misterwalker]

Thanks for the reminders Ben! Recently I’ve really learnt the importance of just having some easy runs, with no race to train for I was a bit lost but regular easy runs has really helped improve my fitness (before I got covid last week and now my body is so tired!). I like using my Polar OH1 with my Garmin and keeping my HR as low as possible.
Another thing is the friendliness and openness of the running community, running is more than just running, for a lot of people it’s a moment of reflection and helps their mental health. Connecting with others who value the same things has really helped me, especially during the pandemic!