Choosing your first race The high profile of the London Marathon might make you think that it's a good target to aim for.
Making your racing debut a marathon is like tackling Everest after a few weeks of climbing.
If you are intent on running 26.
2 miles, you should give yourself at least a year to build up a solid endurance base.
Start with shorter distances Your first race will be a wonderful, possibly even life-changing, experience but it can also be a little nerve-wracking as you prepare for it.
Don't worry if this is the case - it is perfectly natural to be filled with self doubt.
Most runners ask themselves: Will I finish last? Will I finish at all? How fast should I run? Am I going to cramp or blister on the way? Before you start worrying about any of these things, just sign up for a race.
Making a commitment to participate is a great way to focus your training by giving you a target to aim for.
Choose a race that's close to home to minimize the amount of time you spend travelling.
Your friends and family are also more likely to support you if the race is local.
Avoid anything that is described as hilly or undulating and look for an event with more than a few hundred runners.
The bigger the event, the more likely it is to have a range of running abilities in the field.
Start with a distance you know you can manage.
If you are new to running, a 5K is a great place to start.
It's challenging but short enough that you can be sure you will finish easily, which will give you confidence for the next race, whether it's something longer or another 5K at a slightly faster pace.
Making your racing debut a marathon is like tackling Everest after a few weeks of climbing.
If you are intent on running 26.
2 miles, you should give yourself at least a year to build up a solid endurance base.
Start with shorter distances Your first race will be a wonderful, possibly even life-changing, experience but it can also be a little nerve-wracking as you prepare for it.
Don't worry if this is the case - it is perfectly natural to be filled with self doubt.
Most runners ask themselves: Will I finish last? Will I finish at all? How fast should I run? Am I going to cramp or blister on the way? Before you start worrying about any of these things, just sign up for a race.
Making a commitment to participate is a great way to focus your training by giving you a target to aim for.
Choose a race that's close to home to minimize the amount of time you spend travelling.
Your friends and family are also more likely to support you if the race is local.
Avoid anything that is described as hilly or undulating and look for an event with more than a few hundred runners.
The bigger the event, the more likely it is to have a range of running abilities in the field.
Start with a distance you know you can manage.
If you are new to running, a 5K is a great place to start.
It's challenging but short enough that you can be sure you will finish easily, which will give you confidence for the next race, whether it's something longer or another 5K at a slightly faster pace.