The Beginners Corner section of Strength Running will show you how to start running so you can lace up and finally start seeing results. This area is designed to be an all-inclusive resource to teach you the ropes when you start running.
There are a lot of questions you may have about running – from learning the proper form, the right gear to use, and how often you can run when you first start. Strength Running can answer all of your questions and help guide you to distance running success. There are four sections below to get you started and this page will continually be updated, so check back often.
The goal of Strength Running is to help runners get faster and prevent injuries along the way by training smarter. It sounds simple but it’s a complex formula to design the best training. A page devoted to beginners sounded like a great place to start!
How to Start Running – For Beginners
Beginner Basics – Tutorials to Help You Start Running
This section of articles cover many topics that will teach you how to start running. From general fitness basics, running form, and how to recover properly from your training – you’ll learn it all here.
- How to Make Injury Prevention “Second Nature” (Video)
- The Beginner’s Guide to Ultra Running
- How to Train for a Marathon with Coach Jay Johnson
- How to Return to Running After an Injury
- Proper Running Form – Learn Correct Running Technique
- How to Set Goals with Joel Runyon
- Video: How to Schedule Strength Workouts
- How to Train for Warrior Dash
Increasing Endurance – Going Longer, Faster
The biggest limiter of performance in a beginning runner is a lack of endurance. Fortunately, there are strategies that you can implement to help you develop more aerobic endurance when you start running (and not all of them involve running more).
- Qualifying for the Boston Marathon
- Triathlon Training and Running: How to Use Tri’s to Dominate Your Running Performance
- How to Improve Running Endurance (By Not Running) – For Beginner Runners
- Endurance Training Q&A – How Do I Run Faster for Longer?
Motivation and Inspiration: Strength Running Success Stories
As a new runner who is just learning how to start running, staying motivated to keep running is a top priority. Learn from other runners just like you who have started running all new PR’s, gotten healthy, and even qualified for big races like the Boston Marathon.
- How Darin Ran a 3:57 Marathon PR at Age 52
- How Rob Ran an 18 Minute Marathon PR (with no injuries)
- Sarah’s Transformation: From Constant Injuries to Faster and Pain-Free
- How Brian Recovered From 20 Years of Chronic Injuries
- From Unfocused to a Sub-20 Minute 5k: How Tim Increased His Confidence and Lost 60 Pounds
Read all the success stories here!
Get Strong, Prevent Injuries, Start Running More
Injuries happen all the time to runners, most of them from overuse. Most can be prevented with the right training design, attitude, and strengthening exercises. The goal for you as a beginner is to make sure your body is strong enough to handle the added stress of running. By not trying to run through pain and using the right combination of strength exercise, you’ll be far ahead of the rest of runners who consistently get hurt.
- Elite Core and Dynamic Warm-ups: A Comprehensive Guide
- The Tomahawk Medicine Ball Workout – Video Demonstration
- The ITB Rehab Routine – Video Demonstration
- The Standard Warm-up – Video Demonstration
- The Standard Core Routine – Video Demonstration
- Special Resource: Injury Prevention for Runners
Running Gear – Only Use What You Need
I’m a proponent of using as little gear as possible to focus on the sheer enjoyment of running. When you’re learning how to start running, it’s best to avoid the Garmin GPS watches and other technology that can distract you more than help you become a better runner.
- SR’s collection of Running Shoe Reviews
- SR’s recommended Running Books
Racing 101: Strategy and Pacing Advice for Your Next PR
Racing is a skill – as much science as it is art. Learning the nuances of proper race strategy can be just as difficult as learning how to start running when you’re a beginner, but SR has you covered! I’ve interviewed the best and know the most effective race and pace strategies to help you run your next PR.
- 3 Pacing Strategies For Your Next Race
- Banish Race Anxiety and Build More Confidence
- 13 Proven Race Strategies to Help You Run Faster
How to Start Running: The Free Email Course
The following five categories include many of the basics to help you start running. A more comprehensive, step-by-step introduction to running for beginners is included in my free email mini-course which focuses on how to start running:
- The top mistakes to avoid when you first start running
- Increasing motivation to run
- Injury prevention (so you can run more)
- Smarter training – including specific strategies
Want the free mini-course for beginners? Just sign up here! I’ll also send you a free book 🙂
Please note: every subscriber to this course also gets special access to a collection of free running tools that includes:
- Circuit workout to build strength and speed
- Strength Running PR Guide – with over 35 questions and answers asked by runners like you
- Strength & Core Routines – The Ultimate Guide
- How to Stay Fit on Vacation (a free ebook)
- Strength Routine & Dynamic Warm-up illustrated guides
- Master Shopping List
- and several more free resources