<p>You can benefit from just 30 minutes of running, 3 times a week.</p><p>Start by running 20 minutes at a time, and increase the amount and frequency only when you feel comfortable with your current level of training. Don't be afraid to take walking breaks when needed.</p>

A running plan

<p>Invest in a good pair of running shoes and a quality shirt made from wicking material to keep you drier.</p><p>A sports watch and heart-rate monitor are nice to have.</p>

Running equipment

<p>Running will put you slightly out of breath when you start. It should eventually decrease. You should be able to hold a conversation when you're running a good pace.</p><p>Once a week, run a faster speed to increase your fitness level.</p>

Pace of running

<p>Side stitches are caused by a lack of oxygen in your GI muscles. Exhale hard and long, or slow down your pace until the stitch subsides.</p><p>If it is a recurring problem, consider avoiding solid food immediately before and after a workout. </p>

How to get rid of side stitches

<p>Running burns an average of 100 calories per mile. Eat a balanced diet, mostly carbohydrates, followed by equal parts of fats and proteins.</p><p>If you want to lose weight, regulate your diet and use running to tone your body.</p>

Food and weight

<div>
<p>How fast should I run? How will it feel? What should I eat? Could I do a race? Trying a new activity like running can bring a certain level of anxiety. But relax! Running is a great activity for anyone to try, regardless of age or fitness level. We answer your questions - and tell you how to get started.</p>
<h3>How do I get started on a running plan?</h3>
<p>First, plan your schedule so that you're sure to set aside time to devote to your new running routine. You can reap fitness rewards with just 30 minutes a day, three to five times per week.</p>
<p>When you start running, don't plan to go too far or too fast right away - doing so is the number-one cause of injury among runners. Start by running for 20 minutes at a time, three times per week. Gradually increase the amount of time you're running and the number of days you run, but do not increase either until you feel comfortable completing your current level of training. If 20 minutes is too much, don't be afraid to take walking breaks. Perhaps begin by running for 4 minutes and walking for 1 minute, until you complete the 20 minutes. As you get stronger, begin eliminating the walk breaks.</p>
<p>When you're a beginner, it's not necessary to worry about how many miles you are running. Focus on the number of minutes instead. Gradually you'll begin to cover more ground in the same amount of time, and that's when you'll want to increase the duration of your workout.</p>
<h3>What equipment do I need?</h3>
<p>One advantage of the sport of running is that so little gear is required. But the most important investment runners should make is in a good pair of running shoes - not cross-training, walking, or tennis shoes. Running shoes are best purchased at specialty running stores, where employees can recommend models based on your ability and goals. Many will also watch you run, to make sure the shoes you buy complement the way your foot strikes the ground.</p>
<p>You should also have a quality, well-fitted sports bra, preferably made of wicking material to keep you cooler and drier. A digital sports watch is also helpful. As you advance in your running and set new goals, a heart-rate monitor is nice to have, to make sure you keep your effort level where it should be.</p>
<h3>How sore should I expect to get?</h3>
<p>Your legs will be sore in the beginning, but if you keep up the routine, the leg soreness will subside relatively quickly. If you feel acute pain anywhere, stop running for a few days and let your legs recover, to prevent injuries. Shin splints are the most common injury, usually incurred when you overdo your training or wear improper shoes. Be aware of the difference between being tired and being injured, and make sure you're not encouraging overuse injuries.</p>
<h3><strong>How-To Training</strong></h3>
<h3>How fast should I be going? Should I be out of breath from the beginning?</h3>
<p>Running will certainly feel challenging at first and you will be slightly out of breath when you start. That should eventually subside. It's helpful to use the "talk test." If you can hold a conversation while you're running, you're at a good pace. Once or twice a week, however, go for a shorter run, but complete it at a higher speed so that talking is more difficult. It will help increase your fitness level and cardiovascular strength.</p>
<h3>Should I run on the treadmill or outside?</h3>
<p>Both have advantages. Treadmills are a perfect alternative when the weather is uncooperative and can be helpful in easing into new distances or paces. Adam Krajchir, head coach and program director for the New York Road Runners Foundation Team for Kids, believes that treadmills complement outside running because the cushioned surface reduces the risk of injuries that many runners get from constantly pounding their legs on pavement outside.</p>
<p>"Run, wherever you can, inside or out," he says. "Getting into a regular routine is more important than finding a perfect solution."</p>
<h3>Should I avoid hills? How should I change my form if I come to a hill?</h3>
<p>Running hills is a great way to improve leg strength and burn calories. When you run up a hill, shorten your stride and pump your arms forward. Going down a hill, let gravity do the work and give it a little help by leaning slightly forward.</p>
<h3>What are side stitches and how to I get rid of them?</h3>
<p>Side stitches are common and are caused by a lack of oxygen in your GI muscles. To stop them, Krajchir recommends exhaling hard and long or bending over at the waist while exhaling. You can also slow down your pace until the stitch subsides.</p>
<p>If side stitches become a recurring problem, Krajchir suggests avoiding solid food immediately before a workout and making sure you're always well hydrated.</p>
<h3><strong>Food, Weight, Racing</strong></h3>
<h3>What should I eat?</h3>
<p>Running burns a lot of calories - an average of 100 calories per mile - but it is not a license to eat whatever you want. You don't need to change your diet unless you're training for an endurance event like a marathon. But it's important to not restrict carbohydrates. Get plenty of protein to rebuild muscles, and eat sensible, healthy, high-energy foods (plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains).</p>
<p>Danny Dreyer, author of <i>Chi Running: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running</i>, recommends that runners experiment and find what works well for them. For those trying to lose weight, try to balance the percentage of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, with the majority of intake coming from carbohydrates, followed by equal parts fats and proteins.</p>
<h3>Will I lose weight?</h3>
<p>If it is your goal to lose weight, running is an excellent way of doing so. As with any exercise program, if you expend more calories than you intake, then you will lose weight.</p>
<p>"My best advice is, if you want to regulate your weight, learn to regulate your diet first," Dreyer writes in his book, "and let your running regulate your toning."</p>
<h3>I'd like to enter a local 5k road race. Will I finish last?</h3>
<p>Setting a goal to run a 5K (3.1 miles) race or any other distance is an excellent way to stay motivated and true to your running routine. Local races attract people of all abilities and provide a supportive and encouraging environment to complete a goal. Many people walk the entire race, while others will sprint from the beginning. If you'd rather wait until you're sure you can run the entire distance, sign up for one that is three or four months away, and work toward the goal.</p>
<h3><strong>Words You Need to Know</strong></h3>
<p>Use this glossary to follow our running plans.</p>
<h3>Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)</h3>
<p>How hard you're working on a scale of 1 (sitting) to 10 (sprinting).</p>
<p>RPE 4 to 5: Easy; you can talk with little effort.</p>
<p>RPE 6 to 7: Moderate; you can talk, but you're slightly breathless.</p>
<p>RPE 8 to 10: Hard; you can only speak a few words as you run.</p>
<h3>Cross-train</h3>
<p>Swim, bike, walk or do total-body strength training for 20 to 30 minutes. "Activities that don't tax running muscles are ideal," says running coach Scott Fliegelman. "If lifting, keep reps high, weights low, and make sure you're not overly fatigued for key workouts."</p>
<h3>Strides</h3>
<p>Short, fast intervals. Not a sprint, but running as fast as you can (RPE 8 or 9). Jog easy (same duration as stride) after each.</p>
<h3>Off</h3>
<p>Rest! "Following a strenuous workout, muscles need to repair their microtears," says Fliegelman. Twenty-four hours of R&amp;R helps.</p>
</div>

How fast should I run? How will it feel? What should I eat? Could I do a race? Trying a new activity like running can bring a certain level of anxiety. But relax! Running is a great activity for anyone to try, regardless of age or fitness level.

Running 101: A Beginner's Guide

A running plan

Running equipment

Pace of running

How to get rid of side stitches

Food and weight

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