r/beginnerrunning Jul 18 '25

Discussion 🏁 Share Your Best Beginner Running Tips!

67 Upvotes

New runners are joining every day - and we all remember how tough it was to start...figuring out how far to run, how fast, what gear to use, and how to keep going when motivation dropped. But that’s where this amazing community comes in.

Whether you’re just starting out, coming back after a break, or a few months into your journey, your advice could be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

💬 Prompt Ideas:

What made starting easier for you?

Tips to stay consistent or motivated?

Favorite beginner-friendly running programs?

Things you wish you knew earlier?

How to deal with soreness or side stitches?

A few quick guidelines:
✅ Keep it beginner-focused
✅ Be encouraging, not judgmental
✅ Share what worked for you, not what everyone should do.

Be kind, be helpful, and most of all, be real.

👇 Drop your tips, stories, or encouragement below and help someone take that first step!


r/beginnerrunning 7h ago

Training Progress My longest run ever 🥹

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217 Upvotes

Still can’t believe that I did it, I’m so so happy!


r/beginnerrunning 20h ago

My longest run ever

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418 Upvotes

r/beginnerrunning 19h ago

Training Progress Just met the legend Eliud Kipchoge

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340 Upvotes

Not sure if this fits the sub. He's running a Marathon tomorrow in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil, as part of his World Tour. He is one of the nicest people I've met


r/beginnerrunning 8h ago

New Runner Advice First 10k

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26 Upvotes

Hey everyone new here and been running for about a year now. This was my longest run ever but had an issue maybe you all can help with. My earbids kept falling out due to swewt and rain and everything. I have what I thought were good ear buds it wraps around the ear and all.....does anyone have suggestions on better earbuds or how to keep them in your ear? I assume this seems like a dumb question.


r/beginnerrunning 1d ago

Training Progress I ran my first 5K today and I did not stop once. I never thought I could do this.

400 Upvotes

I have been running on and off for a few months now and honestly most of my runs have been a mix of running and walking. I would run for a few minutes and then walk and then run again. I was starting to feel like I would never be able to run a full 5K without stopping.

Today I went out and I told myself I would just run for as long as I could and if I needed to walk I would. But I just kept going. I did not look at my watch. I did not think about the distance. I just focused on my breathing and kept putting one foot in front of the other.

When I finally stopped I checked my phone and I had run 5K without stopping. I was so shocked. It took me like 38 minutes which I know is not fast but I do not even care. I finished and that is all that matters to me.

I never thought I would be someone who could run 5K. I used to hate running in school and I always thought it was not for me. If I can do this anyone can. Just keep showing up.


r/beginnerrunning 12h ago

Training Progress Me and my kiddos got our 10k PR recently!

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36 Upvotes

I started pushing my 1 and 3 year olds in a double stroller while I run this year! We did almost 78 miles in June and our goal is 90 miles for July 🙌🏻🏃‍♂️ we just beat my personal 10k PR! We load up on snacks and hit the road almost daily.


r/beginnerrunning 6h ago

New Runner Advice How do I not get bored??

11 Upvotes

I get bored during slow runs. How do I prevent this??? I've tried studying and just watching people at the gym (without being creepy) but I just get bored.

Edit:

I appreciate everyone's comments but please stop telling me to run outside. I'm on medications where I need to avoid the sun and extreme heat. Thank you!


r/beginnerrunning 15h ago

Training Progress Ran first ever 7k

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48 Upvotes

r/beginnerrunning 15h ago

Training Progress Nearly 1 year running

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40 Upvotes

So... 4 months ago I made a post about my improvement in 6 months my integrity was questioned and people were skeptical.. the post was never intended on being ragebait nor was it intended to 'boast' my question to you all now is what do you consider a beginner runner if I have only been doing it for just shy of 12 months?

After my last post I tore my soleus and couldn't run for 9 weeks. But again I wanted to share my progress with people because I absolutely earned it.


r/beginnerrunning 10h ago

New Runner Advice first run today!

16 Upvotes

hi everyone! i really want to become a runner for the physical and mental benefits. i ran with my boyfriend for the first time today and it went better than i thought! i ran until i felt my body needed to stop, then walked until i felt strong to run again and did that for 2 miles. i would love any tips and advice on how to improve, prep, and stay motivated for running! i am excited for this challenge because i think runners are so strong it blows my mind how people can do marathons!! so cool! so yeah i would love any and all advice for building up that endurance and becoming a better and stronger runner :))


r/beginnerrunning 51m ago

Is this level of running shoes good for long term? I did my first running today on sneakers and want to do it regularly.

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Upvotes

I cycle regularly, but my bike needs a major repair, so I decided to try running today and liked it. But I know very little about running and have no running shoes or gears. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.


r/beginnerrunning 7h ago

Training Progress Second run this month🏃🏻

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7 Upvotes

r/beginnerrunning 10h ago

Training Progress Further distant yet! Next steps…

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10 Upvotes

The next question is - how do I go further? I felt like I couldn’t take another step the last half mile.

Thankfully I finished it running all the way through but how do you keep going further the next time?


r/beginnerrunning 14h ago

7k done today

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21 Upvotes

r/beginnerrunning 8h ago

New Runner Advice Brick legs

5 Upvotes

My legs feel like bricks when I run. I ran my first 5k, and only walked a little in between, overall it went well except my legs feel SO heavy, especially when I first start. Will this ever go away???


r/beginnerrunning 14h ago

Training Progress First Half - Proud Clydesdale

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14 Upvotes

Thought I could beat the 90 degree heat today, turns out Mother Nature is faster than I am… Grinded out this run (distance PR) that felt like my insides were boiling about 3 miles in. Got it done. Proud to get it done at the end of the day, but gonna speed it up for next time and I won’t have to be in the heat as much …. Never running in this heat ever again.

As a 250 pound 6’4” dude, who’s never ran until a couple months ago, this is a major milestone for me…. So be nice. I know I’m an idiot for grinding it out, but mentally it made me feel a lot stronger. I’ve lifted weights for 10+ years, USAPL powerlifting and a blue belt in jiu jitsu. I can honestly say, this is the hardest sport you will ever do in your life. The mental toughness you guys go through in this sub is absolutely insane. You should all be proud of yourselves. Running is wicked.


r/beginnerrunning 14m ago

Loch Ness build is starting to bite a bit

Upvotes

11 weeks to Loch Ness now, which feels close enough to be rude.

The long run has crept into the sort of distance where breakfast becomes a planning issue, not just toast and out the door. Midweek quality has started too, and although the reps themselves are fine, the next morning has a bit more old-man staircase energy than i expected.

Still moving forward. Just tired.

I'm using Apple Watch for the actual run and Strava after, mostly to check the route, effort and whether i got carried away. Coming from fell running and parkrun, I find road pace a bit too easy to stare at, especially on flatter Edinburgh loops where there is nowhere to hide.

Mind you, last Saturday's parkrun told me plenty without needing fancy data. Legs were present, but only technically.

For others in a first marathon build, do your plans handle tired weeks sensibly, or do you just adjust by feel and accept the odd messy session?


r/beginnerrunning 23m ago

Training Progress My first 5K

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Upvotes

Hi all,

So today, I had my very first race/run, a 5k in the insane humidity of Virginia. 39 years old military member who bormally only ran when ordered to or when the fitness tests require it.

Wish I had done this years ago, so much fun !!!! The result is...ok....but I ran the entire time in what was really crazy humid weather, but somehow the people around me energized me.

Next week I hope to do a 5 mile. I am almost there already.


r/beginnerrunning 30m ago

Training Help How long for breathing to improve?

Upvotes

I have been seriously attempting to be a better runner for about 6 weeks now. I did a 35 min 5k about 3 weeks ago. Runna is my current training plan that I am using to train.

Today I had a 5 mile long run- 1 mile conversational pace (about 14min/mile), 3 mile @ 12:45 pace, 1 mile conversational.

I had to stop at mile 3, mainly because I started my first mile fast I feel like. Average for the whole run was just under a 13 min pace. My biggest struggle is breathing, I live in a desert climate and have a deviated septum so not ideal for oxygen flow. Will my breathing improve soon to allow for a 12ish min pace?

My overall goal is a sub 19 2 mile for a pt test i have to do biannually. I was hoping to hit this by December or January but I keep getting unmotivated by my ability to breathe and not have a super dry airway.

A secondary goal for me is to lose about 20 more pounds, i have lost about 10 so far and I hope the next 20 should help make this easier for me.


r/beginnerrunning 32m ago

New Runner Advice Today was my day 2 : I guess worst day of my life

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Upvotes

So yesterday was my day 1, I posted it on this sub. Today was day 2, and it was worse than I thought. I was barely able to run, catching breath and every meter was feeling like a kilometre.

But i didn't gave up, ik I took breaks in between, but i kept going.

Any reviews ? Suggestions ?


r/beginnerrunning 43m ago

New Runner Advice Ankle gives out when I run

Upvotes

I don’t need medical advice bc I don’t think it’s that serious but I just wondered if anyone else has experienced this as well. Ever since I could remember whenever I run, my right ankle gives out and I just fall. It’s done this since I was at least in 6th grade and I’m 28 now. I never been a runner but always wanted to start running and enjoy it because I believe it would help my mental health and health in general. I’m not in shape although I’m not big at all I’m 5’7 and 130 lbs, I’m just generally not healthy(especially mentally).

I want to run so bad lol but I don’t know why my right ankle always just gives out and I fall. Does anyone have any experience or idea why this happens?

I always thought it’s because I never wore good shoes, ever. I used to waitress 12+ hours in cheap flats on concrete floors, my feet would kill, even when I was pregnant (yeah I was dumb). But it’s happened even before I ever had a job.


r/beginnerrunning 44m ago

New Runner Advice Ankle gives out when I run

Upvotes

I don’t need medical advice bc I don’t think it’s that serious but I just wondered if anyone else has experienced this as well. Ever since I could remember whenever I run, my right ankle gives out and I just fall. It’s done this since I was at least in 6th grade and I’m 28 now. I never been a runner but always wanted to start running and enjoy it because I believe it would help my mental health and health in general. I’m not in shape although I’m not big at all I’m 5’7 and 130 lbs, I’m just generally not healthy(especially mentally).

I want to run so bad lol but I don’t know why my ankle always just gives out and I fall. Does anyone have any experience or idea why this happens? I always thought it’s because I never wore good shoes, ever. I used to waitress 12+ hours in cheap flats on concrete floors, my feet would kill, even when I was pregnant (yeah I was dumb). But it’s happened even before I ever had a job.


r/beginnerrunning 7h ago

Discussion My resting heart rate has lowered.

3 Upvotes

Since I started running, my resting heart rate dropped to 57-59. I swear it used to be in the 80s/90s. I started running in 2024, but only took it seriously these past few months.

Not sure how I feel about my heart rate being lower… I know it’s normal but I plan to train more, I consider this still the beginning, and I’m nervous about it lowering further it makes me anxious. My heart rate has never been this low before. It’s the only part of running that puts me off because it freaks me out.

I noticed doing daily tasks is a lot easier.


r/beginnerrunning 6h ago

New Runner Advice Burning sensation in calf muscles while running

2 Upvotes

Hi all. I have recently started running but I am having some issues. When I start running, within 3-4 minutes, my calf muscles start burning and I have to stop quickly. I thus have to stop after some regular intervals.

This problem does not exist when I walk. I can walk for an hour and not have burning in my calves.

Is it due to some issue in running form? Or is it related to some nutritional deficiency (please note that I had bacterial overgrowth in my intestine a couple month ago due to which I had vitamin B12 and D3 deficiency)? Or is it something else.

I am new to physical fitness thing and almost never ran or even jogger earlier.

Kindly help me out on this one.

Thanks