As a beginning runner or walker, you will need to understand that not every run or walk you take will go perfectly. Some are wonderful; some aren’t. It’s simply the nature of the activity.

What often gets in the way of a pleasant run or walk is some type of  training error or mistake. No biggie. Most beginner mistakes are easily correctable.

Probably the most common newbie mistake is simply the fear that running (or to a lesser extent, walking) will hurt. Beginners have preconceived notions of pain, being out of breath and overall muscular discomfort. They fear not being good enough.

Fear no more. A beginning running or walking program can be done easily enough and without any undue discomfort or painful episodes. The key is avoiding some of the pitfalls all runners make when starting out.

Here are some common mistakes beginners make—and easy solutions.

1. Too far. You were too ambitious and attempted to run two or three miles which was too great a distance. Your friends run that far, but you couldn’t. Trying to do so, was painful and discouraging.

Solution: Run by minutes, not miles. Don’t worry about how far you cover; merely run by time. Start off with two minutes of walking, followed by a minute or two of slow jogging. Alternate walking and jogging for 15 minutes and gradually progress from there.

2. Too fast. You tried to run a set distance in a certain time and flamed out. Trying to run fast quite simply hurt and left you wheezing and out of breath.

Solution: Slow down. When you run, run easily at a comfortable pace. You should be able to carry on a conversation with your running partner while running. If you can’t, you’re going too fast. Ease up. At this stage in your development, speed is not a goal. Fitness is. That comes with being able to sustain the activity.

3. It hurts. If even slow jogging just a minute or two hurts, you might not be ready for it.

Solution: Stick with walking for a good month or two before you attempt to run to accustom your body to aerobic exercise. You need to get used to being on your feet  before starting to run. Take your time and walk. Gradually increase your distance and pace as you become fitter.
 
4. You hated it. The run or walk was not fun or pleasant at all. You always hated running and still do. You remember your old high-school coach punishing you with laps and all that negativity came flooding back the moment you started to run.
 
Solution: Out with the old, in with the new. This isn’t punishment. Running or walking should be a relaxing, energizing time of day. Nobody is watching over you with a stopwatch or whistle. Chill out and think positive thoughts. Banish your old conceptions of running to the garbage bin.

5. You’re bored. You know you should walk or run, but you find it boring.
 
Solution: Go to the Lady Bird Hike and Bike Trail or one of our other beautiful parks. Find a partner to run or walk who you enjoy spending time with. Take your dog. While running or walking, try solving some problems that confront you. Or empty your brain and just enjoy some stress-free, relaxing time. Whatever you do, stay off a treadmill.

6. Too hot. Summer will be here before you know it and it’s going to get brutally hot--too hot to run at certain times of the day. Trying to fight the heat, makes running or walking feel like a chore.
 
Solution: Go early. It’s cooler in the morning and the air is fresher. For many runners and walkers, it’s the best time of day. If you can’t run or walk early in the cooler air, go in the evening to avoid the worst of the heat.
 
7. You're still too hot--even in the morning. Let's face it, in Texas it's hot all the time during the summer.

Solution: Wear as little as possible. Don’t wear sweatpants or tights; merely wear some lightweight, breathable running shorts and a light T-shirt. Don’t make the mistake that sweating a lot will get you in shape faster or burn more calories. It won’t. If it’s still too hot, use a treadmill.

8. Your feet hurt. They get hot and sweaty and you feel like your tennis shoes don’t provide enough cushioning. Chances are they don’t.

Solution: Buy a pair of running shoes. You must get running shoes and not just any type of atheltic shoes such as basketball, cross-trainers or tennis shoes. Running shoes are designed to cushion and support your feet. If you’re on a walking program, running shoes are ideal for walkers too. Go to one of the four RunTex locations for expert help.

9. The sidewalks are too hard on my body. You’re right about that: Sidewalks are too hard for daily running or walking. The surface is also too uneven and often crowded with pedestrians.

Solution: Go to Zilker Park or the Lady Bird Lake Trail where you can walk on dirt or grass which is the ideal surface for running or walking. If a park or trail isn’t readily available, run or walk on lighly traveled roads facing traffic. An asphalt road is better than a sidewalk.

10. Your legs are sore afterward. The big thigh muscles on the front (quadriceps) and back (hamstrings) are sore. You’re even stiff the next day.

Solution: Some initial soreness is normal. If you haven’t run or walked for fitness before, your leg muscles will take a week or two to adapt to this new activity. After finishing your walk or run, stretch your leg muscles for a few minutes. When you get home, gently ice your leg muscles and take some Advil or Aleve to ease the soreness.