Building a positive relationship with running is easier for some than it is for others (we see all you haters!) and with the addition of cookie-cutter advice and programs, it often has us feeling like we just aren’t cut out for it.

The truth is, there aren’t specific people who are made for running, running is made for us. All of us! There is a way for all of us to find enjoyment in running but it's important to take a unique approach that works for YOU and forget the rest!

Here are our top tips to get you from the couch to your first 2km, 5km and beyond!

When you’re first starting out, tackling a 1, 2 or 5km run is borderline crazy and there is almost no way you’re going to enjoy it. You need to build up your strength, your aerobic capacity and more importantly your enthusiasm first by starting slow and stripping it back. Try walking for 1 minute and jogging for 30 seconds, repeat this 5-10 times 2-3 times per week. Then you can start increasing your 30 second efforts to 45 second efforts until eventually you find it so easy you can run right through the rest periods.

Throw away your watch or at least store it away until you’ve built a solid relationship with running. As a beginner you don’t need to be concerned with how fast you’re going, your heart rate, or your total distance. Don’t give yourself any reason to feel inadequate or anxiety ridden over going for a quick trot. Forget the metrics!

Just because Jim has been killing it on the treadmill every week for the past 3 months, doesn’t mean that you have to run on the treadmill too. You might like the streets around your neighbourhood, a local running track, a local foot oval, a trail or even just a shared cycling track. Wherever appeals to you, is where you should start. 

Before you head out the door, choose 5-10 of your favourite songs or a Spotify playlist that you love. Music isn’t essential but in the beginning in particular it makes running around less boring, teaches you rhythm and can be a welcome distraction from your heart rate or fatigue.

Basically, you want to remove any things that might interfere with your running goals. You want to give yourself the best chance at success, at enjoying it. So, buy yourself a new pair of trainers, running gear, maybe even some headphones. Lay your clothes out the night before and set your alarms!

Now, these tips won’t automatically provide you with a love for running. Part of that is up to you. The benefits of running are immense and you don’t need to be out there pounding the pavement for hours to reap the rewards. Start small, progress your distance or time slowly and just be consistent!