Some teenagers don’t have the money to pay for a gym membership. There’s a solution: running. Running is an easy and affordable way to work out. Before you start running you have to understand the common injuries that can occur and how to avoid them. These can include: runner’s knee,
tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and stress fractures, and most of these are avoidable. Simply warming up and cooling down before running can decrease the risk of common injuries. Poor form contributes to injury and pain as well, so proper form is essential to make running more comfortable and prevent injury. Another important thing to remember is that the shoes you wear are very important. Find a pair that work for you and are comfortable. If you’re planning on doing long distance either on trails, or the road, the shoes you buy should have a ton of support.
You should also replace your shoes every 600 miles or so. Good running shoes can be expensive, but they’re expensive for a reason. Here in Williamsburg, Colonial Sports has great footwear and the staff is knowledgeable and will definitely help you out. Instead of going to the big brand stores, try the smaller independent running stores because they care more about the athletes and they have more experience and knowledge.

Another thing to keep in mind as you begin your running fitness program is that you just need to stick through the pain and push through it. Running can be fun but it can also be hard and very physically challenging. It’s all worth it though. After the run, there is a sense of achievement, also known as the runner’s high, and it’s great. Also, don’t forget that rest is extremely important. Don’t work yourself too hard. Working out is important but if you’re hurting and it never goes away then you need to take a break and let your body heal and recover. Just follow these helpful tips and you will be on your way to becoming a great runner and leading a healthy lifestyle.