r/beginnerrunning Jul 18 '25

Discussion 🏁 Share Your Best Beginner Running Tips!

66 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 10h ago

Training Progress First 10k

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75 Upvotes

Took me approximately 1.5 months (I had a huge hiking and backpacking base)


r/beginnerrunning 12h ago

Well boys..I've gone and done it. Too much mileage too fast.

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66 Upvotes

Any tips and tricks to heal quickly from what I believe is shin splints. The location of the ice pack is just one of the sections that is painful, goes higher up the side of my leg as well. It's not excruciatingly painful, just a bit irritated and uncomfortable


r/beginnerrunning 23h ago

Training Progress I ran 7 miles without stopping!

356 Upvotes

It took me 81 minutes. I know that's not much more than a jog, but I'm very proud of myself. I've lost a little over 20 pounds these last 3 months.

My nipples are rubbed raw from that run. I tried using Vaseline, but I sweat it all off by mile 3. Is there something I can do to help this? I'm a male.


r/beginnerrunning 3h ago

New Runner Advice Body has potential but my mind quits too easy. What gets you to keep going?

7 Upvotes

Started with couch to 5k, completed it. I run REALLY SLOW, so its not tiring, but my brain constantly asks me to stop at the next mark. I have potential, I can easily go 30more mins, legs dont pain, i am not breathing heavy, but my brain keeps making excuses, finding reasons to quit.

How to keep going and not quit?

UNRELATED- I run/jog 5k in exactly 1 hour (no walk breaks, continuous run) i know for most it isn't even running but thats my pace. My heart rate is somewhere between 120-130.
Now that I have completed couch to 5k, should I start couch to 10k at same pace? Or do couch to 5k again and run faster this time?


r/beginnerrunning 8h ago

Training Progress Beat the predicted time from Garmin by 40 seconds!

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19 Upvotes

My first all out 5K attempt. Was wasted afterwards.


r/beginnerrunning 9h ago

New Runner Advice How sore is too sore to go out for a run?

21 Upvotes

I'm trying to be more active for the sake of fighting my depression and also just being less of a potatoe in general. Went running for the first time this monday (2.5km, 8 minute pace). I also did some strength workout yesterday. It was nothing crazy, just some squats and push ups, but I can feel the squats in my thighs a lil bit today. I can walk around just fine and even jog lightly without feeling much in my legs. My gut is telling me it's fine and I should go out running today but I'm definitely worried about doing too much too quickly as a beginner so I wanted to get a second opinion


r/beginnerrunning 13h ago

New Runner Advice Furthest yet , super happy

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39 Upvotes

Not the fastest but it’s furthest I’ve gone since starting on 1st July . Proud of myself


r/beginnerrunning 3h ago

Recovery one bad run affects my mood so much

5 Upvotes

I know I've had bad recovery the past few days and have been sleeping less than 6hrs, so it's clear why my performance was bad today. But I feel absolutely horrible and disappointed, because I was finally seeing steady progress the past 4-5 weeks. I feel like running again tomorrow just to push myself more and see if I can do better, although I know I need to fix my recovery before seeing progress again. I hate feeling like I let myself down. The entire day it's all I've thought of. Running is such an all or nothing sport in my mind ugh.


r/beginnerrunning 33m ago

New Runner Advice Need advice on training.

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Upvotes

I’ve recently graduated from C25K. I did my first 5k last Friday and so far have had two run days. I’ve just been doing 5k’s. Not really sure where to go from here. The 5k is still very hard for me. I’m basically giving it my all each time to finish. But my pace is significantly better each time. My first 5k pace was 12:24 and my latest almost dropped a full minute to 11:30. Would appreciate any advice on next steps.


r/beginnerrunning 22h ago

Training Progress Just ran a sub 30 min 5k!!!

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154 Upvotes

I ran on the treadmill and forgot to calibrate it after I saved my run (trust me bro). Actual distance is 3.11 miles at 9:26 min mile pace.

But oh my gosh that run felt super hard!! I started my running journey back in March this year training for a half marathon. I can’t believe I’d be at a point where I’d be this fast considering I was struggling with 1 mile at a 13 min mile pace during week 1. Time to go home and shower 😅.


r/beginnerrunning 17h ago

My first ever 5K

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56 Upvotes

r/beginnerrunning 8h ago

Increased running - appetite out of control!

11 Upvotes

I have started trying to slowly increase my running mileage but all of a sudden my appetite has completely exploded and I can't even blame hormones this time! What are your tips and tricks to deal with a huge appetite increase from all the running?

It never used to be too big of an issue in the last 7 months I've been running but it just seems to be since last week.


r/beginnerrunning 1h ago

Discussion Second 10k (heart rate help)

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Upvotes

Hi everyone, I've just run my second 10k ever for training ready for my half marathon in October (only started running in March). However, I have a constant struggle with my heart feeling like its going to come out of my chest even at an easy pace for me (been jeffing as well at 2:10min run and 55sec walk), I have got asthma but that is well controlled. I ran 10k yesterday and then after cooling down and sitting for a while before a shower, I got out and felt like I was really about to collapse.

I drink plenty of fluids with electrolytes and ensure I fuel properly.

Has anyone any tips?


r/beginnerrunning 3h ago

Discussion Runners high?

3 Upvotes

I just got back into running. I used to run half marathons 20 years ago and never had this happen and I was just wondering if what I experienced was a runner's high. So a great feeling while running was building up then kind of peaked, and then totally disappeared. I was so confused. Was that a runner's high?


r/beginnerrunning 9h ago

New Runner Advice Sweaty shirt rookie mistake

6 Upvotes

I learned something kind of funny this week and it had nothing to do with my pace. i finished my little run feeling okay but my shirt felt like it gained five pounds. i honestly laughed because i never thought clothing would become the biggest challenge. i am still sticking with short walk run sessions because they fit my fitness level way better. they also make it easier to convince myself to head out the door. i am trying not to overcomplicate things while i build the habit. there is already enough to learn without making it stressful. i would love to stay comfortable without spending a fortune on gear. i feel like experienced beginners probably figured this out before i did. what breathable fabrics have held up best for y'all and is there a walk run approach you always recommend to someone just getting started?


r/beginnerrunning 3h ago

Recovery Joints pain

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2 Upvotes

23M started doing something healthy for the first time in my life.
Initially I dealt with hamstring soreness and all- but that is not too big of an issue- currently my hip joint of left side and upper hip of right side and both knees are paining with each run.

What should I do? Is it normal for new runners? And what resources would you recommend for better training and guidance.

Thanks for the help.


r/beginnerrunning 7h ago

New Runner Advice Unable to catch my breath while running. Limiting my fitness gains

3 Upvotes

Just looking for some tips on how to run more effectively. I started running a couple months ago just once a week to get back into it and I am currently up to 2 days a week. I usually do one run super slow about 2 miles. Finish somewhere at 22mins. My second run of the week is usually some sort of interval running for 10-15 or so minutes or a second low and slow 2 mile run.

I'm a little fat, I admit that. But I feel like I'm absolutely crashing a quarter mile in and can't catch my breath. I know I can do better than 2mile in 22 minutes but I'm falling apart fast.

I've recently started doing a more dynamic stretching workout which has been great for muscle soreness. This is typically 7-8 minutes of warming up then 5 minutes of walkng to my starting point since I try to avoid road running as much as possible. There's a paved walking trail about a 10 minute walk from my house.

Am I going to hard in my warmup or walking too much after my warmup? Is my weight just impacting my fitness buildup more than I realize? Any thoughts or notes?


r/beginnerrunning 7h ago

New Runner Advice How do you guys warm up for an early morning run ?

3 Upvotes

I've been trying to get long runs in on a Sunday morning, but the first 2/3km are just my body waking up and it's really heavy going. How do you guys get your body going for a morning run?

I see lots of people running on a morning and I tip my hat to them!

I wake up for the gym around 5am and manage that fine, but running is a different story. I usually run after work, around 4/5 hours after eating and find it to be a sweet spot to not be full of food, but to have the energy to run.


r/beginnerrunning 1d ago

is anyone else's 'easy' pace literally a fast walk

100 Upvotes

started running in january and honestly thought i was doing it wrong. my 'conversational pace' is like 8:30-9min/km, which is basically a power walk for half the people on the seafront down here in brighton. old ladies with shopping trollies are overtaking me, no joke. tbh i don't mind, but when you read about 'easy runs' online they always say it should feel embarrassingly slow. i'm not sure mine even counts as running. does this actually get better or is it just a case of accepting it and plodding on?


r/beginnerrunning 5h ago

New Runner Advice Should I run a 5K program before my next HM?

2 Upvotes

I'm a heavier runner (195lbs/5"7/M) and recently ran a HM in 2.5 hours with 6 months of training. I typically do easy run distances of 5-12K (<150bpm) and am in my "off-season" for the next 6 months, focusing on weight loss and getting strong in the gym, before doing a HM training phase.

One of my challenges is my spm is on average only 150-155 spm, and I have a desire to run faster and more efficient this season rather than getting comfy with distance - and get my spm to 160-165 average.

With that said would doing a 5K program be advisable? PB is 33 minutes and hoping to get to sub-30. And how would this translate to my next HM? Thanks


r/beginnerrunning 14h ago

What was the first sign that made you realize running was actually improving your life?

11 Upvotes

Everyone says running is good for you, but the real benefits often show up in everyday life. Maybe it's having more energy, climbing stairs without getting winded, sleeping better, or simply feeling more confident.

For those who stuck with running, what was the first noticeable change that kept you motivated to continue?


r/beginnerrunning 6h ago

New Runner Advice how to prevent legs from hurting while running

2 Upvotes

hi! so i’ve been running for a year and 4 months now and i am a really slow runner. something i have noticed while running is that my legs get tired way faster than my heart rate.

after like 10 minutes of running my legs (my calves specifically) get sore and tired and my joints might hurt a little after 20-30 minutes. i still keep going but i sometimes take a few breaks if i am doing a long run.

for reference my last easy 5k run was done in 50 minutes at a comfortable pace for me

so i’m just wondering why my calves hurt so early in and what ways could i help prevent calve and sometimes joint pain?


r/beginnerrunning 3h ago

Pacing Tips Interval Pace Training Help - NRC

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1 Upvotes

For background, I’ve only been running for 3 weeks and have done two 5ks (33:00 Uphill Parkrun & 36:10). As part of the beginner running plan, Nike Run Club has an interval speed training that it recommends.

I did this today, and looking at the stats after, it’s quite clear that I’ve got absolutely no idea how to pace myself.

Is anyone able to provide some help or guidance on managing this?

Intervals were:

5 min warm up
1 min at 5k pace
2 min at 10k
1 min 5k
45 secs at mile pace
45 secs at mile
2 min at 10k
1 min at 5k
45 secs at whatever you want
Then a cool down run


r/beginnerrunning 3h ago

"Heavier" runner needs advice m19 86 kg 190 ish lbs

1 Upvotes

I've started running in May this year and today hit a 13k in 1 hour 12, good run but when I try to do easier runs I feel like 6:30 is my pace but my heartrate is around 165, should I just powerwalk or ignore hr