How to Become a Runner

Though running started to become a more popular sport for athletics in the 60’s and into the 70’s, it’s certainly nothing new. Human beings have been running for survival for ages. The Greeks had competitive foot races at least as early at the 8th century when they held the first Olympics. There is a legend that one ancient Greek ran 300 miles in four days to get help against an invasion of Athens. As you can see, running is a natural activity for humans and people are getting involved from all walks of life.

One of my favorite books on running by Jeff Galloway shows that there are five stages of progression of the runner: the beginner, the jogger, the competitor, the athlete and, finally, the runner.

The Beginner:

One who is new to runner can encounter some difficulties early on. Running is definitely a lifestyle sport. Many times, the Beginner may get out for their daily runner based on excitement for their new sport but then have a more difficult time motivating themselves every day when the newness starts to wear off. They may also find some of their less active friends threatened by their new activity.

The Jogger:

The Jogger now feels secure in the sport. Though the first part of the run may be challenging, they have begun to feel their running “addiction” develop. Joggers do not usually have a plan or goal, but treat their sport as a diversion or a good activity for getting in better shape. However, sometimes the lack of a true goal can lead to frustration.

The Competitor:

Commonly, after about two years of jogging, about 30 percent start to feel competitive urges. Not everyone moves from being a Jogger to a competitor. The Competitor often joins small groups of runners to train better, making every workout into a race.

The Athlete:

The next phase, the Athlete, is the one in which trophies or awards are not the true motivation. The Athlete enters a state of mind in which they compete with themselves. They must meet their true potential, regardless of age or running class.

The Runner:

The Runner enters the phase in which they blend all the best elements of all the previous categories. They must balance fitness, competition, and social life all within the sport. Running exceeds being the primary focus of your life and becomes something that is integrated into all the most important aspects of family, friends and work.

Running is a delicate sport and may not be for everybody – therefore it is important to consult with a medical and fitness professional before starting a regular routing. BOOTCAMP 619 and SD Personal Trainer have great ways to get you in shape to start your daily run.