2023

If you are struggling for motivation, Sunderland IMS recommend finding someone or a running group to run with can really help. If you have agreed a time to train with someone it helps with your own motivation if you know someone is depending on you. Running groups are also great and there are lots all over Sunderland who cater for all abilities. Taking part in regular sessions will really help with your progress and there will be other people who attend who can offer you advice on foot ware, technique and training schedules.

When you first start training don’t worry too much about times and distances. Sunderland IMS recommend you focus on relaxed running and focus on technique. When you can run a few miles comfortably, you may then want to introduce timers and think about increasing your distance.

Park Run is a tremendous non- profit group that has become very popular over recent years. Park runs are free to participate and they are all over the Sunderland, the Uk and internationally! They are very welcoming to new people. All Park runs are 5k (3.1miles) long and they take place at 9am every Saturday morning. This would be a fantastic way to start your training and form the basis of your training schedule. You can find out more information about Park run on their website. home | parkrun UK.

As your distances increase and you get closer to the big day, many runners find it useful and motivating to incorporate park runs into their weekend runs, by running from home to an event, completing the event, and then running home. All good ways of increasing your weekly mileage.

If you are not a regular runner make sure you listen to your body. When you first start running it sometimes can be difficult to tell the difference between tired and fatigued muscles and actual injuries. To avoid injuries, Sunderland IMS has some helpful tips on injury prevention which you can find on our injury prevention page. Please click here for information Important Injury Prevention Info – Sunderland IMS. If you feel like you have sustained an injury then Sunderland IMS can support your diagnosis and recovery. Please contact your Sunderland GP for a referral to our service.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There is lots of advice online including training schedules but they are not bespoke training plans so please remember the advice you read may not always be appropriate for you.