New Year’s Resolutions: Running Your First Race

The year has come and gone. With the new year comes the opportunity for setting new goals and resolutions. If you’re looking to prioritize your health and fitness, consider challenging yourself to running your first race or running a longer and more challenging race than the previous year. 

Training for a race can be a TRUEly fun experience. We asked around the TRUE office and some of our running friends for tips and recommendations to help you prep for your first or next race of the new year. 

Invest In The Right Running Shoes For You

Running shoes are not one size fits all. As we have mentioned in previous blogs, running shoes average around a 500-mile lifespan before becoming unsafe to wear. Ensuring that your shoes are properly fitted to you and your specific needs will make your run more enjoyable and comfortable.

TRUE Employee & Follower Favorites:

• Adidas® Edge Lux, Collyn C. 
• Adidas® Ultraboost, Lindsay N.
• Asics Gel Nimbus, Randy L. 
• Brooks® Adrenaline, Elyssa
• Brooks® Launch, Megan M. 
• HOKA ONE ONE® Clifton 7’s – Courtney M. 
• On Cloud, Steven D. 
• On Cloudflow, Angie T. 

Set Attainable Training Goals

When planning to run your first race, be sure to set attainable training goals and start out with a clear plan. There are many programs you can use to help you run your first 5K, or speed up your current mile PR. 

Be sure that you plan your training calendar in advance, and select training programs that best fit your running goals, and offer rest days and cross-training options. 

Looking for a place to start? We have a variety of workouts on our social media such as ‘The Magnificent Mile’: 

Have The Right Mindset

We asked some of our local running friends what their biggest tips were when training for your first race.

“1st tip: Fear will only take you so far…then faith takes you forward. Fear of not being trained enough, fast enough, etc… can only sustain motivation for so long. Then, faith, that belief deep down that you know you can do it…will take you forward and across the finish line!

2nd tip: Running is one of the most “mental” sports. Get your mind in the right place and the body will follow.

3rd tip: If you’re not having fun…you’re not doing right!”

-Diane N. 

“My favorite running tip is ‘run the mile you’re in.’” This phrase is something I repeat to myself often on runs, especially the challenging ones, and definitely on race day. It’s a good reminder to not get overwhelmed and just focus on that next step – just finish this one mile, give it your best effort, don’t worry about the next mile until you’re “in” it. This doesn’t just work for miles, if you’re new to running and beginning with intervals it can instead be “run the (fill in the blank) you’re in” whether it’s the next 200 meters or the next 2 minutes.” 

-Cora M. 

Now that you know some of our favorite tips and tricks, it’s time to lace up your running shoes and hit the treadmill or road. 

If you’re looking for a supportive community to support you along your journey, we invite you to join us in our TRUE Run Club on Strava. The TRUE Run Club is a global community created to connect and inspire like-minded runners around the world. We will encourage you throughout the year with exciting running challenges and opportunities to win TRUE swag and prizes. We hope to see you there, and wish you the best of luck in your first (or next) big race!