A great tip for running is this - walk sometimes, it's not the end of the world, and it will help you get to your ultimate running goal faster.

Often, when people begin to run, they seem to think they have to start running the minute
they leave their house and they should be still running when they get back to it. That's not only a recipe for putting you off running for life, it can also make it more likely you'll get injured. When you start to run, it's fine to run for a while then walk for a while, run for a while and walk for a while - even runners who have been running for years sometimes do this. There's really no shame in walking.

For beginning runners, think of this. When you first start to run, your body is likely going to go into shock. "What are we doing?" "I've never gone this fast before?" "Is he crazy, is he trying to kill me?" You haven't moved at this speed, often since you were a kid, so a sudden increase in the speed your body is expected to move at can be a big shock to it. <p>The best thing to do when beginning to run is to ease into it. Set yourself a distance goal - nothing too
far - and stick to it. But, if it becomes difficult to get to that goal while still moving at a running pace, then slow down. Run a little, jog a little, walk a little. Run a little, jog a little, walk a little. Keep to a pace that is comfortable for you and that you can comfortably still speak at. If you're finding it difficult to speak, or especially if you're finding it difficult to breath, slow down. Walk for a while. You'll still get to your distance goal so you won't feel a failure, unlike if you push yourself to run to get there but don't make it.

Don't forget too, pushing yourself to a speed you are not yet comfortable with will usually result in one of several things:

One, when you find you cannot keep to that speed, you will get discouraged and stop running. You've given yourself an expectation that is unrealistic and will only lead to disappointment.

Two, you are more likely to be injured if you push your body to a continuous speed it's not happy with. Pulled muscles often result and these can take weeks to heal, thus putting you out of action for a long time. This is when many people's running career ends before
it starts.

Three, you'll find your distance goals will shorten as you find it difficult to reach them. This means it will take you so much longer to reach a distance goal that feels like it's an achievement.

So, remember, the next time you head out for a run and are finding the pace a little bit too much, slow down. Ease into a walking speed, take some deep breaths and check out the scenery. When you reach your distance goal, pat yourself on your back for a job well done, and go home and take a nice hot shower. Tomorrow the pace will be easier, tomorrow you'll run a bit faster and, before you know it, that first distance goal will be reached at a running pace faster than you ever dreamed possible.