Also, try laying your running kit next to your bed the night before. So, treat your training time like you would an important appointment, and if you’re really struggling to commit, find a workout buddy or a group so you have a solid reason to get out there often.

With our hectic lives, trying to fit the new commitment of a running routine into your schedule can be a major barrier. Eventually, build up to four days, and then you can bump those 20 minutes to 25 and so on. Obviously, a realistic and safe goal will vary according to your starting levels of health and fitness, but Meyer says a good new-runners’ target is to get moving for 20 minutes, three days a week.

‘The biggest thing when you first start out is establishing the habit – getting used to being on your feet,’ says running coach Matthew Meyer.Īt the start, forget about hitting a certain pace, ditch the idea of reaching a certain distance instead, just set a time goal. You can spend all year thinking about it and Googling tips, but the key is to just lace up and get out there for a walk, jog or run (or a bit of all three – more on that later).

Download 10k walk run training plan