Quick guide to running

It’s Sunday afternoon and I find myself in a recreation area in the vicinity of a large city. I've rarely seen so many runners. It strikes me that many of them look like first-time runners. Some are wearing everyday clothes and street shoes and seem to be struggling. Doing sport might be healthy, but with bad equipment and technique, Achilles tendonitis, runner's knee and other injuries are inevitable. Here are a few articles on running – to help you get started and make sure your new activity doesn’t end you up at the physiotherapists or the orthopaedic surgeon.

The equipment

No, you don't have to spend hundreds of francs to take up running. In summer, all you need is a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. But take a few minutes to think about your feet and shoes:

Rookie mistakes

Almost anyone can run. Nevertheless – or for this very reason – we often make serious mistakes at the beginning of our «running career». Here are the most common ones:

Your mind

Running is hard work. Your calves will let you know after a 10-kilometre run. But it requires mental strength, too. How you’ll manage? These few tips aren’t only helpful in a race but also when you’re running for fun:

How fast and long?

Not only your head turns red, so does your heart rate. In the long run, this is neither healthy, nor does it boost your performance. On the contrary. Go on long but slow runs on your own:

Speaking of heart rate

What does your heart rate reveal about you and your performance? Read this article to find out:

Interval follows long slow distance

Okay, if you’ve just started running, you may not (yet) be interested in this. Or maybe you are?

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