We’ve all been there. Lacing up for the first time ever or lacing up after taking a long period off is rough. That first run always makes you wonder “Why am I doing this?” At times you want to quit, but you want the benefits that come from running. The key to great running and increasing your mileage is to be on your feet as long as possible. Our 30-day Beginner’s Running Challenge will make a you fall in love with running by day 15!

Running in the late afternoon is always a good way to start a running program. Early in the morning, your body is still stiff from sleep and it takes a lot longer to loosen up. By late afternoon, all the walking you’ve done throughout the day has loosened up your whole body. If your schedule doesn’t permit for late afternoon, adjust as you need to make sure you hit your mark for each day; however, make sure you give your legs a great warm up. Stretching isn’t something you should only do before a workout, it should be part of your everyday morning routine. If you decide on a morning run, give yourself a half an hour to wake up first to get your body ready before hitting the pavement.