"Most runners take up their sport in order either to lose weight, gain fitness or stay fit.
Those are already desirable goals in themselves, and running is a very efficient way to achieve them. Cycling, swimming, walking and other sports are also fun, but none of them, I think, burn up calories as fast as running, and neither are they as conveniently easy to practice.
Soon, however, the motivation changes. Running becomes an end in itself...."
The following series of articles, already posted in this blog, takes the reader from the very beginning, i.e. the idea of taking up running as a means to improve one's health, proceeding all the way to doing a marathon. You may wish to follow the whole process, or pick up from somewhere in the middle, or of course not read any of it at all...
Introduction: A step-by-step guide to running a marathon
0. The big decision
1. The first steps
2. Safety first
3. Endurance build-up
4. When the going gets tough...
5. Dogs and other problems
6. The standard 10k session
7. Speedwork
8. Interval training
9. Tempo runs
10. The long run
11. Building up to a marathon
12. Road races
13. Forced breaks
14. Running at a "certain" age...
15. The entire training schedule
16. The marathon
17. What next?
The entire series in one window may be viewed on this link - the articles are sorted with the final article on top and the first at the bottom. Enjoy your running...
