What’s the best bit of advice that you would give to new runners, bikers and swimmers?
Slow and steady wins the race! Not quite...but do start sloooooow. I hated running because I always went out too hard. Taking 80% of your running super easy pace, a nice low HR, I've been able to run further and recover super quick!
12th Mar 2024
Some people are LOVELY. Some people are HORRIBLE. And a surprising number of people are not who they say they are. This includes people who run, or post on running websites. And also, only spend time stretching if you enjoy stretching.
6th Mar 2024
Not every run is a race. So don't feel you have to belt it every time you hit the streets. Slow, long runs are often the ones you enjoy the most. Rest is just as important as running. Listen to your body and stop if it's shouting at you.
26th Feb 2024
Be pleased with what you achieve, whether its a few yards or several miles. And don't try to run off injuries - it doesn't work, I've tried that.
12th Feb 2024
Don’t try and do too much too soon. Plus, hard work and determination are (usually) rewarded with results
17th Jan 2024
Decide early on if it’s about achievement or enjoyment. Then scale back to get a balance
11th Jan 2024
Take it easy, don't overdo it, learn to listen to your body & your guts. AND there's nothing wrong with walking in between. People who take walk breaks get to the finish line faster and in better shape than people who force themselves to run through.
3rd Jan 2024
Set realistic targets and enjoy what you set out to do. Reward yourself when you achieve but don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t.
2nd Jan 2024
Slow down, and then slow down some more. For swimming in particular, you have to learn to go slowly in order to be able to go fast.
30th Dec 2023
Enjoy it, get your head up and enjoy your surroundings.Don't get too competitive.Steady is best/ don't run before you can walk.
27th Dec 2023
For runners: start with slow, short runs and don't overdo it. Stick with it and be patient: it takes at least 7 runs before you start to feel some progress - and then you'll be hooked. Also: proper shoes in a proper size.
15th Nov 2023
Routine. If you do something all the time you get better at it. Stop when you need to. Injuries suck. Be prepared for expensive trainers (and bike parts) not to last as long as you'd like.
9th Nov 2023
It’s ok to walk, and you always feel better after a run than before. (I'm not qualified to offer advice on swimming or cycling)
10th Oct 2023
Take it easy. Don't try to do too much too soon. And find something you like doing, use it as a benchmark, and keep coming back to it to prove your ability.
18th Sep 2023
Firstly - make sure you enjoy it.
Secondly - listen to all the advice you can get, but then make up your own mind as to what makes sense for you.
17th Sep 2023
Wear kit that makes you smile before you even start running, biking, swimming. Yeah, you look great. Enjoy.
31st May 2023
Take it steady it has to be fun there is time later to make the bigger changes and improvements. Remember to run your run don’t compare yourself to others, we were all new runners once. Smile relax and enjoy! Your Run Your Way!
30th May 2023
Join a club! You can improve so much more when you have others to advise you and spur you on.
10th May 2023
Stick at it, and soon you will get an almost exponential improvement curve, and feel great
22nd Apr 2023
Don't try to outrun your training. It should be a pleasure not a chore to stay active so listen to your body and work within its limits.
19th Apr 2023
Just do it, stop making excuses, but make sure you do something for strength and flexibility at the same time.
14th Mar 2023
Learn to enjoy it...
I'm still learning that despite poor weather it can be fun....though it helps to have a working shower!
14th Mar 2023
Don't worry about what anyone else thinks or compare yourself to others. Compete only with yourself. Get the right essential kit and go out and enjoy it. Log it and blog it on Fetcheveryone so you have something to look back at.
18th Feb 2023
Just keep moving, indoors if you can't get out! & there's always parts you can move if you're injured ... don't worry if you've planned & not done it & log stuff if you can, even the shortest walk. Be encouraged, we're all different! Go to parkruns!
16th Feb 2023
Find your tribe...for me, it's parkrun - not to actually run with (I'm not fast enough), but support, advice and the encouragement of real friends in my runny activities...
19th Jan 2023
Ignore your brain telling you to stop, it doesn't know what you're capable of
2nd Dec 2022
Choose safe areas at night and be visible to others.
Be careful on the roads.
Never swim alone.
20th Nov 2022
Stick with it - its worth the hard bit to get going - enter a race to give you something to aim for - and then enjoy the feeling of self accomplishment when you cross the finish line and you’ve done it ! Be proud
18th Nov 2022
It may seem hard at times but just keep going. The things you can achieve are far greater than what you ever think you can do
17th Nov 2022
Use 80/20 for 18 months of easy build up, add more runs, add distance, add quicker efforts, do not enter a mara for at least 2 years. A good 5k time is as good as a marathon time. Speed work is for middle distance runners. Think of paced intervals.
16th Nov 2022
Marginal gains are your friends. Training is lamination. Every bit of training counts whether you enjoy it or not. It creates the layers you can build on.
3rd Nov 2022
None, other than the obvious about getting proper shoes, not overdoing it, building slowly etc
12th Oct 2022
Start slowly and don't expect miracles, but given time, they will come. You'll achieve things you never thought possible.
6th Sep 2022
"The reason we race isn't so much to beat each other,... but to be with each other."
Christopher McDougall, Born to Run.
27th Aug 2022
It's always about going out and enjoy running don't put yourself under pressure about times and distances just build up slowly
24th Aug 2022
Don’t worry about your pace or the distance, getting out there and doing something is the most important thing.
15th Aug 2022
Progress at a pace you are comfortable with regardless of what others are doing - Enjoy what you do and how you do it.
13th Jul 2022
Best advice? Once you've got fit, don't lose it. It gets harder to get back every time.
10th Jul 2022
Running is a long game. Don't rush and spoil it with injuries; it's a beautiful journey
27th Jun 2022
No matter how tired you are or if you have a stitch or something, slow down but don't walk. You have to keep running.
16th Jun 2022
Take your time. Time in training, is better than a fast time while training :)
5th Jun 2022
For new runners, try not to expect instant results. Your lungs, heart, muscles and joints need time to adapt to the new stress. For faster times increase the volume of training. For longer runs go slower. Try a bit of Jeffing to reduce the stress.
21st May 2022
Simple answer this - Join a club! You'll meet people of all ages and abilities and it's great for finding people to exercise with, travel to races together and share successes and advice.
2nd May 2022
Runners: pick a nice, flat route in a park, say, and time yourself on one non-stop lap. Keep trying to beat your best time!
1st May 2022
Unless you're serious, in terms of actually winning events, to enjoy a variety of training, not just one aspect. Off road helps with lateral strengthening of joints.
3rd Apr 2022
Take your time, enjoy getting there, don’t go too hard or long too early. Build fitness over time, prioritise endurance/aerobic over speed/anaerobic training. Supportive stuff - strength, nutrition, REST big and put family first!
18th Mar 2022
shoes on, get out, decide if you're doing it after a mile. Not from the sofa
5th Feb 2022
The most difficult mountain is the mental one. To start running, simply start running. No matter how short or how slow. You can walk or stop if you need to! Then do it a bit further each time, or do a shorter one but in a faster time. Look up Parkrun
4th Feb 2022
Stick with it give it a good go...if its not for you..you can say you tried...you will benefit from running ..take your time and feel comfortable....we are all different 🙂
28th Jan 2022
Don’t be anxious or nervous e or think anyone judging. They’re wishing it were them out there moving!!
28th Jan 2022
Start off slow, build it up over time - and enjoy it! Seen too many friends "try" running, and going in with unrealistic expectations and then giving up. Just enjoy it and let it become the break that you look forward to a few times a week.
14th Jan 2022
Keep it simple, be kind to yourself and join a club or local group of likeminded people. Oh…. and long slow runs are good for you!
27th Dec 2021
Don't rush into too much too soon, build mileage slowly over weeks. For at 6 months, never do more than 1 speed session a week. Whatever pace you do slow recovery runs - slow down by another 45s/mile. Expect aches and pains as your body adapts.
23rd Nov 2021
Pick something you enjoy. Make it a part of your daily/weekly routine. And slow down.
31st Oct 2021
Little and often is key, and make sure that you keep your pace right down to where you can talk to yourself (or running partner if you have one!). It might seem like you aren't making progress, but then suddenly you'll realise how far you've come.
22nd Sep 2021
Slow and steady will get you there. Make sure you take it easy on your first event of each distance. That way you enjoy the experience and it is easier to improve on your times at the next event.
22nd Sep 2021
Count in minutes, not distance. You don't need a swish watch or GPS phone. Use fetch's route planner to estimate distance - even better if you plot AFTER your run to see what you achieved.
9th Sep 2021
Get some coaching on your technique before the bad habits become too ingrained.
8th Sep 2021
Don't run before you can walk. In other words, don't expect too much too soon. Take one step at a time, reflect on successes and use them to move on to greater challenges.
2nd Sep 2021
Don't worry about pace or speed, just get out there and get it done consistently. Consistency is key. Listen to your body, when it wants rest, let it rest.
2nd Sep 2021
Have a go! There will always be someone better than you, ignore them! This is about being better than you were yesterday
23rd Aug 2021
I ran every distance when I was a harrier from 100 metres to full marathon and my advice is especially at the start, enjoy it and forget about times and such like that will come later, also important to stretch and warm up before and after your runs
4th Aug 2021
Just get out there and enjoy yourself. Don’t stress about your time, tracker data and so on. Start slow, keep a regular schedule, and set yourself easy targets.
3rd Aug 2021
It's fine to go slowly and build up; get the miles in your legs then add speed.
Make sure you take water and snacks.
Get a bike fit and try chamois cream.
31st Jul 2021
Don't give up. It feels impossible initially but you'll soon be up to speed and going faster or longer than you ever thought possible. "People over estimate what they can do in the short term and underestimate what they can do in the long term"
17th Jul 2021
I have already told you I am new in the world, but I want to say them break your dizziness and laziness and focus on your health that will help you a lot in your upcoming future
2nd Jul 2021
Don't listen to advice. Everyone is individual. We have our own physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, and PSYCHOLOGY. What works for someone else will not work for you. Your body and mind will tell you what to do.
25th Jun 2021
Pick the most enjoyable routes and places, with variety. Do Parkrun if you're a runner – or not! It's fun. Join a club whatever your starting point. Almost every club has a wide range of standards: for runners – from shufflers to gazelles.
23rd Jun 2021
Be yourself. Speed doesn't matter. Distance doesn't matter. Just enjoying being yourself. Join a community, virtually here; physically with a club, for support and encouragement.
21st Jun 2021
For a new runner accept that running is generally hard even when fit, but never as hard as when you are starting from scratch. I have felt awful returning from injuries, but know eventually things will get easier. Also, the highs are amazing.
7th Jun 2021
Just enjoy yourself. Times, distances, medals, races.. these are great secondary goals, but the primary goal should be to have fun. This is a hobby after all!
6th Jun 2021
Your heart, muscles and lungs train faster than your skeleton, tendons and ligaments. If you make the first set forge ahead too fast, the second set will get injured.
3rd Jun 2021
Go get a gait analysis done for your first pair of running shoes, and then go back and get it checked again annually.
28th May 2021
Don't compare yourself to anyone. Set personal goals and they don't have to be about PB's or speed.
15th May 2021
Never compare yourself to others. Run, swim, bike at your own pace because we all need and do exercise fro different reasons. And get funky leggings. The louder the better.
11th May 2021
Make your challenge's small and get-able and keep going with little steps I did at 50 and at 52 ran London in 3hr 11min.
Now at nearly 80 I set 5k as my target for the year and can do 150mtr,but each step is great.
5th May 2021
At first it hurts, then not so much. Except sometimes it hurts 🤣 feels good though
12th Apr 2021
good question, so many different answers, take inevitable lows with the highs, to get faster train with faster guys, the more times you get out in your early running days the stronger you will get physically and mentally
11th Apr 2021
Please, please, please just enjoy it. You got our the door, it doesn't need to be faster, further or better unless you want it to for yourself, not because someone else's distance/time was "better."
10th Apr 2021
Just get out there and do it, doesn’t matter how fast, slow, good or bad you are the secret is to find something you love to do.
I'm terrible at fell running but it doesn't stop me trying.
9th Apr 2021
Don't fear it. Yes your going to be slow, it's going to feel hard, it's tiring but as time goes on it gets easier & becomes habit, you just have to get through those initial weeks where your trying to built it up, it's hard, it's meant to be!
7th Apr 2021
Take it easy. Don’t overdo it in the early stages and end up on the injury step. Listen to your body and let it adapt to the new stresses that you are putting it under.
5th Apr 2021
Keep going. Even if you have had a break for 6 weeks, 6 months or a year, you can come back.
5th Apr 2021
It takes time to get good/fast so dont try to be either just run/ride/swim with whats comfortable for you, and use the time to allow your body/stamina/endurance to build
28th Mar 2021
take your time, slow down, most people train at far too fast a pace = no recovery or injury, have a plan keep to one or two key sessions a week can be faster or longer, everything else should be slow and easy …….need patience and consistency
27th Mar 2021
Trainers should be comfy. It doesn't matter if your fast or slow. It's not cheating if you walk. And Gentlemen? Lube your nipples, particularly on a cold, rainy day.
22nd Mar 2021
Just get out there and do it. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are, whether you have the latest kit or you feel you look cool. All of us are just trying to be a bit better than we were yesterday. Keep going. The only failure is to not try.
20th Mar 2021
Go slow, don’t get carried away with trying to do what others are doing - a basic couch-to-5k type plan will get you going safely and ASK, ASK, ASK away in the forum
17th Mar 2021
1. A watched Garmin never downloads 2. if it ain't raining it ain't training 3. On swimming: Your warm-up is my workout.
14th Mar 2021
Just keep going. Never easy but the feeling you get after a good run, cycle, swim or workout is hard to replicate.
13th Mar 2021
Go slowly, do less than you think you can do, build up carefully so that you don't break.
12th Mar 2021
No-one finds it easy at first, but stick at it anyway. Don’t try to be spectacular, just be consistent.
P.S. It never becomes easy!
10th Mar 2021
Don't worry about targets, miles, speed etc. Just do what you enjoy and worry about the smiles instead.
10th Mar 2021
There is more to running than times - fast or slow. Build up slowly, enjoy it & appreciate just being able to do it.
9th Mar 2021
There will always be someone faster, and someone slower, than you. It’s ok to try to improve for yourself but don’t worry about them. Also - be careful if you chase your nemesis, you are likely to trip over and hurt yourself 🙄
7th Mar 2021
Try to enjoy what you do. Don't let it become a chore or a grind. It's our hobby afterall. We all want to be the best we can but nobody else is comparing or judging, we're all too self-obsessed!!!
7th Mar 2021
Best advice to new athletes would be to take your time and give your body chance to catch up with your ambitions.
6th Feb 2021
Just enjoy yourself and when it comes to racing then don't be a pussy and bury your head in it. Er the race not the pu.....*updating message*
5th Feb 2021
Rubber side down, skin side up. If it’s the other way round you fucked up.
30th Jan 2021
if you're knackered slow down, its still an achievement, however long it takes you.Main thing is doing it at all!
29th Jan 2021
If you want to run fast, you have to run fast. NB Other advice is available and in most cases more appropriate.
29th Jan 2021
Healthy living is a lifestyle choice. It is a journey, there are no shortcuts. Think long term, be patient and even when at your most critical remember there is always another event. Be careful with advice, sometimes the Bruce Lee approach is wrong .
20th Jan 2021
Train within your limits, and don't over-train, listen to the advice given, and don't train too fast on the long runs esp if trg for a marathon, plus go for the challenges...
10th Jan 2021
Build it up slowly and try lots of different things - i.e. runners - try offroad, road, with a club, on your own, intervals, fartlek, fancy dress, parkrun, a local race, a big race etc etc.
7th Jan 2021
Start with small goals and just watch yourself progress - just try to beat yourself
3rd Jan 2021
Stick with it. Start slow and build. Understand that the ones making it look easy have been doing it for years (yes, literally years, probably decades). Take all the wins along the way. Get a good coach. Pay for tuition. Join a club.
24th Nov 2020
Take it easy and build up miles slowly. Try to vary distance and routes. Smile and enjoy it.
7th Nov 2020
Runners don't try to do to much too soon build slowly just get out there.
Bikers say goodbye to your social life ;-).
Swimmers just do Open Water at least once in your life.
2nd Nov 2020
For a new runner: Slow down. You're almost certainly running too fast. Training is not racing.
10th Aug 2020
Take it easy, it so easy seeing Farah, Adllington and Froome and think I want to perform like them. So take it easy, slow down, enjoy yourself, take loads of rest. Be realistic about where you are and remember that "Comparison is the thief of joy"
3rd Jul 2020
Bikers and swimmers I’ve no idea as I’m not either of those things. New runners: slow down, you move too fast, got to make the morning last. Also there’s nothing wrong with walking!
3rd Jul 2020
Keep going, starting is always the hardest bit, find something that works for you, and stop comparing yourself to everyone else.
16th Jun 2020
Stick with it - everything is hard at first, and it does eventually get better. It never becomes easier, you just go faster/further to feel the same level of knackeredness
10th Jun 2020
Stick with it and don’t put pressure on yourself to expect it to happen too soon. Be realistic. I started on a couch to 5k and looking at it thought it would be easy but it surprised me, so I reset my expectations and got there.
10th Jun 2020
In terms of running, probably the best advice to newer runners is to "slow down".
5th Jun 2020
Don't enter that marathon after 6 months of running. Seriously, don't do it, you will get round but it will probably just frustrate/injure/demotivate you. Do it in a few years once you've focused on the shorter stuff.
4th Jun 2020
There are loads of resources out there. Seek them out but cast a critical eye on all advice. View a plan as a flexible structure instead of an absolute truth. We are all incredibly different, and so are our needs and responses during training.
17th May 2020
Take it steadily, and look back to where you've come from rather than comparing yourself to others.
5th May 2020
My best bit of advice is for those getting older, like myself. It is a quote by Bernard Shaw in which he says " we don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing". So I swap out the word playing for running.
24th Feb 2020
Make sure that you really do enjoy whatever activity is chosen or it will eventually become a chore and likely to cease! Be guided by your own goals and not any ones else's.
24th Jan 2020
Start slow, short and easy. Then build to whatever you want to be, there are no limits
11th Jan 2020
Don't look at the faster people in the next lane, overtaking you or on social mediums. The only thing that matters is your performance related to your own goals. be realistic, improvement takes time AND effort.
8th Jan 2020
Enjoy it! And train consistently, whether that is one day per week or seven.
22nd Dec 2019
Do NOT worry about pace. Get a garmin because logging it and seeing what you’ve done and seeing improvements is motivating
20th Dec 2019
Even if it feels really tough, looking back and knowing you have done it (run, bike, or swim) can make you feel good :-)
1st Dec 2019
Take it slow, do your own thing. Other people's blogs and plans are an inspiration, not your training plan!
9th Oct 2019
Start slowly and then slow down a bit. Don't forget the 10% rule of training.
9th Oct 2019
Be a consistent trainer and increase training incrementally, preferably glacially.
4th Oct 2019
Start off slowly and then go slower still because what you think is slow probably isn't.
16th Sep 2019
Keep your running personal to you, adjust it to what makes you happy. Make sure you re- assess every so often. Do you want to race?go faster? Longer? Trails, Ultras, Parkrun? With a mate? Solitude? Run Streak?
If you're gonna do it, do it for you
8th Aug 2019
Stick with it, it (almost always) gets better, and even becomes enjoyable when you realise your body can Do The Things it couldn't before.
8th Apr 2019
Gradually build up your efforts and distance and join some kind of club to do it with like-minded people.
10th Jan 2019
The countryside is fantastic in all seasons, get out there and run it at what ever pace suits you. Race only youself and if its not fun stop.
6th Dec 2018
The hardest part is getting out of the front door, once you have done that enjoy the experience however it happens to be today. Every run is different and often not the run you expect it to be.....embrace this
3rd Nov 2018
Don’t be so hard on yourself enjoy it and be the best version of yourself
20th Oct 2018
Enjoy it. Even the bad runs. Enjoy them too... when you think about it your body is doing amazing things.
9th Oct 2018
Your body's super-power is that it is adaptable and responds to practice. Take it easy, but keep doing it, and you will likely just get better and better.
29th Sep 2018
One bad run does not mean it's not for you. I don't know much about bikes - carry a spare inner tube? Swimming is great therapy for sore runners' legs :)
16th Jul 2018
Make a plan & start slow. Far far too many people start from nothing & go overboard, then stop as its too hard. Start slow and build up gradually. Just as important-find a running mate, they make it easier to get out the door. Once outside u love it.
4th Jul 2018
Take small steps to increase your training, particularly at the start. Remember that you’re in it for the long haul.
18th Jun 2018
Run your own road. You can get advice but ultimately it's you and your trainers.
15th Jun 2018
take your time you don't always have to run/cycle/ swim at full speed take in the scenery and relax
15th Jun 2018
Don't expect to see changes overnight, but as long as you keep enjoying it, you will see improvements quickly.
And, if you enter races, don't forget to smile as you cross the finish line!
14th Jun 2018
Decent kit is nice, a GPS will give you loads of fun stuff to analyse, but the most important thing you need is habit. When getting out there with a smile on your face becomes part of your life, you can think about time and distance goals.
14th Jun 2018
Slow down! Seriously, even if your goal is to get quicker, start slower. You can build up volume and speed more effectively if you don't get injured all the time. Build up gradually. Take breaks. But do build. And believe! Great times await! :-)
14th Jun 2018