Begin Running

Jogging is a great way to stay fit, get in shape, or enjoy the outdoors. Nobody can be a great runner on their first try. It takes both conditioning and perseverence. When trying to get back into shape, you have to start somewhere. The best place is probably to go for a walk. Do a little bit more each day until you think you might just be able to break into a run. Before you do run however its best to stretch out a bit. Your body won't tighten up as easily while your running or when your done. You should stretch when your done running too after walking breifly to cool down.

Walking vs Running

Walking is great exercise but jogging is obviously better for you because it increases your heart rate and uses far more energy. The newest thing I've learned which surpirsed me however is that doing an interval workout where you alternate walking and jogging will burn the most calories of all. If you have lousy knees like I do its probably better to stick with walking or switch to biking. I wrote another article about that that explains all about knee health. You can read about that here if your interested http://hubpages.com/hub/choosing-a-bike

Jogging Distance

As mentioned above, you will not be able to jog for long distances initially because you body won't be used to it. However once you have been doing it more each day you will begin to notice that it takes less effort each time and you go farther without even realizing it. Once adrenaline kicks in, its a great feeling and it kind of makes you happy for no reason at all. Many times when you begin to wear out and don't think you can go any farther you suddenly will get something known as a second wind. All of a sudden you feel fresh and new, like you just started and ready to run another 5 miles. This second wind is believed to be caused by your body responding to an increase of lactic acid in your muscles. I don't know the particulars and they really aren't important. The main thing is that a second wind feels incredible and will enable you to run a much greater distance than you would have been able to.

If you do begin running longer and longer distances there are plenty of resources available that will give you tips on how to make your journy a more pleasant one. For instance, when running hundreds of miles long distance pro's buy shoes that are a size bigger than they need. They then layer socks to fill the space and as their feet swell take them off. Also, many pros put vasaline on their feet to prevent blistering and when they do get a blister, they pop it with a sterile needle. I apologize for the gross commentary but these info can prove useful if your ever someplace with a blister and another 50 miles to go. Blisters can only be popped on the front pads of your foot, on the heel its best to just cover it with calfskin to prevent infection.

Jogging in place

Nobody always has time to go out for a long jog. The weather doesn't always cooperate either. Jogging in place is a great way to get your heart rate up which is definitely important to weight loss. In many workout videos, the instructor will have you do this before launching into another complex series of movements. Its kind of like priming your body for action and not letting in rest.

Jogging in the morning

This is something I haven't been able to master as of yet. Its the only time of the day that most people would be able to manage getting exercise due to hectic schedules but I just don't have the self discipline unfortunately. During the summer it makes sense to do it because the full burning temperature doesn't usually happen until midday when the sun is at its highest point. It's definitely better to jog when its cooler so you won't over heat. Jogging when its ninety degrees out is an awful idea and I can't believe it when I see some crazy yahoo running in it during a heat advisory warning. The most important thing to remember is to keep hydrated. Don't drink kool aid or somthing high in sugar because that will dehydrate further. Drink water because thats what your body is made of and thats what it needs.

Running gear

There aren't too many things that you need when your running due to the fact that you can't carry very much. There are a few things however that will make the experience a far more pleasant one. For example, if you jog in a cotton t shirt or shorts it will absorb the sweat from your body and hang on you wetly. Nobody wants clingy gross clothes while they exercise. Also, wearing running shoes is a must because anything else is not engineered to provide comfort. I used to jog in casual sneakers when I was younger because I thought they looked cool and I almost destroyed the pads on my feet. Since then I have learned my lesson on the importance of wearing good shoes. Lightweight nylon running shorts are quite comfortable and a moisture wicking t shirt is probably one of the best choices you could make. I was never a believer in these until I got one. Moisture wicking technology basicially takes all the sweat away from your body magically keeping you cool and dry. Sunglasses are also a great idea if its exceptionally sunny.

pedometer

This is a device that helps you keep track of the distances you ran and the time it took you to cover them. I used to use one and it just clipped to my shorts. Now they are much cooler and have mp3 players and other things that make them a really neat gadget and make you look like a pro. I used it to figure out how far I was running each day and track my progress

In summary, jogging is just one more activity you can use to stay fit and enyoy the outdoors this summer. Stop doing it if you have bad knees though and take up an activity that pust less stress on them such as biking in a low gear or swimming.