Get Ireland Running is a national campaign run in conjunction with the European Week of Sport that aims to increase awareness and encourage widespread participation in running for health, wellbeing and fitness. Athletics Ireland in coordination with Sport Ireland will be offering up free tips and advice on transforming your life by being physically active.
Exercise helps with not only your physical health but also your mental health, and the simplicity and accessibly of running makes it the perfect form of exercise to be enjoyed throughout life. And don’t worry if you’re just starting out, over 300,000 people in Ireland run on a regular basis already so won’t have to go it alone – Through 360 Athletics Clubs, Nationwide Fit4Life Groups, and 1000 affiliated schools, Athletics Ireland continues to support people from the ages of 8 to 80 staying active, fit and healthy.
The hardest part is making that first step but there are number of ways to get started, the most common of which is to reach out to your local athletics club, each of which cater for a range of ages and abilities. You can find a full list of the Athletics Clubs throughout Ireland here.
If you aren’t ready to get involved in club life just yet, then our FAQs of running below will provide the perfect resource to get you up and running!
We look forward to supporting you on the journey.
#BeActive
Get Ireland Running is a national campaign that aims to increase awareness and encourage widespread participation in running for health, wellbeing and fitness. Quite often we get asked a variety of questions about running so we thought it would be great to answer some of the frequently asked questions.
Start walking for a length of time that feels comfortable–anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Once you can walk for 30 minutes easily, sprinkle 1 to 2 minute running sessions into your walking. As time goes on, make the running sessions longer, until you’re running for 30 minutes straight.
Warming up is a key part of any exercise routine, so time is best spent warming up the muscles rather than stretching before activity. Do a couple of minutes of light aerobic exercise to loosen up your muscles and warm you up for your run. Some good pre-run warm-up exercises include walking briskly, marching, jogging slowly, or cycling on a stationary bike. Make sure you don’t rush your warmup.
The most common way to find a group to run with is to reach out to your local athletics club, each of which cater for a range of ages and abilities. See our full list of Athletics Clubs throughout Ireland. Alternatively why not get involved in one of our many programmes.
Athletics Ireland has a mission to support and develop athletics across all ages, disciplines, and abilities and to contribute positively to increasing physical activity levels across the entire population. Our clubs are a great starting point for anyone thinking about getting involved in running, with many running Fit4Life, Couch to 5k, and beginner programmes, so make sure to get in touch with your local club.
Running doesn’t require much outside of the will to start, but you have to have a good pair of running shoes. Running shoes are designed to help your foot strike the ground properly, reducing the amount of shock that travels up your leg. They’re also made to fit your foot snugly, which reduces the slipping and sliding that can lead to blisters.
A treadmill ‘pulls’ the ground underneath your feet, and you don’t face any wind resistance, both of which make running somewhat easier. Many treadmills are padded, making them a good option if you’re carrying a few extra pounds or are injury-prone and want to decrease impact. To better simulate the effort of outdoor running, you can always set your treadmill at a 1-percent incline.
The beauty of running is that it’s right outside your front door. You can run anywhere that’s safe and enjoyable to do so. The best running routes are scenic, well lit, free of traffic, and well populated. Think of running as a way to explore new territory.
Yes, you’re probably trying to run too fast. Relax. Slow down. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is to run too fast. Concentrate on breathing from deep down in your belly, and if you have to, take walking breaks.
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