The Starting Line is just that: a place to start running. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, or how much (or how little) you’ve exercised in the past. Runner’s World launched The Starting Line as a digital destination to get the beginners the help, guidance, and encouragement they need to get going. The program includes:
• FREE beginner-friendly articles on weight loss, nutrition, walking and running, and more
• FREE e-mail access to our panel of experts on working out, weight loss, injuries, motivation, and nutrition
• A FREE private online community full of other beginners just like you. Our mission is to get you moving and help you reach your goals—whatever that means for you.
• A FREE Start Walking plan designed for people who are just starting to exercise. This 7-week plan will help you get into the habit of exercising on a regular basis and develop a foundation of fitness to begin your running life.
• TRAINING plans to help you Start Running, Run Nonstop (up to 30 minutes), Run Longer (up to 60 minutes), and Run Faster
The Starting Line is designed to accommodate people of all levels of fitness and ability. The best way to start running and get fit—without getting hurt—is to start where you are; not where you were in high school or where you hope to be 1 year from now.
The Starting Line training system was designed by exercise physiologist and coach Janet Hamilton, owner of Atlanta-based Running Strong, in partnership with the experts at Runner’s World. Below find more details about each stage. Consider what kind of exercise you’ve been doing on a regular basis—three to five times a week—for the last 3 months and decide where it’s best for you to start. Then go to runnersworld.com/the-starting-line to get going.
• START WALKING: For those who are not working out on a regular basis, the Start Walking stage will help you develop the fitness—and the habit—to start walking 30 minutes a day, four to five times a week.
• START RUNNING: If you’re already exercising and want to start running, the Start Running stage will help you to add short bouts of running to your regular walks.
• RUN NONSTOP: If you’re already exercising and want to reduce or eliminate walk breaks, the Run Nonstop stage will help you run for 30 minutes.
• RUN LONGER: If you’re already running 30 minutes nonstop, the Run Longer stage will help you develop the endurance to extend your runs to 60 minutes.
• RUN FASTER: The Run Faster stage will guide you through your first speed workouts and help you develop the cardiovascular and muscular fitness you need to get faster.
For more information, visit the Web site runnersworld.com/the-starting-line.