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Runners do weird things
The lowdown on getting started from a woman who sleeps next to a marathoner

The first time I saw my husband, Bill, carefully apply tape to his nipples, I knew a true runner had been born. A few years ago, the president of his company threw down the gauntlet during a management meeting, telling his employees they needed to get in shape. I believe his exact words were, "You're all fat, so I've signed everyone up for a marathon!"

At the time, Bill was a very fit homebody, an adept multi-tasker of the living room gentleman sports known as Couch Potato and Channel Surf. But after just nine months of training, he ran his first half-marathon in 2005 and has been like Forrest Gump ever since.

Runners do weird things. Boob tape is one of them. (Stand at the finish line of a marathon and you'll see why.) They also get up at o'dark thirty, strap a flashlight to their heads and do a 10-mile "training run." They consume substances called "Goo," and obsess about their iPods if the first song isn't U2's "Bad," life as we know it will cease to exist. At least that's the way it seems with the runner who sleeps next to me.

And they have very strong feelings about their shoes. According to Josh Spiker, professional runner and owner of Inside Track in Ventura, CA, a good pair of running shoes is the most important gear you can buy. But before you make that purchase, do yourself a favor and consult an expert. "You really need to get fitted, because there are varying levels of pronation control," Josh said. Pronation has to do with how the foot rolls, or turns, inward. Josh can analyze a person's gait, judge the level of pronation and recommend shoes accordingly. Running shoes can be expensive, upward of $100, but Josh is quick to point out, "A nice pair gives you 400-500 miles," and that puts it all in perspective when you break down the per mile cost.

After you've got the shoes, getting started is easy. Ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes recently spoke to my husband's company of striding ingnues and gave some really simple advice. Clearly someone who runs 50 marathons in 50 days has some crazy in him, but Karnazes says he got started like everyone else, by putting one foot in front of the other. He suggested signing up for an event, telling everyone you know and training up to your goal.

The advantages of running are pretty evident. You don't need to have a gym membership because you can do it anywhere, anytime. It's cheap, fast and easy. Start off slow and short to avoid injury and discouragement. Set attainable, realistic goals and raise the bar each time you achieve one.

So whether your goal is a mile or a marathon, lace up those sneakers, tape up those boobs and get out there!

Always consult a physician before starting a new fitness regimen.

Running resources:

Advice and Motivation: Runner's World Magazine, www.runnersworld.com

Gear: Road Runner Sports claims to be the world's largest running store and features great prices and a perfect fit guarantee: www.roadrunnersports.com

Virtua l Pedometer: Google has an online pedometer that lets you measure and map your route for free at www.gmap-pedometer.com

Events: Search by month, location and distance at www.active.com

Learn more about this author, Lisa Snider.
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