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Run yourself fit – a perfect book for beginner runners

Run Yourself Fit_COVER_FINAL.indd

As soon as I heard about Run yourself Fit, I thought of you. I get asked so many questions about how to start running from scratch and I know there are stacks of you who are secret wannabe runners. Maybe you have never tried running but fancy having a go. Perhaps you tried it once, found it too hard and gave up (been there, done that). Or maybe you used to run but haven’t done it in years. If any of these sound like you, this book is definitely for you. It’s written by Editor-at-Large of Women’s Running magazine and all-round running nut Christina Macdonald, and what she doesn’t know about running isn’t worth knowing.

Christina Macdonald

This book is really practical and addresses all the common beginners’ questions. Christina doesn’t shy away from the questions that older runners want to ask, too, like, “Will running affect my joints?” and “Can I run with high blood pressure?” And, brilliantly, she doesn’t even shy away from the more embarrassing questions you might be too shy to ask, like, “Can running cause stress incontinence?” or “Will running make my nipples bleed?” (ouch!!)

The book covers the practicalities of what you need to get started, how to get yourself in the right frame of mine to get off the sofa, and literally what you should do the very first time you haul yourself outside and take your first steps. Christina suggests a weekly timetable to get you started and advises on how to build up your fitness, how to deal with injuries and what to eat for health, weight loss and racing.

The tone is friendly and straightforward without being at all patronising. It’s the next best thing to having your very own personal trainer.

I’ve put a Q&A with Christina up on my Facebook page. You’ll find it HERE (and if you fancy giving my page a like, I wouldn’t mind a bit! Please, please let me know how you get on with your first attempts at running – can’t wait to hear from you!

Run Yourself Fit is available for £6.99 from Amazon.

Happy running!

Patricia signature 2

 


Feb 15, 2016Patricia Carswell

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Comments: 94
  1. Joanne Mallon
    February 15, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    I hate that despite trying many times, I can't seem to get into running to the point where I enjoy it. I'm currently giving it another go but the famous 'runner's high' always seems to elude me.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 15, 2016 at 3:51 pm

      I totally get that. I find that (a) running in the prettiest places I can find, (b) choosing a run with a nice, big downhill bit and (c) not going too fast all helps!

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  2. Harriet
    February 15, 2016 at 4:10 pm

    I love the fresh air it gives me.

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  3. Tracy Nixon
    February 15, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    I live on the North East coast right beside the beach. We have a long prom and pier which are great to run along but it is always so cold during the Winter months and busy during the Summer months!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 15, 2016 at 4:32 pm

      Oh, how lovely to run next to the sea, though. Must be bracing on a windy day!

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  4. Michelle O'Neill
    February 15, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    i love the way i feel after x

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 15, 2016 at 4:36 pm

      It's a great feeling, isn't it?!

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  5. Tamsyn
    February 15, 2016 at 4:37 pm

    I love running outdoors because it always feels peaceful and quiet... but running on a treadmill is my idea of torture!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 15, 2016 at 4:39 pm

      That's exactly how I feel about rowing! Love, love, love rowing on the river. On the rowing machine, though, pretty much sheer hell!!

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  6. josephine
    February 15, 2016 at 4:56 pm

    i love the way it makes me feel! (strong, bad ass, healthy, fit, etc)

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 15, 2016 at 5:10 pm

      Yeah!!!

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  7. Rachel Craig
    February 15, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    I don't know how people can run in bad weather :- e.g.rain etc. I was a walker in the past. Never have liked the idea of running in the rain, also surely difficult, as muscles relax better with some warm.

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  8. laura stewart
    February 15, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    i enjoy running but i still have to look my best x

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 15, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      Nothing wrong with that!

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  9. lorraine
    February 15, 2016 at 7:23 pm

    My main problem when running is that one of my ears block and I can hear myself 'inside my head' which is very annoying. I wonder if that is a problem for anyone else too?

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 15, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      That's really interesting. I've never heard of that problem before, but I bet you're not alone in it. Have you asked on running forums?

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  10. Shirley Evans
    February 15, 2016 at 8:15 pm

    Hate the getting started,alright once going,it's the psyching up to go

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 15, 2016 at 8:40 pm

      Yes, they do say that the hardest bit is getting out of the door in the first place.

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  11. Cristín Williams
    February 15, 2016 at 9:41 pm

    The thing I love most about running is the feeling afterwards, I always feel more relaxed and like I have accomplished something.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 8:40 am

      It's a great feeling, isn't it?

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  12. Miranda
    February 15, 2016 at 10:36 pm

    I love discovering new places whilst running, but I hate when I get bored on a long training run!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 8:40 am

      I love the idea of exploring a new place this way. Maybe I'll try that next time I travel!

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  13. Caroline Blaza
    February 15, 2016 at 10:56 pm

    I'm looking for the motivation to start running....I think this book could help x

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 8:39 am

      Fingers crossed, then!

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  14. Emma Riches
    February 16, 2016 at 6:13 am

    Getting hot and sweaty and in my case looking like a beetroot!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 8:39 am

      The beetroot look is totally in - shows you worked hard!

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  15. Allan Wilson
    February 16, 2016 at 6:37 am

    I love it when I'm on the go - it's the getting motivate to get out of bed and off for a run that I hate.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 8:39 am

      I hear ya!

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  16. EJ Dunn
    February 16, 2016 at 8:22 am

    It gets really boring for me

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 8:39 am

      There's some good advice in the book about mixing it up! Hope you can find a way to put some variety in.

      ReplyCancel
  17. Andreea (@pennyplainfit)
    February 16, 2016 at 10:09 am

    Running is my favourite way to escape, it's my little "me time". I wrote a blog post a while ago http://bit.ly/1olUE2N and I still think all those things

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 10:24 am

      Really enjoyed your post - thanks for linking. Especially like, "You don’t get a PB by comparing your race time to someone else’s, you get a PB by improving yourself." So true. I need to remember that in rowing.

      ReplyCancel
  18. Rebecca Howells (@PeanutHog)
    February 16, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    I don't like that it can ruin your knees if you do a lot of it.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 4:57 pm

      There's advice on preserving your joints in the book - worth a look.

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  19. Lauren Old
    February 16, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    I hate the idea of bumping into someone I know and having to talk to them whilst looking a sweaty mess!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 4:57 pm

      They're probably just dead impressed that you're out running!

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  20. carol boffey
    February 16, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    Great advice

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  21. heather brannan
    February 16, 2016 at 8:10 pm

    I worry that I'll only be able to run for 5 mins and then be totally out of puff and just look ridiculous!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 8:24 pm

      I think everybody feels like that at the beginning. There's some great advice in the book on how to build up gradually (mixing running with walking), and Christina does say the most common mistake people make is to go off too hard and then run out of puff!

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  22. Christine Beake
    February 16, 2016 at 9:11 pm

    I love running on unknown routes so I don't know how far I am from the end!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 9:28 pm

      Ooh, nice idea. It's a long time since I've done that.

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  23. claire woods
    February 16, 2016 at 9:12 pm

    I'd love to run but getting out of puff is no joke

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 16, 2016 at 9:28 pm

      That seems to be a common issue!

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  24. Samantha Atherton
    February 16, 2016 at 10:30 pm

    I like running but hate the impact it has on my knees.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 9:35 am

      Yes, this seems to be a common concern. The book does cover joint issues.

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  25. Adrian Bold
    February 17, 2016 at 1:59 am

    I love running early morning in the winter / autumn months. Something about running in the dark / colder periods just appeals to me.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 9:34 am

      Impressed!!

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  26. Vicky Online
    February 17, 2016 at 8:56 am

    I live on a farm with no street lights for miles, so I hate running in the dark. I wish they would stop putting the clocks back.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 9:34 am

      Oh, that does make things difficult. I suppose summer running in a beautiful place makes up for it a bit, though.

      ReplyCancel
  27. Caroline J Robinson
    February 17, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    I love the adrenaline you get when completing a run but I hate the thought of running up hills and having to stop midway to catch my breath lol

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 6:04 pm

      I can totally relate to that!

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  28. Bridgette West
    February 17, 2016 at 1:53 pm

    I used to love to run when it was snowing, felt magical, just getting over a knee operation and want to run to be fit again :)

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 6:04 pm

      Ooh, I've never run in the snow - it must be amazing.

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  29. Lewis A
    February 17, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    I love running through beautiful countryside. It's so easy to lose yourself!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      Yes, nothing like some lovely countryside to take your mind off the running!

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  30. Ruth Wollerton
    February 17, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    I love running it calms and destresses me

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      It's a great feeling afterwards, isn't it?

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  31. Corinne Peat
    February 17, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    I love raising my heart rate from running. Just wish I could run for longer!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 8:00 pm

      Baby steps!

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  32. Shannon
    February 17, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    I hate that I'm so unfit I can't even run a short distance. Really want to be able to run around with the kids and not have to stop coz I am so out of breathe.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 8:36 pm

      It's great to have a motivation like your kids to get yourself fit. Good luck with your efforts!

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  33. Gerri Tennant
    February 17, 2016 at 8:51 pm

    I would love to be able to run but have never found the secret. My throat closes up and I can't breath. I can only do about 10 running steps at the moment but I am determined to get fit and overcome this. This book sounds like the answer, thanks.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 9:03 pm

      I can really relate to this - the first time I tried running I went at it too hard and thought I was going to die! The book has brilliant advice about pacing yourself and building up gradually.

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  34. Rebecca Powell
    February 17, 2016 at 9:04 pm

    I love it best when you forget you're running - that's when you know you're really into it

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 17, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      I'm still waiting for that amazing moment!

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  35. Aaron Milne
    February 17, 2016 at 9:43 pm

    Running - feels like i'm going to die

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:16 am

      Ha, I think we can all relate to that! Have you tried going a bit more gently and building up from there?

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  36. Lorraine Mabbitt
    February 17, 2016 at 9:51 pm

    I'm trying to love it , but I'm still so unfit I need lots of help. But one thing I like about it it feels like I'm running from problems.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:17 am

      It is hard at the beginning as your body gets used to the exertion. Christina has great advice about building up your fitness in a manageable way.

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  37. Ann Currie
    February 17, 2016 at 10:38 pm

    I love running, parkruns, races, exploring new places, feeling happy and strong at the end of a run...the list goes on!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:17 am

      Fab! I have done one parkrun and it was great.

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  38. Charlotte
    February 17, 2016 at 11:24 pm

    I love the idea of running, but when ever I try it I struggle to build up the stamina to do it. I dance 4 days a week and find it easy but when I run I'm knackered by the time I get down the street x

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:18 am

      I can relate to this! Dancing is great for your fitness, though, so if you enjoy that more, maybe you should stick with what you love. Just a thought!

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  39. karen watt
    February 18, 2016 at 6:48 am

    I have just started powerwalking/running slowly going for longer

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:18 am

      That's a great way to start. YOu'll be surprised by how quickly your stamina improves.

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  40. Sally Collingwood
    February 18, 2016 at 8:15 am

    I love the fresh air and time to think and clear my mind!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:18 am

      Yes, it's a great feeling, isn't it?

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  41. Hayley Todd
    February 18, 2016 at 8:37 am

    I am very lucky in that I live in a very pretty place and always have lovely scenic places to run. I love the way running makes me feel, it gives me a sense of freedom, exhiliration and peace. The only thing I hate about running is going out in the cold weather!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:19 am

      It helps a lot having beautiful surroundings. And it's SPRING TIME soon!!!

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  42. Christine Hobbs
    February 18, 2016 at 8:46 am

    Took up running when I was 25 Im now 55 and have only had a break to have 3 children. I love running its easy to put on your shoes and go. You dont need special clothes just good trainers. You can add some walking and hills and it costs nothing. Swimming and gym costs mega bucks takes time to get there before anything is achieved. I can run get home and shower before gym people even start training.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:19 am

      Yes, that's a huge benefit, isn't it? You can pack a huge amount of exercise into just half an hour!

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  43. Vickie Jackson
    February 18, 2016 at 2:54 pm

    I love that you can completely lose yourself and nothing then matters

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 3:01 pm

      That's one of the brilliant things about sport, isn't it?

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  44. aaron broad
    February 18, 2016 at 3:20 pm

    I hate how boring it can get without music

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 3:52 pm

      I prefer running without music, but I know lots of people swear by it.

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  45. Kizzy Lee
    February 18, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    Sounds weird but when I run I get really paranoid about my face moving, like my cheeks moving up and down! I'm frightened it will make me saggy! They make sports bras, but can you imaging if they made a sports support for your face?! Haha

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:37 pm

      Haha, just imagine!

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  46. LEE HARDY
    February 18, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    I hate pressure on my knee.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      Ah, that is difficult.

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  47. Alix Smith
    February 18, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    I used to do a lot of running before I had my kids - even did the London marathon back in 2009 - I used to love the time to myself to listen to podcasts.

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:39 pm

      Wow, that is impressive. Hope you can get back to it before too long.

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  48. kelly holden
    February 18, 2016 at 7:49 pm

    I hate running in public!

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    • Patricia Carswell
      February 18, 2016 at 9:39 pm

      I think a lot of people feel that way!

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  49. Chris Fletcher
    February 18, 2016 at 11:16 pm

    I love getting out and exploring and running is a great way to do it whilst keeping fit!

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