Running for Beginners

Team World Vision loves beginners! And we want to help you feel confident as you train to accomplish a significant goal. Here are some questions we have heard from our team members that you might be asking as well...

Can I really do this??
What should I wear?
What kind of running shoes should I buy?
Do I need a watch?
It's important to wear a watch in order to help keep track of your pace, or the number of minutes it takes you to run each mile. It's especially key if you are doing a run/walk program and need to keep track of the time you run and then the time you walk. You don't need to spend a lot of money on a watch! GPS systems are great, but a $7 watch from Target works just fine!



What is Body Glide?
What do I do when it rains?
What is an expo?
The race expo takes place the weekend of the race. It's where you check in and pick up your bib number for your shirt. Usually, the expo is 2 days (Friday and Saturday before a Sunday race, for example.)

Remember the expo as you make travel arrangements. Most races require you pick up your race packet and bib number in person at the expo, and don't allow you to pick up your bib number on race morning. Plus, it's fun to walk around and pick up free samples!


What do I do if I get injured?
What is my pace?
Do I have to run the whole time?
No! Actually, many people do better on a run/walk program where they alternate several minutes of running with a minute or two of walking. We've created training programs to incorporate that technique into your training. Check out the beginner training programs on our Training Tools webpage.


What if I'm a plus size runner?