The first time I went out running 4-5 years back, I thought I would collapse post 500 meters. I was drenched with sweat and could hardly breathe. And this was despite walking 5 kms every other day, which gave me the confidence that I could jog “easily” in the first place. I refused to give up and, with tips from other runners, I kept at it and learned along the way.

The only way to start running is to shed your inhibitions and get started, the distance and speed doesn’t matter. Don’t let others’ achievements of the distance they have clocked, bog you down.

No one wakes up one day and starts running 10km. It has to build up slowly. For someone like me it took time as I hadn’t been active in any sports for almost 15 years. But you will soon realise that running is one sport which embraces every one. There is a runner in each of us.

The sheer joy of completing your first 5km, 10km and half/full marathon is incomparable; however, it’s the journey, those 4-5 months of training which makes it special. You discover things about yourself which you didn’t know you are capable of and every time you are able to crack a certain distance, you can’t help but feel amazed.

And, as long as you are running – fast or slow, you are a RUNNER.

Since I get a lot of queries on how to get started. I requested a couple of best running coaches to share their tips and plans. And I will keep adding more of my personal experiences too.