I haven’t always loved to run. In middle school, I dreaded “The Mile” day in P.E.. Dreaded it like the plague. I would literally run, walk, run, walk… and then be sure to run across the actual finish line. In high school, I made sure to choose sports that didn’t require running (i.e. volleyball + golf…. and I did two years of track… sprints only please…). Yet somewhere in college, I picked it up and actually enjoyed it. Maybe it was because I lived on the beach in San Diego and having the boardwalk as your “trail” isn’t really something to complain about… or maybe I discovered the mental benefits that running could provide. Either way, running has been part of my life ever since those college days…..

I share my morning runs over on instagram, and have been receiving a lot of questions…. choosing the right shoes, playlists, how often I run, and how to even start running in the first place… so I decided to dedicated today’s blog post to answering four of the most common questions….

1. How do you go about choosing a running shoe + what do you look for in them? 

Always comfort, then style. It’s crazy how many different running shoes there are, and how what works for one person, might not work for another person’s foot. I’ve worn Nike’s for a long time now, my sister wears Asics. I actually have a few pairs of athletic shoes, and I’m breaking them down for you below…..

I wore this Nike pair (updated version/new colors, same style) to train, and run, my half marathon. When I was picking out a running shoe, I relied heavily on support and cushioning… as well as how my foot felt in the shoe. Did it feel restricted anywhere (i.e. toe bed)… did it feel supported in the ankle area… did it feel spring-y when I would run (as opposed to a flat footed feeling)? If it met all those criteria, it was a winner… and this pair did. I’m in need of a new option, and I’m currently trying out a new brand/style all together. Can’t wait to share the experience. Let’s also chat about socks for a moment. They’re so important in the running experience. I’m not big on thick socks, so I look for a thinner option that still provides some cushioning. Stance brand (the socks featured above) has rapidly become a favorite. (Leggings)

I bought these Adidas kicks towards the end of my training process, and found them to be a great cross-trainer. They’re extremely cushioned, but lack the support needed for distance running. I’ve run 3 miles (tops) in these shoes, and use them for long walks (6 miles), HIIT workouts, and weight training. I also own them in black because they also double as really comfortable everyday kicks.

I got this APL pair right after the New Year… I tried my girlfriend’s pair on and they were super comfortable. Again, I didn’t get the “distance” running shoe feel from them… they were a little too restrictive on the top of my foot, but loved them for long walks, HIIT, and weight training…. they do take some breaking in… approximately 3-4 days, but after that they fit like a dream.

I’ve actually had this Adidas tubular pair (currently 50% off…) for a couple of years now, but thought that I would add them here. They are similar to the first Adidas option… excellent in comfort, but not enough support for distance running. You’ll love them for shorter runs, long walks, HIIT, and weight training….

2. I want to start running, any tips on how to begin?

For me, it was all about pacing myself, and gradually increasing the distances I ran. I remember when I first started, I thought I’d just be able to head out and run however long I’d like. Not. I took off at a much faster pace than I could sustain, and probably stopped after 3 minutes. For a while, I worked on how long I ran versus how far I ran. It looked a little like this: start with a 5 minute walk, run for at least 5 minutes, then walk for 5 minutes, and then try to run for 6 minutes…. the recovery walk was important for me in order to catch my breath. Once I found my cardio strength increasing, I was able to reduce recovery walks and increase my running time. It’s also super important to listen to your body…

I’m not a professional trainer or anything, but I also think incorporating other things such as HIIT + weight training can help you increase your endurance and speed!

3. What’s your current playlist? 

I am such a creature of habit that I haven’t switched mine up since the last time I shared it… buuut, it is getting a little dull, so I’ll likely compile a new one and share with you in a few weeks! Here is my older one though……

Born This Way- Lady Gaga
Poker Face- Lady Gaga
Fighter- Christina Aguilera
Stronger- Britney Spears
All I Do Is Win- DJ Khaled
No Limit- G-Eazy
Woman- Kesha
Work B**ch- Britney Spears
California Love- 2Pac
This Is What You Came For- Calvin Harris
Can’t Stop The Feeling- Justin Timberlake
8 Mile- Eminem
Jumpman- Drake + Future
Pray For Me- The Weekend, Kendrick Lamar
No Love- Eminem
Run The World- Beyonce
Without You- David Guetta + Usher
Anything Could Happen- Ellie Goulding
Glamorous- Fergie
Pot Of Gold- The Game, ft Chris Brown
All Of The Lights- Kayne West
Right Above It- Lil Wayne + Drake

4. Out of all the leggings you’ve shared, which is the best for running? 

That’s so hard to narrow down…. but I’m going to have to go with the Zella Hatha Crop. I actually own them in the blush (it was an Anniversary Sale favorite last year) and grey… and just put the teal shade in my cart. Here’s why they’re great. First, you can’t beat the price. They’re not a flimsy, thin material, so they provide a ton of support. The are truly high waisted and the DO NOT fall down when you run. They stay put amazingly well. Annnd, they have a little pocket on the inside of the waistband for your keys, which is always an added bonus in my book.