Austin is a great city to begin your running journey. Photo: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
If you're just getting into running — or feeling inspired by your fellow Austinites — here are a few tips from Nicole; our Axios San Antonio colleague Madalyn; and Kim Heather, a Fleet Feet operating partner.
⌛️ Nicole: Start slow. Begin with intervals (like a minute of jogging followed by 1–2 minutes of walking) to build endurance and prevent burnout.
Don't run too far or too fast right away. Increasing your mileage each week builds consistency and keeps you injury free.
Consider strength training as you go. Even a couple short workout sessions a week focusing on glutes and legs can help keep your form stable and reduce injury risk. It'll make you faster, too!
🎧 Madalyn: Use music to help maintain pace. Playlists in the 120–125 bpm range roughly match an easy running cadence. Just keep the volume low for spatial awareness.
And try not to get discouraged by social media or Strava posts — your progress is your own.
👟 Kim: Retire your old shoes every 300–500 miles. Fleet Feet offers free 3D-scan fittings to help you get the best match.
