Signed up for the Longhorn Run and don't know how to get started? Here are some tips to help you feel a bit more prepared.

1. Pace yourself

Work yourself up in increments and don’t try to run more than you can! If the most you have ever run in one go is one mile from those high school FitnessGram tests, don’t try and push yourself too hard. It’s incredibly important that you get your body accustomed to the exercise you are putting it through — especially if you have hardly any experience running.

2. Run with a buddy

Running with a friend is a great way to help you stay motivated! If you are an incredibly un-self motivated person when it comes to athletics (such as myself), having a running buddy can get you active and competitive enough to improve your mileage or times. Also, you get to make friends and be social this way — yay!!

3. Listen to music on long runs

This will help you avoid getting bored and giving up. Come up with a playlist for the distance you’re running that day and put some high tempo songs towards the end when you know your energy will be lacking. Put on some great bops and finish strong!

4. HYDRATE

I cannot even begin to explain how important this is. Even if you aren’t going for a run today, drink all the water — all of it. Hydrating will help you go the distance during a long run and allow you to avoid the awful dry-mouth grossness and all the gunk that comes with it for as long as possible.

5. Be consistent

By maintaining a set schedule, you won’t miss any of your runs and you lessen the risk of regressing. My cross-country coach once offhandedly mentioned that running is the easiest sport to get out of shape for and it stuck with me because it's so true. (You definitely feel it the next time you go for a quick run after a few cheat days...)

So there you have it! Running is a great stress reliever and the endorphins you get after you reach that runner's high can really set up your mood and outlook for the day. If you're gearing up for the Longhorn Run this April, try these out and see if you can't beat a few personal records!