pa href=http://hayesjeff.typepad.com/.a/6a00e00986beda883301156f97cdb6970b-pi style=FLOAT: rightimg alt=3234145134_b8d648856a class=at-xid-6a00e00986beda883301156f97cdb6970b src=http://hayesjeff.typepad.com/.a/6a00e00986beda883301156f97cdb6970b-320wi style=MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px //a Thanks so much for bringing your friends this morning.#0160; We hope they had a great time and finally realize why you wake up so early every morning.#0160; Did they have a good time?#0160; We hope so, and we hope to see them all next month. /p pWhen people are starting boot camp, they are often concerned about their lack of running ability.#0160; They are worried about not being able to keep up with the group or becoming injured.#0160; People often think that jumping into a program like boot camp will be too much for them.#0160; /p pWe are sure you have figured out by now that all of the workouts at boot camp are scalable to different ability levels, and we hope your friends realize this too.#0160; But when it comes down to it, running is running.#0160; Whether you are a fast runner or at the back of the pack, you have to put one leg in front of the other and keep on moving.#0160; If you’re in the back now, don’t worry – you won’t stay there forever!/p pSome people are natural runners, so they may not find this post so helpful.#0160; But for the rest of us, running isn’t so easy.#0160; There is a lot that affects the way you run that doesn’t have anything to do with your legs.#0160; The way you are breathing, what you are doing with your arms, and how you are holding your hands all have an impact on your running. /p pHere are a few things to remember when a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running target=_blankrunning/a:/p p1)#0160;Keep your shoulders relaxed.#0160; If your shoulders are tense or shrugged, your whole body will follow suit.#0160; It is much easier to run when your body is relaxed.br /2)#0160;Don’t clench your fists!#0160; You may notice yourself running with closed fists.#0160; Open your hands and loosen up!br /3)#0160;Remember to breathe.#0160; Once you’re more comfortable with running you may want to try to match your breathing to your running stride, but in the beginning#0160; just try to remember to breathe.#0160; To start, try to remember to take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.#0160; /p pWhen you are running do you get a pain in your side or in your leg?#0160; You are probably experiencing a a href=http://www.active.com/women/Articles/Fit_Facts__Beat_the_Side_Stitch.htm target=_blankside stitch/a or a href=http://www.active.com/women/Articles/Fit_Facts__Eliminate_Shin_Splints.htm target=_blankshin splints/a.#0160; These are two ailments that are common with new runners./p pA side stitch occurs from tension on the ligaments that attach the diaphragm to the organs below.#0160; Shin splints are caused by an inflammation of the tendons connecting the muscle to the shin bone.#0160; Check out these articles on the side stitch and shin splints to learn more./p pThis blog seemed appropriate since so many of our Boot Campers and CrossFitters just ran the ING this past weekend.#0160; And while we know that not every one is quite up to running a Marathon or a Half Marathon, that doesn’t mean you can’t improve on the distances you do run.#0160; Whether it is the running you do at camp or a 5k around town, pay attention to how you are running and always push yourself to improve.br //p pCheck out some pictures of our ING runners a href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/btb_fitness/ target=_blankhere/a./p