Jogging for dummies
Director of KM Running Club Kostyantyn Bozhko shares basic advice for those willing to start jogging.
Good shoes. Some beginners are skeptical about buying special running shoes, but they shouldn’t be. Sneakers designed for running help protecting the foot, so that the runner won’t hurt his spine or joints when making intense steps during the run. That is especially important for beginners. Not knowing the right running technique, they have risk harming the spine and joints in the wrong shoes. During sales, running shoes are available at Hr 300.
Don’t overdress. In summer, some people wear sweat pants for the run, thinking that feeling heated will help them lose weight. Instead, they are risking heatstroke. To really start losing weight, one must run for at least 30 minutes without stopping, and that is not a beginners’ level. Shorts and shirt are proper for summertime. In winter, it’s not recommended to run in casual coats and warm hats. Instead, wear special underwear that keeps warm and professional wind jacket.
No running at once. If you are completely inexperienced in jogging, start with walking for up to 30 minutes. After that, go running, but for the first time it shouldn’t be longer than five minutes. Next time, add five minutes more to your running time, and keep adding more.
Take a friend with you. All running must be done in normal pace. To clarify what is your normal pace, take a friend with you, and talk to him while running. When talk gets hard, run slower or start walking.
Park of Partizan Glory
Metro Borispolskaya
Also known as Road of Health, this park on the left bank of the Dnipro River is extremely popular among runners, including professionals. Parks are considered best for running, since they have unpaved paths.
Obolon Embankment
Metro Obolon
Although it is loved by many joggers for its nice view and good location, it is not the best jogging choice. It is paved, which makes it undesirable for beginners who can’t control the way they step yet and risk pain. For experienced runners, Obolon embankment is an acceptable option.
Babiy Yar
Metro Dorogozhychi
Although the park is best known as the place of one of the World War II tragedies, its grim background doesn’t prevent it from being as normal of a park as all others. With a nice location and paths both paved and unpaved, it’s a nice play for everyday jogging. But avoid nighttime jogs. The park is not lighted well.
Botanical Gardens
Metro Universitet and metro Pecherskaya
Out of two Kyiv’s botanical gardens, professional runners recommend the one near Pecherskaya metro station. It is, they say, less crowded than its counterpart at Universitet. Also, Pechersk’s garden is hilly, which is just a challenge advanced runners are looking for.
Rusanovska Embankment
Metro Livoberezhna
This embankment at the city’s left bank is less crowded than the one at Obolon, and is another nice option for those who get their running inspiration from being close to water.
Solomenskiy Park
Solomenska Street
This resort spot is both close to the city center and not as crowded as central parks. Both facts make it an attractive jogging destination.
Druzhbi Narodov Park
Moskovskiy Avenue
Located on Trukhaniv Island between Obolon and Troyeschina, Druzhbi Narodiv park has no metro access, but is still loved by professional and amateur runners. It is one of the places where Kyiv Running Club has its training sessions.
Kyiv Post staff writer Olga Rudenko can be reached at rudenko@kyivpost.com.
