Larähna - Run. Connect. Inspire.

Breathing. One of the most challenging things to get comfortable with when starting out in running. One would expect this to come naturally but it's really something that takes patience and perseverance to get right. Some things to help include dropping back the pace, adopting run/walk intervals while building fitness, and did I mention patience? When I was in primary (elementary) school, I qualified for the 'all schools' athletics carnival for the 200-metre sprint. Leading up to the event, we had coaching after school led by volunteer senior high students. I remember being put through high knee and butt-kick drills, and most vividly, I remember my senior telling me how to breathe when running. It was something I had never thought of before - we just breathe, right? The girl told me that I absolutely had to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. We had to practice it in training. It was so hard, I felt like I wasn't getting enough oxygen. And I spent more...

For anyone just getting started in the sport of running, I can not stress enough the importance of not only having the right pair of shoes... But having the right pair of shoes in good repair. I've previously mentioned that I started out running in a twice handed down pair of hand-me-downs that were well past their use-by date and half a size too small for me. Thankfully (luckily) I escaped unscathed from the experience. The shoes had zero cushion left and the soles were worn completely smooth so I had to be very careful on rocky surfaces not to slip. Also, by chance, the shoes were neutral, which is great because (unbeknownst to me at the time) it just so happens that I have neutral feet! Fast forward ten years, I got back into running after quite a few years off. I was no longer a student - I had a full-time job - so I treated myself to a new pair of running shoes from the Athletes Foot. The store has a free, fancy 3D scan process to measure and assess your feet so that you can b...

Larähna - The Concept When I started running (secretly, back in school), I didn't know any runners, I didn't know where I could go for advice, and I was probably too shy to seek advice anyway.  I used to run in an ancient pair of running shoes with holes in the toes and the tread completely worn smooth. They were about half a size too small for me and were hand-me-downs from my big brother (and possibly my mum before that). I don't remember having any issues with them, but I do remember the first time I went for a wintery, rainy day run. The first icy puddle I splooshed into sent metaphorical ice shards through to the bone! But, that would have happened in fancy new shoes too. Directly before my first regional cross country meet, I ate the biggest chicken burger my school canteen had to offer, because I thought I needed the energy. Needless to say, I had a stitch in the first kilometer. I didn't have a running watch (did they even exist back then?), or running apps on m...

Hello!  I’m Mel Garcia, a runner from the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. I’m not an elite runner, a professional runner, or even a fast runner. I don’t have a six pack and you won’t see on any finish podiums. I'm not a "natural " runner either, I'm  just a consistent runner. I run every day, at least a mile (1.61 kms). I’m a mum to a very active (hyperactive?) toddler, I work a desk job and there are never enough hours in my day. I started the Larähna running community as a way to share little things I’ve learnt about running over the years and to encourage and support people new to the sport.  You don’t need anything special to start running, just a desire to do so. And the right pair of shoes. And comfortable clothing. And a supportive bra (for those who have boobs). And…. Yeah, ok you need a few things. But there are plenty of fancy things you don’t need and I’m here to share what has worked and not worked for me. My story I used to secretly run in high s...