Kickstart your running journey in Dundalk this January

January January January! Let's go and conquer the world we say!!! Yeah let's exercise...let's look after our eating habits.

Remember though, do it all with baby steps. Don't do too much too soon.

If you are looking to start running then do, it's the best thing ever.

I have been running since 2011. My first race was Dundalk 10km May 2011 and I have not looked back!

If looking to start running I suggest you look for an app on your phone, or simple jog for a bit and walk for a bit, or if up for it join a local running club!

Starting to run can be daunting at first. The good thing is you don't need to buy a lot to get started.

The only thing I would say is get a good pair of running shoes, brooks, ASICS, Adidas, Nike or new balance - go into a local shoe shop and get fitted up.

There are also some shops in Dublin that can do a test and give you a unique set of options (running shoes) from your running technique. Locally Brendan Reid is good.

Running shoes are the most important thing I believe. A watch or a phone (app) to track yourself too.

Also if you have a friend or family member knowledgeable about running then chat to them too for any general concerns.

If you are just getting into running, a great thing to know about is Parkrun; our local Dundalk Parkrun takes place at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) at the college football fields by the turbine.

It's 5km, which is a nice distance and you can walk or run and make some friends!

You can also join a running club, my club is North East Runners AC, which is a great club with great people. Jim Gonnelly is the main man there.

Running is great whether you want to make friends, get fit or be competitive; running has a fit for everyone!

Another great thing about running is you can travel with it. I did a race in Edinburgh, which was a half marathon. It's always on at the end of May and you can do a 5k, 10k , half marathon or Marathon. So you can get a race in and enjoy the sights too.

The amount of people you meet and stories you hear from a training run or at a race is amazing. I heard a great story last week from a great local runner Declan Toal, that I hope to tell in a couple of weeks.

Read Next: Cllr Butler urges Louth graduates to register for new constituency

I cannot tell you the joys I have got from running. Before I started running I played Gaelic, but with a team sport you may not always start on the team or you may be a substitute, but with running it's on your terms and you can always improve. And you will learn something new every day.

Also if you are in a club or a community of runners you have a great support system.

If you have an issue with your foot or runners there is no doubt someone will have been through something similar and can refer you to a physiotherapist or give you advice.

I am running a local couch to 5k, every Monday night at Finnabar industrial estate beside National Pen, everyone is welcome.
You can contact me on Facebook or Instagram on Niall Fergus or on 086 154 2192.