Is it us, or is running in the middle of a whopping boom? And not the old no-pain, no-gain, shorts-in-the-snow type, either. It's mums finding 20 minutes of peace; friends building up to a first 5K or 10K...

This index of archived articles is for all of you who are just starting out. From can't-fail motivation, to a first 5K or 10K, to choosing the ideal shoe, it's all here to tell you one thing: you can do it!

The ones marked are our very best articles, for RW (UK) magazine subscribers only (get 30% off and instant access here!) Enjoy!

If you only read one article...

You'll learn masses in your first weeks of running. Runner's World has always been here to help you avoid doing it the hard way...

The longer reads:

In The Beginning... Newcomers' tips and lifelong principles - training, nutrition, shoes and injury-beating - in words normal people can understand

Going For Goals Running over 40, covering 30 minutes, getting faster: 10 first-time running goals - and how to achieve them

Easy Does It Running isn't meant to be completely effortless, but sometimes you do get the feeling that it could be a bit less like hard work. Here are 35 tried and tested ways to make things a little easier

Beginning Running: The First Of Many Miles RW USA Editor Amby Burfoot with a friendly overview of how to get started and what to expect as a new runner

'I wish I'd known that'...:

I wish I'd known that (1): Words Of Whizz-Dom The RW staff around the world have learned a few things about running over the years. Here's a sample of their hard-won wisdom

I wish I'd known that (2): Lessons Learnt Beginner-friendly writers John Bingham and Julie Welch share the secrets they learnt the hard way

The shorter reads:

10 Do's and Don'ts Want a short and sweet guide you can remember? Here are 10 beginners' commandments - in a nutshell

The Total Beginner's Quick Guide To Running Short answers to eight most common beginner questions: how do I get started, is pain normal, and more...

Simple schedules to get you started...

Following a schedule is a great way to know you're on a tried and tested route to becoming a runner. Everyone progresses at different speeds, but trust us: you will get there.

Get-Started Schedules From nought to 30 minutes in 8 weeks

Get-Started Schedules - Midrange From nought to one hour in 8 weeks

It's Good To Walk It sounds silly, but this simple training technique can increase your endurance and calorie-burning, decrease injuries and help you to run faster

Racing!...

Racing from scratch:

Racing Basics From finding a race to planning your strategy - from the people who learnt the hard way

Race distance by race distance:

5K: Beginner's 6-week schedule This assumes you don't run at all yet. It's designed to get you round comfortably, probably with a few short walk breaks.

5K: Intermediate 6-week schedule For runners who comfortably run 30 minutes four times a week.

10K schedules Some of our best-ever 10K schedules, especially tailored to how often you run.

RW's BIG Marathon Menu Your guide to everything on this site for marathoners

Marathon: Basic Get You Round Schedules Classic 16-week marathon schedules - just for beginners

Marathon: Ultimate Get You Round Schedules The best 16-week marathon schedule you'll find anywhere

Making race day less frightening:

Your First Race How to make your first race a day to remember

The 8 Keys To A Great Race How to make race day go your way - guaranteed!

Running to lose weight

RW's BIG Weight-Loss Index Your guide to everything on this site for losing a little weight - from our best articles to our finest forum threads

Beginner questions

Each month in Runner's World magazine, our experts answer your real-life training and health questions. Here are a few of the beginner highlights:

Q+A: What speedwork should I do for my first 5K?

Q+A: I've been running a year - I can't speed up!

Q+A: How can I change? I'm 40 and a physical wreck

Over 135 more Q&As

Training basics

How fast should I run? Is running hills better than running fast? And what on earth is fartlek?

RW's Training Basics The 10 training foundations of a long running career

Simplify Your Training With These Key 3 Sessions The only three quality sessions you'll ever need, whether you're training for 5K, 10 miles or a marathon

How To Run At Your Ideal Paces Running fast too slowly and running slowly too fast - it's easy for runners to misjudge their training pace. But with the right guidance, everyone can train more effectively

Heart Rate Training - The Basics RW's short, foolproof guide to training by heart rate

RW's Best Practical Heart Rate Sessions Heart rate training is great in theory - here's a beginner-friendly guide to turning it into reality

Speedwork For Every Runner Whether you're a beginner or a old hand, we have speed sessions tailored just for you

Shoes, kit, food and injury

If you only read one of these, learn how to choose a shoe. Read them all and you can get a job at UK Athletics.

How To Choose The Right Shoe New and improved! A beginner's guide to choosing a shoe, with links to all of our reviews

Running Essentials The 10 most important products a runner can own

Nutrition Basics Is nutrition too complicated? These 10 simple commandments are guaranteed to make you healthier, fitter and faster

Escape from Injury The basic principles: how to avoid injuries on the run

The Top 10 Routes To Injury Of course you wouldn't make these classic injury-causing mistakes... but just in case, here they are

Real runners, real conversations

Enjoy the expertise of over 100,000 UK runners of all shapes, sizes and speeds! Our busy, friendly forums welcome any questions or comments, and there's even a dedicated beginner folder. Start your own thread, or read the following:

Best of the forum: beginners Hand-selected forum archive highlights, which you can bring back to life by posting a new message at the end:

• I want to run, but I have no motivation (great thread!)
• Encouragement needed after setback
• Stitch - how to beat them pt1
• Food before running
• Race pace - what to aim for in a 5K?
• Schedule - I'm all-new. Which programme should I follow?

Slow and proud: John 'The Penguin' Bingham

John Bingham writes RW's monthly 'Stories from the Slower Lane' column and has long led our most popular pacing group at the Flora London Marathon - the 'Get You Round group.

Prime Penguin If you're a slower runner looking for motivation - or anyone looking for affirmation of life - RW columnist John 'The Penguin' Bingham is your man. Here's an unputdownable collection of his monthly columns

Meet The Penguin from overweight couch potato to friendly beginner guru: John Bingham's story