JUST WANT TO GET STARTED Ed Poirier, Coach Dear Coach Ed, I want to start running but don't know where to start. What should I do first - get onto a team or make sure I am ready to do cross country, or just get my time and then keep pressing my self? Like running every day and that stuff? I really want to do track and feild at my new school I'm starting next school grade, but I'm not sure what to do first. Plus I'm really, really tall. Does that matter at all when your running or does it just help you?I would appriciate an answer! Thanks! Thanks, Mary Hi Mary, Good News! If you want to start running, start running. You don't need a team although that could be a lot of fun. Really Mary all you need to do is lace up a pair of running shoes and run. If you are going to run for distance go very slow and try to stay relaxed. Start off running slow for 2 minutes, walk a little bit, then run for 2 more minutes repeat that about 5 times. That can be done first 3 days a week. You will soon find that the walking distance will become less and less and soon you will be running the whole time. If you think you may be a sprinter you can start by walking 2 minutes and running fast for 20 seconds. Repeat that 8 to 10 times. 3 days a week. These workouts will get you into great shape to start practice with your school team. About being tall? It is no factor. Tall, average height, or short, there is a place for everyone in track & field. As a matter of fact, Mary, you may want to try the high jump. The perfect event for a tall girl. The other thing you can do is run to the store, run to your friend's house, run around your house, just run whenever you feel like it. Good Luck Mary, let me know how it's going, Coach Ed Send your questions to: goodrow@infionline.net. Ed Poirier, "Coach Ed", recently was invited by the United States Olympic committee to attend a workshop and training seminar at the Olympic training center in California.