And research backs this up: Running just six miles a week (or for about 51 minutes total just one to two times a week) delivers nearly the same risk reduction for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality that comes with longer sessions, according to the Mayo Clinic Proceedings review.

Give yourself at least three months to see progress. Usually, the first thing beginner runners want to know is exactly when running will get easier. It's different for everyone, but most people discover a turning point once they can run for about 30 minutes consecutively.

Fatigue and a lack of sleep can also mean a higher BPM than normal. Dehydration can also elevate heart rate, as can anaemia (more common in female athletes) due to the body working harder to pump blood. By identifying the issue at play, a fairly easy solution is available for each of these factors.