Most new runners keep track of their weight to make sure it stays within a healthy range throughout their training. Checking your pulse is an important but often overlooked measure. Running by its very nature is a cardiovascular activity that trains your heart. Your heart’s ability to pump blood throughout your body is improved as your maintain a habit of regular exercise. As it grows stronger, it will require less beats per minute to do the same amount of work. Take your resting pulse before you start a running routine, and write that number down. Periodically, recheck your pulse and compare it to the first measurement you took. Over time, this number should go down – this is a great sign that your heart is getting stronger.
A good time to take this reading is in the morning before you get out of bed, since your body is in a resting state, and your heart rate isn't elevated from other activities. You may not see daily improvement, but check it once a week to see the progress. If you see your heart rate increase at any point, that could be a sign of overtraining. Ease off on your runs a little bit until your pulse readings fall back in line.