Ever received some bad running advice? Runners love to share. Well-intended tips which may of shown a small benefit once don’t always translate into a catch-all silver bullet.
When it comes to bad running advice these are key ones to watch out for!
1. Go out fast in a race so you can bank time.
After a few days of carb loading and tapering, your legs might feel fantastic but resist the urge to go out fast. The longer the race, the more important it is to start conservatively. It feels so much better to pass people and finish strong in your final miles than to whoosh by slower runners at the beginning, only to slow down later in the race.
2. Get new shoes for race day.
Avoid at all costs. Save trying new kit for training and only use tried tested kit for races. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises like namely chafing, hot spots and blisters!
3. It doesn’t matter what you eat if you run lots.
Running a few miles a day doesn’t give us license to eat everything and anything. Even if you’re constantly logging miles and burning calories, eating junk won’t help your body perform at its peak and could even lead to injuries. As the phtase goes, you can’t outrun a bad diet!
4. Train through the pain.
A bit of muscle and joint soreness is to be expected, but if you’re experiencing actual pain and not enjoying it it’s time to slow down and take a rest day. Stay in tune with your body and don’t let other people get you out for a run because they want the company. You’ll only be risking more pain or injury.
5. Every run should leave you feeling exhausted.
The harder you work, the faster you’ll get. 🙂 Give your body a chance to recover and absorb the training, avoid those back-to-back hard runs. Save the hard efforts for speed workouts and races. The majority of your runs should be at a moderate or easy pace. See my post on training in the green zone – You can train like an elite athlete!
6. Running will ruin your knees.
Usually mentioned by non-runners, from well-meaning friends and family. Fortunately, it’s more of a myth than a fact. Recent studies have shown that physical activity (running included) is more beneficial than detrimental when it comes to bone and joint health!
Bad Running Advice Summary
Find your own path and look after yourself. If you feel pain or are sick there is no problem taking a rest day. Opt for low-impact cardio such as swimming or cycling. If your goal is to lose weight then pay attention to your diet, and don’t let others override what you think to suit their training.
If you got anything from this article please share and read some of my other articles which offer some guidance to find your own way:
