Things You Wish You’d Been Told When You Started
This morning I asked the following question on Twitter:
What tips do you wish you’d been given when you started running / training? #RunChat
— James Dunne (@KineticRev) June 12, 2013
Top Twitter Tips
I certainly know that my own running training has been (and is) a voyage of trial and error.
Arguably I should know better… Like many of us, I learn by doing – mostly from my mistakes!
Having been inundated with the many responses to my question, I thought I’d share a selection of tips in today’s blog post 🙂
@kineticrev Learn the subtle difference between “ow that hurts because I’m pushing myself” and impending or developing injury
— James Shuttleworth (@JAShuttleworth) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev Just bcz you can go for a long run doesn’t mean you’re prepared for it, injury risk. Build up slowly! Patience is key! #RunChat
— João Pimentel (@pimentelj) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev more drills to improve running form
— david tripp (@mdflix1) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev hip and glute strengthening exercises!
— Rachel (@Runeatrawr) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev #RunChat The junk miles add up. It’s fine to run for fun but watch how much aimless stuff you do. You pay a price #injuryrisk
— Sarb Johal (@sarb) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev posture and stretching drills
— Oldgirlrunning (@Oldgirlrunning) June 12, 2013
“@kineticrev: What tips do you wish you’d been given when you started running / training? #RunChat” don’t always wear a heart rate monitor
— dave lewis (@boltondave100) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev Don’t skimp on core work. Track sessions will make you quick.
— Christopher Panks (@Christopher_EP) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev as my physio said to me, you run to get fit but you’re not necessarily fit to run.
— Rachel (@Runeatrawr) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev Occasionally run without a watch, just RUN for the love of it,it’ll stop you burning out and remind you why you love it #RunChat
— James Shuttleworth (@JAShuttleworth) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev That nappy cream is a long run’s best friend #chaffing #ouch
— James Stewart (@james_stewart13) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev don’t get too caught up with chasing PBs and enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy it then what’s the point?
— Cat Simpson (@Cat_Simpson_) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev after building up a basic level of fitness join a local athletics/running club at earliest opportunity.Don’t fear them #runchat
— Mark Barrow (@Mark_Barrow) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev slow down & take small steps
— Barefoot Dawsy (@BarefootDawsy) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev Leave your ego at the door & don’t view rest or running slow as a weakness.
— Dave Robertson (@_daverobbo) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev Balance hard days with easy days. Well, I was told that, but no one told me just how easy! Very very easy!
— Kyle den Bak (@kdenBak) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev Lunges are your friends. No, really! #RunChat #frenemy
— Sarb Johal (@sarb) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev build up your distance and endurance slowly. There are no prizes for training quickly, only injuries
— Simon Olney (@Simon_Olney) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev once you think you’ve recovered from an injury always take an extra two days off to be safe and sure.
— knocker (@knocker73) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev Don’t run hard everyday! Train to race not the other around.. #runchat
— John Maye (@JohnPMaye) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev those guys wearing all the gear that seem to breeze past you? Stick with it and it won’t be long before your blasting past them.
— Pat John (@patjohn77) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev Get coaching on good running form before worrying about flashy footwear.
— Neil May (@neilrmay) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev never do a race in new shoes!!
— Steve Gilbert (@steviedotg) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev As you get fitter, the Hard days become harder and the easy days become easier.
— James Farren (@donendusted) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev Run at different speeds, over different distances on different days. Consistency is about doing it, not just doing the same
— Roger Lawton-Spence (@Rogs128) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev Be confident, Stop thinking, Just run.
— Ryan Snell (@smellysnelly79) June 12, 2013
@kineticrev The difference between good pain and injury pain…how much to push through it…and that I’m not super human #RunChat
— Kay Sunshine (@kay_ess2) June 12, 2013
What Advice Would You Give?
Feel free to leave your favourite tips in the comments section below…
Last updated on March 2nd, 2021.
Don’t be too scared to run more often. Just build up to it slowly. Frequency is king!
Core work works. Not just sit-ups but balance and stability work.
Running the same distances at the same paces will leave you the same runner. If you want to change, then introduce changes into your running routine. If you don’t push yourself, then you won’t move.
Don’t ignore the importance of warming up and building up slowly to your desired pace when training.
Nipguards
1- Enjoy, 2 – Strengthen glutes, core and hamstrings, 3 – Do drills regularly, 4 – Do easy runs EASY, 5 – Get flexible especially hips, 6 – Join a group/club, 7 – Run off road, 8 – Run relaxed, don’t think, 9 – Stop when injured, 10 – Warm up properly.
Would have rather slowed down and work on form/consistent miles than go fast for pointless ” look I can run really fast” points on a daily basis. And mainly on main streets in whichever towns.
– prove it race time, it’s nice to get great workouts in but what counts is on paper and the watch.
I have tried to run from time to time. Never seemed to improve, got tired straight away. After a while I quit. Tried two years later for a couple of weeks or months, same thing. Last year I spoke to a friend about this, and he asked me two questions:
1, If you see somebody ahead of you, are you then trying to outrun that person?
My answer: Yes.
He: Well, don’t. Keep your own pace. It’s not a race you know. You’ll just get tired in advance.
2, When you come to a steep hill, do you run faster than you usually do?
My answer: No, I’m not that stupid.
He: Check next time…
So I thought about it, and noticed that I in fact ran faster when I got to that steep hill. It’s appearantly a common mistake. It made me really tired of course, and my legs didn’t want to continue running after that. Now I take it pretty slow in these steep hills and have really started to enjoy running. I’m still a novice though, but not as tired as before.
1. Learn to love the cold water tap and the massage-setting on your shower. 2. Repeat after me – “I love Hills!” 3. Once you love Hills try to sprint (or at least tempo) up every one. 4. It is true – the motor you have you were probably born with. But you can tune the **** out of anything! 5. Best technique for running downhill is to relax and try to control gravity rather than your body (controlled falling).
*Last point. Humans learn how to run before we learn how to walk. Most natural thing we do!*