25 Common Mistakes Runners Make
By: Nancy Howard,
SparkPeople Blogger
8/14/2010 10:09 AM
: 83 comments
: 21,239 Views
A few weeks ago a member of the Master Runners SparkTeam posted a thread asking his fellow SparkPeople runners what had been their biggest running mistake to date. The responses were quite interesting and varied which prompted me to take this forum to the other running SparkTeams to see what mistakes other runners have done in their training or racing that we could all learn from.
I believe that we learn more from the mistakes we make than by doing everything in life perfectly. However, by learning from other members mistakes maybe we can avoid some of the same issues others have experienced. I would like to thank all the runners who shared their mistakes. You guys are awesome.
Have you made some of the mistakes mentioned above? What mistakes have you made, not just in running, but when it comes to any exercise? What is your favorite one listed above
I believe that we learn more from the mistakes we make than by doing everything in life perfectly. However, by learning from other members mistakes maybe we can avoid some of the same issues others have experienced. I would like to thank all the runners who shared their mistakes. You guys are awesome.
- Ignoring (or being unaware of) the importance of rest. -LBTHOMASJR
- One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was donating blood the week of a half marathon! Blood donation is a wonderful thing but an awful training tool! -MBSHAZZER
- Trying to use marathon training to lose weight. Some weight will drop off but you need to eat properly to train properly. -H3HOUND
- Running on the wrong surfaces (sidewalks are hard on the legs) -JEMILLER51
- Comparing myself to other runners in a race and thinking "Oh no she didn't! That speedwalker is NOT going to beat me in this race!" I should be going at my own pace and not worrying about others. -ANNEKATHLEEN
- Thinking if I was a "real runner" I would just push a little harder. -APPLEPIEDREAMS
- Not bringing a map of the course with me and then realizing it was too late as I found myself running past a cow and wondering what happened to the trail (Grasslands Half Marathon). -MARATHONMAMATO3
- Continuing to run another 3 miles even though my thighs were rubbing together painfully. Did not look pretty and showering hurt for a week. -KVM23
- Over training/under eating - I have a habit of increasing my physical activity and forgetting I can't eat like a rabbit, then I bonk during my runs, or fall asleep at my desk - NOT good! -SHINIGAN
- Running too fast on my easy days making it hard to do my speed and tempo runs. -KVROMBAUT
- Dressing too warm on a cool day. 50 degrees and higher only requires shorts and a t-shirt, even if it feels cool starting out. -TX_RUNNER
- Not realizing my number belt made a perfect ring of "chub rub" around my waist until I got into the shower. OUCH! -GOOFY4RUNNING
- Don't put sunscreen around or above your eyes, sweat dripping in your eyes is bad enough, extremely harsh when sunscreen is mixed in.-MEL_UNRAU
- Not cross training -BETHMOM77
- On my first 5K, I picked up both my husband's and my race packet. I took the numbers out and put one on myself, handed him the other. Turns out, I mixed them up, so he had mine, I had his. It was a small local run, so no big deal, but it was funny that I placed near the top of my division (40+ women) according to the official race results. -VIRGINIAGRETA
- New running shorts- try them on a short run first. I'm long waisted and what seemed to fit in the stores started riding up and twisting when I ran. -TWINSAND3DOGS
- Not doing strength training specific to the muscles that support your knees. -JEM0622
- Getting all suited up for long winter runs - pants, jacket, fuel belt and then remembering that you need to use the bathroom! -LAB-LOVER
- Thinking at Dublin Marathon that it would warm up from 10:00 a.m. start temperature so I ran in a singlet. It got colder and rained and wife got hypothermia. - IPA-RAY
- Believing that all runners must have run track in school. Seems like the majority of runners had a case of adult onset running, sometimes brought on by birthdays ending in zeros. -MUCKITY_MUCK
- As a new runner, thinking that I could just jump into running distances because I've been working out for over 2 years--started the C25K and thought it was too easy so I just made up my own training plan...ended up with an injury to my knee. -BETRME100
- I suffer from the terrible 2's. (Am I a toddler in a "Master"'s body?) LOL
....too much, too soon, too fast, too far, too long-EDWINA172
- Not wearing shoes that had plenty of room in the toe box. After the first marathon I did I lost 9 out of 10 toenails. Fortunatley I didn't feel it while running...I feel like an expert on black toenails.-AELARLEE1
- Keeping pace with faster runners just to be social--note to self keep to your own pace you can always talk meet up after run. -FREEDOMSTAR
- Training for distance running and then suddenly deciding I was a sprinter. It was the Senior Games 2009. I did a 50 yard sprint and hurt my knee. While the doctor gave me clearance to continue distance running (he said I wouldn't make it worse by doing so), I was still running with pain for a few months. -GLADGAD
Have you made some of the mistakes mentioned above? What mistakes have you made, not just in running, but when it comes to any exercise? What is your favorite one listed above
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Comments
One that isn't mentioned is signing up, year after year, for the local 10k on Father's Day when it is invariably hot and humid. I end up struggling through it, labouring, sweaty and red-faced and don't enjoy myself. I need to stick to cool weather events when I'll be comfortable. - 9/16/2010 6:07:30 PM
1. Not cooling down appropriately after races or hard workouts.
2. Racing workouts or long runs (am running better now than I did in college by slowing down on recovery days)
3. Running in the wrong shoes (IT Band Pain)
4. Not carrying a trail map and getting really lost where 5 miles turns into 12!
5. Not believing that I needed to hydrate or use any nutritional supplement while training for the marathon. Quickly learned this was a good way to train my body for deprivation, not necessarily to run fast or recover well. - 8/23/2010 2:04:27 PM
The RIGHT SHOES is the other biggie. I need pronation control, or I'll get a stabbing pain in the outside of my left knee in mile 1, and that sticks around for at least a week. It's worth it to go to the running store and get the right shoe, instead of buying a brand name that's on sale. Those Sauconys were the worst $80 I ever spent... - 8/17/2010 7:18:34 PM
I now buy my running shoes a 1/2 size big, and fit to my heel, with extra toe space!
I also have a 'new' injury (pulled calve muscle) that I'm listening to instead of running on. Sigh. I hate injuries. They're far easier to get when over 40! - 8/16/2010 1:03:11 PM
I loved this blog, great info!
- 8/16/2010 10:26:14 AM
I suppose the worst mistake I made was thinking I could exercise after giving a pint of blood. When the nurses say DON'T EXERCISE for 24 hours. Do do as your told. I thought it would be "okay" to do the elliptical for 30 mins. What harm would that do ?
Well, I was on for maybe 5-10 mins before I thought I would pass out. I have never felt worse. Needless to say, I stopped, got my stuff and went home. These days, if I know I'm going to give blood, I always exercise before I give.
As for running, I think I made the mistake of doing too much too soon. I didn't ease into it like I should have. As a result, I ended up with the worst shin splints the first week I went running.
- 8/16/2010 10:13:37 AM
Funny how being told NOT to do something makes you want to all the more! - 8/16/2010 8:00:19 AM
My biggest promise: next year sometime, or the year after that - walk in an Arthritis Walk-a-thon in Philadelphia. I may only walk a half mile, but I WILL do it. Lots of great comments on these boards.
bobbi [flya180] - 8/15/2010 8:06:06 PM
Other problems: lacing shoes too tight (foot went numb mid-run), eating nuts or other fat-rich foods before a run (gas and terrible cramping eww), not showering immediately after a run (ITCHY), not wearing wicking socks (entire bottom of my foot peeled), tightening my shoulders during a run (ouch).
Most of these problems weren't done intentionally. New runners: expect to experience some or all of these issues eventually and familiarize yourself with the signs/symptoms. Listen to your body.
Big helpers:
- keeping a running log! A log can be as detailed or as simple as you need. But for basic functionality, record the mileage on your running shoes so you know when you need new ones.
- Body Glide or vaseline for chafing.
- reading training plans and LISTENING to advice before developing your own training program.
- cross training and strength training.
- GREAT shoes and comfortable wicking clothes. Breast support for the ladies.
- a mirror. It probably sounds weird, but try running on a treadmill in front of a mirror. You observe a lot about your carriage and running posture.
- chest strap heart rate monitor. A simple device can tell you how hard you're working the cardiovascular system; it won't tell you when you're pushing muscular endurance (during long runs), but it will tell you if you're running too fast.
Edit: almost forgot--no skimping on the stretching! - 8/15/2010 10:19:35 AM
Muckity Muck might be right. I ran and sprinted competively in school, but grew bored with it before I reached 40. I still enjoy running, but can't imagine doing for any other reason than playing with children or avoiding rain drops. - 8/15/2010 9:51:55 AM
#8 - did not apply to me. But while I was walking the Portland Marathon, less than halfway through, I observed a woman who had raw red flesh from knee to her short length. I offered vaseline and other amenities to help her, but she refused all assistance and said "I'm just fine, thank you!" Oh well, maybe next time... - 8/15/2010 1:01:32 AM
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