Running Mistakes

Let’s face it, no one likes to admit their training flaws, but we runners are bound to make some missteps during our running journey. Lucky for you, I have made my share of mistakes throughout my running career which I openly admit and willingly share in hopes that others can avoid obstacles on their running paths. 

Here’s a little background about me. Sports have been part of my life since I donned my first pair of ice skates at the age of three. I joined my school’s cross country and track programs in seventh grade and the rest is history – running became my passion. I have run numerous Garry Bjorklund Half Marathons and have also participated in the William Irvian 5k during Grandma’s Weekend. My passion as a runner has evolved recently as I want others to experience the joys of this sport. I volunteer as a mentor with the Young Athletes Foundation summer run clubs and sport the title of coach for the cross country and track teams in the Northland. 

Now let’s dig into some of the running mistakes I’ve made!

Mistake One: Footwear

Running is unique in that it doesn’t require much equipment. Truly, the most important requirement as far as equipment goes is investing in a good pair of training shoes. These shoes should provide your foot with support and cushion to lessen the chance of injuries. It’s crazy how something as simple as foot alignment can affect other areas of our body like knees or hips or the back. Miles upon miles striding with poor alignment can detrimentally impact your training. I won’t make any recommendations regarding certain shoes or brands as every foot is different. However, I do recommend going to a running specialty store staffed with runner folks as they can provide expert advice upon watching your run or walk, and then guide you to a shoe that is best suited for you. 

Mistake Two: Running Hard on Easy Days

Generally speaking, runners are often stubborn and more often than not, will go to great lengths to ensure they get a ‘quality’ run in for the day. A common belief is the faster you run and the more miles tallied, the better the runner you become. Personally, I have fallen victim to this trap. My favorite workouts center around the ability to “speed play.” I gobble up workouts such as intervals or hills, but easy runs seem lackluster. My past mindset : easy runs are empty miles. Present perspective: easy runs provide as much benefit as a speed day to overall training. Simply, continual pushing of the pace tears down muscles among other damages. Incorporating an easy run between workouts allows time for muscles to repair and grow stronger so the next time one can push harder on a run. Depriving our bodies of a break often leads to overuse injuries, exhaustion, and even mental fatigue. Unfortunately for me, I learned the hard way the importance of an easy run as I have experienced stress fractures in my shins, feet, and even spine. Remember every mile in your training program serves a purpose! 

Mistake Three: Self-Doubt

Lastly, and the greatest hurdle for a runner is self-doubt. Whether you are consciously sabotaging your training or unaware of any harbored apprehensions, it significantly impacts performance. So much of running is mental, or how you talk to yourself before and during a run either while training or racing. I used to laugh when a coach told me we all would run better with our heads cut off. The more competitive I became, the more I saw the truth veiled in this amusing statement. For example, telling yourself that you’re going to have a bad race does not bode well as the ending results often become a self prophecy. Conversely, if you believe the race will be good, the race will mirror the sentiment. Personally, if negative thoughts crop up in my psyche, I repeat at least three positive mantras to myself. A few of my choices are: I am strong, I am fast, etc. Approach that start line with confidence, rely on the training that you have done to be in this spot, and most importantly, remember to have fun and enjoy running! 

To iterate, my running journey has encountered many bumps in the road. However, they have helped shape me into the runner and coach I am today. Making a mistake isn’t a bad thing, it’s how you learn and grow as an individual.