10 Things Beginner Runners Need to Stop Doing Now

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If you don’t do these things, you will definitely train and race better… you’re welcome!

Ignoring Pain

Let’s start with number one. Never ignore pain. If something hurts, stop. It’s a basic rule of life. Don’t try to be a hero and push through the pain. You might think you’re being tough, but you’re actually risking serious injury. It’s like trying to push a shopping cart with a wobbly wheel – it’s not going to end well.

Skipping Warm-Up and Cool-Down

Number two is another basic rule that many runners ignore. Don’t skip your warm-up or cool-down. They are part of the session, not something you can skip if you’re in a hurry. Even if it’s hotter than a jalapeno’s armpit outside, you still need to warm up. You need to get your heart rate up, your muscles warmed up, and your body ready for the workout ahead.

Never Stretch

Number three on the list is a contentious issue. Some people say stretching is a waste of time, while others swear by it. The truth is somewhere in between. You don’t need to stretch before your workout, but you do need to do some dynamic movements to get your range of movements needed for the activity you’re going to do. You also need to do some static stretches after your workout to keep your muscles from tightening up too much.

Always Expect a Personal Best

Number four is a mistake that many runners make. They always expect a personal best at every race. While it’s great to aim for a personal best, it’s not always possible. You won’t get faster in a straight line. Your progress will be stepped, and sometimes you might even regress. It’s important to understand this so you won’t get too discouraged when you don’t achieve your goal. It’s like trying to get a perfect score on a test every time – it’s just not realistic.

Starting a Race Too Fast

Number five on the list is starting a race too fast. This is a mistake that many beginner runners make. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the race and start too fast. But if you go too fast, you’ll build up lactate in your blood, and your body will struggle to get the oxygen to the muscles. You’ll end up slowing down later in the race, and your time will suffer. It’s like trying to sprint a marathon – it’s just not going to end well.

Following a Training Plan Exactly

Number six is following your training plan exactly. A training plan is a guideline, not a rigid plan. You need to be flexible and listen to your body. Be practical and make adjustments when necessary. Don’t be afraid to take a rest day if you need one. It’s like trying to follow a recipe exactly, even though you’re missing half the ingredients – it’s just not going to turn out right.

Not Getting Enough Rest

Number seven on the list is not getting enough rest. You need to get enough sleep to recover from your workouts. Aim for seven hours of sleep a night, and add an hour for each hour of training you do. You also need to take rest days and recover properly. Don’t push yourself too hard and risk injury.

Not Fueling Properly

Number eight on the list is not fueling properly. You need to eat enough to fuel your workouts and recover properly. Don’t skip meals or try to lose weight too quickly. Your body needs fuel to perform at its best. It’s like trying to drive your car on an empty gas tank – it’s just not going to get you very far.

Not Listening to Your Body

Number nine is not listening to your body. You need to pay attention to how you feel and adjust your workouts accordingly. If something hurts, stop. If you’re feeling tired, take a rest day. Don’t push yourself too hard and risk injury. It’s like trying to run with a pebble in your shoe – it’s just going to be uncomfortable.

Comparing Yourself to Others

Finally, number ten is comparing yourself to others. Don’t worry about what other runners are doing. Focus on your own progress and your own goals. Running is a personal journey, and everyone’s journey is different. It’s like trying to compare apples and oranges – they’re both fruit, but they’re different and that’s okay.

In conclusion, these are the 10 things every runner should avoid. By following these guidelines, you’ll be on your way to becoming a better runner

Summed Up: 10 Things Things Runners Should Never Do

Ignore pain: if it hurts stop
Skip your warm-up/cool down
Never stretch
Expect a Personal best/personal record at every race
Follow a training plan to the letter….. you must be flexible as we all have good days and bad days
Start off a race too fast. You should aim for negative splits
Not rest enough
Go too hard on easy days
Put off your recovery meal. Try and eat something within 30 mins of finishing training
Obsess over numbers and what other people do

Notable Quotables

If you haven’t got the extra hour to sleep, then you can’t do the training
It’s pride that makes people want to run fast when they shouldn’t
Stop stressing about getting faster in a straight line. It takes a lot of trial, error and time.
Different shoes use different muscle groups. The variety produces an all around stronger physique.