Tips for Running Smart- Be Mindful

Many of my clients love the sport of running and are always setting new race goals.  As a former competitive runner myself, nothing pleases me more than hearing my clients smash their records.  It’s pretty typical for students to catch me up on their progress before or after FITCamp classes and for me to provide a few words of wisdom.  Today, I am reposting some words of wisdom for those of you who might find this beneficial for your training as well!

Today’s guidance is about RUNNING SMART.  Many people start their journey to becoming a faster runner JUST by training hard. i.e. logging many miles, cross-training for many hours, rolling their sore and beaten body, and then repeating. But they forget that training is about quality over quantity.  So here are a few tips to teach you how to achieve quality in your training.

1. Be aware of your body- your movement, feedback from your muscles. You need to recognize if your form is breaking down at mile 5 even if your goal was to run 10 miles.  If you’re in so much pain you can’t fix the bad form, STOP.  Tired, sloppy running = injuries.
   
2. Be ready to adapt to your environment.  When you recognize discomfort or potential for injury, adjust the way you run.  If you’ve already strengthened those muscles by cross-training, you’ll have an easier time engaging the muscles when you need them.  FITCamp is a great way to work all of the supporting cast- not just the primary muscles you use to propel your body forward.  

Most professional runners are constantly thinking about their form and maximizing efficiency when they run.  They’re not zoning out.  For us recreational runners, it’s probably enough to pluck our heads out of the clouds every once in a while to check in with our bodies and running form.  

Wishing you many more miles of happy running!