Running: Anything you wish you knew then that you know now?
Is there anything you wish you would have known when you first started running that you know now? These are a few things that came to mind...
Your body will get used to the mileage, just be patient...remember you learned to crawl before you walked (well most of us did it that way)
Don't wear new clothes or shoes on a long run, it might hurt after a while, break them in first.
Learn to love Body Glide, it's your friend...really.
The right shoes are VERY important. Spend the time and money; go to a running store and have someone fit you for a running shoe.
Don't increase you mileage too fast, you will only get hurt.
When it hurts, rest it. Take a day or two off, do cross training if possible.
Drink water, water, water. It does only good things for you.
Warm up before a run...cool down (walk) after....stretch.
Eating healthier will make you a better/faster runner, honest.
What would you add to that?
Don't tie your shoes too tight... they won't fall off if they are a little looser, and you definitely won't get blisters and/or tingley feet if they are looser.
Lifting weights is super important... you need strong shoulders and neck muscles in order to do the distances.
Glucosamine is your friend.
Water, enough said.
Just because you take a day (or a week off) doesn't give you an excuse to fall off the bandwagon... sure, it will hurt your first day back, but it will be alot better than if you just keep skipping your runs.
Listen to your body... if you feel like crap, tone down the miles and/or incorporate more walking for that day, and make sure to stretch.
Be aware that on long races you can get rub marks between your legs. Either wear pants (my choice) or use body glide... there is nothing worse than rub marks halfway through a long race/workout.
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