I started running in May 2012 and I've already had my fair share of injuries and accidents from my running adventures.
In this article for beginners and intermediates I want to share my knowledge about running and how to avoid running injuries - after reading this article you'll understand how to run properly without hurting yourself.
I will explain how you can improve your running mindset and I'll also show you which running equipment helps you preventing running injuries.
To run properly mainly means to run responsibly. It means that you learn to listen to your body's unique signals.
Most runners get injured during their trainings, most of them because they don't listen to their bodies. Only few running accidents are really 'accidents' where other forces are involved than pride, ignorance and lack of knowledge.
Let's start with the mindset of a runner.
Of course the professional runners overdo it sometimes when they're determined to win a race. But that's their job, their passion, their purpose, their reason to breathe and live.
In the following section we'll finally talk about some of my most valuable tricks so you can learn how to run properly.
I love running, but I started when I still despised it. After watching a video about the IRONMAN contest on Hawaii I was hooked. Seeing the athletes on my monitor was reviving.
Share Your Thoughts And Ideas:
My dad has been doing marathons, and triathlons for the past 9 or 10 years or so. He started at well over 300 pounds, just after being diagnosed diabetic, and he's never quit. Although, he's traded out running for biking as his new favorite hobby, the running still finds it's way in there with the triathlons and whatnot. ;)
But yeah, my dad doing all of that told me that the only thing holding me back from doing it myself was just fear and the belief that I couldn't. When I first started, my tri coaches had me do run/walk alternations, and it started a minute each, and then two minutes running, one minute walking, then three and one and so on...and not even four weeks later I was straight up running four miles. ME! So yes, anyone really can do it, and once you start you can't stop, it really is addicting. :)
I know my coaches always encouraged me to be mindful of keeping a cadence over a pace, so if I got tired and needed to walk, it was okay. I could slow down so long as I kept the same step cadence. --Is that essentially the same thing as keeping a solid pace when running? Or was that more important because I was training for a specific race that I was competing it.
My coaches also showed me how to pick the right shoe, I over-pronate, which can lead to painful knees! So I know what to look for in a shoe! So I totally agree, a good shoe is the best starting place for any runner, it can make a huge difference. And for women, the right bra too....just throwin' that one out there!
Now-a-days I just run on my own, and aside from occasional shin splints, I sometimes get this weird injury, that so far it seems I can only help by taking a break from running-- it is always in the arch of my foot, and I don't feel it coming on, or anything, until my whole foot suddenly cramps up and then it can be really painful to walk for a few days. Would you know anything about that? I don't know what I'm doing to cause it, and I'm not sure what I could be doing to prevent it. :/
I'll keep that in mind :)K
Thank you very much for your comment!
The only right way to run is to run at your own pace, no matter how slow that might be :-D
What a great guide to running properly. I walk and bike a lot, have running (marathon) friends and once tried to keep up, it was painful the day after. I learned my lesson. There certainly is a right way and a wrong way to run. Thanks again for the heads up. :)K