5 Training Mistakes That Can Hijack Your Running Goals (and Cause Injury)

Whether you’re a beginner just starting your running path, an experienced runner, or somewhere in between, it’s likely you’ve created goals, made race plans, and generally have intentions to improve your running. These tips will help you do it the right way to avoid training mistakes, achieve your running goals, and remain injury-free!

5 Training Mistakes that Can Hijack Your Running Goals

Whether you're a beginner or more advanced runner, plan ahead to avoid these training mistakes in order to achieve your running goals and remain injury-free. #running #runningtipsClick To Tweet

Training Mistakes #1: Too Much Too Soon

While generally speaking this training mistake in committed by beginning runners, it can also happen to runners coming back from a running hiatus or even after a recovery cycle. Enthusiasm is great, but don’t let it lure you into making the training mistake of adding mileage on too quickly.

Instead, beginning runners can start with a walk/run program, follow a couch to 5k plan, or try my 12 Week 5k Training Program. Other, more experienced runners must remember that it’s important to build a running base before starting their more intense training program.

Training Mistakes #2: Your Training is Not Specific to Your Goals

It seems like it should be obvious that 5k training is very different from marathon prep, but many runners simply add on mileage, maybe add a dash of speedwork and boom! Training plan done.

Instead, your training plan should be specific to your goals. While 5k training will require more high-intensity speed work and V02 Max training, marathon training will involve more endurance, plus pace and threshold training, and other distances a combination of these types of workouts.

Training Mistakes #3: More is Not Always (or Usually) Better

Some runners just love to run all the miles. And for some runners, especially if they’re training at an elite level, that works. For us normal people though, it does not.

Instead, follow a progressive training plan that increases mileage at a safe rate and peaks at the right time before your target race.

Training Mistakes #4: Faster is Not Always (or Usually) Better

When I first met my husband, he was the type of runner who went out and ran all of his runs as hard as he could. Yes, he was pretty fast, but I suspect if he’d kept on with that type of training he would probably not be running now.

Instead, do your high intensity running, like intervals, hill workouts, or tempo runs, just once or twice a week, and be sure to follow with a rest or easy day.

Training Mistakes #5: R & R (rest and recovery) is a Vital Part of Your Training

Sometimes runners feel that taking time off to recovery or rest will sabotage their training. They will push through their exhaustion, somehow thinking that they are making themselves stronger.

Instead, take your rest and recovery as written in your program, with special attention after a hard workout, target race, or if you’re feeling extra tired.

 

Are you finding training for your next event is a little overwhelming? That’s what running coaches are for! Your running coach can create a smart, specific training program that will help you reach your goals. I am RRCA Certified and can design a program just for you. Here is more information about Coach Debbie Runs’ coaching.

What’s the biggest training mistake that you’ve made?

 

 

 

And Now It’s Time for the Runners’ Roundup!

Linkup with the #RunnersRoundup with @DeborahBrooks14, @milebymilerun, @runningwithpugs, and me! Bring your best #runningrelated posts, find new blogs to follow, and share your love of #running! Click To Tweet

 

 

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