5 mistakes you’re making while running

Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned runner, everyone is vulnerable to making the odd mistake. However, if you're continuously making the same mistakes, you could be sabotaging your progress and running the risk of getting injured. 

Here are 5 mistakes you could be making and how you can rectify them in order to become a faster, stronger and generally better runner. 

Skipping your weight lifting sessions 

If you’re trying to improve on your running, it is easy to be tempted to skip leg day to instead squeeze a few more miles in. 

However, this is not going to be helping you in the long run. 

Making time for strength training will help build up your endurance and speed when you’re running. Plus, it will help prevent any problems with your posture that may occur when you’re frequently running. 

Setting unrealistic goals 

We’re all for aiming high and setting goals; however, it is important that you’re realistic, so you don’t find yourself getting discouraged. 

If you have never run before, you’re probably not going to be finishing your first marathon anytime soon. 

Set achievable, short-term goals that will allow you to see the improvements you are making each week. 

Not taking a rest day 

Just as you need to be taking rest days from weight training, you also need to take time off from running. 

Not giving your muscles time to recover will slow down your progression and increase your chances of getting injured. 

Make sure you’re giving yourself enough time to recover – your body will thank you! 

Not pacing yourself

Sure, it’s nice to always be smashing your PB, but the truth is that your body is more interested in effort rather than pace. 

You could hit a PB on a cool day without as much effort as a slower run on a sunny day would take. This does not make the slower run less valuable. 

Don’t get disheartened by your pace – just do what you can that day. 

When you’re feeling pumped, it is easy to get carried away and begin your run at full speed ahead. 

Not only is this going to mean you knacker yourself out, but it also means that you’re not giving yourself the opportunity to improve your aerobic endurance, which is the key to improving your running ability.