Throughout my running “career”/ “history” I have practiced what I would refer to as “good habits” regarding running and recovery. Now is not one of those times. I have fallen into some, what I consider to be, running bad habits. I am baring my soul (and soles) here in an attempt to break these habits.
Running Bad Habits
Not Warming up
I rush out to meet my run crew, jump out of my car and start running. No warmup ever takes place unless you count our group selfie sessions. In the wintertime, we are all so cold that we just bolt out and start running. Which leads me to my next bad habit.
Starting out too fast
So I don’t warm up before I start running and then I usually just start at what is probably too fast of a pace. Instead of negative splits on my runs, I often have positive splits. Sometimes I can catch myself doing this, other times I end up needing a walk break mid run.
Not stretching right away
While there have been times in the past that returned from a run and stretched and rolled immediately. Those times are not now. For no reason at all, I’ve gotten into the bad habit of putting off my stretching until later in the day.
Not taking rest days often enough
I used to be religious about taking rest days once a week. Lately, I have found myself doing yoga or taking walks on my rest days. Oops! I do realize I am not some super human who does not need rest days and I really have no excuse at all for this. In fact, I often find myself telling my friends that they need rest days.
So now that I have bared my soles and soul about all of my running bad habits, tell me what’s this mother runner to do? Do you have any of these same bad habits? PS-Some of the above probably explains why I am really struggling with running right now.
Linking up
Kooky Runner and Zenaida
All of the above.
Giving up when you cannot reach your goal.
Not wearing compression socks for a race when you ALWAYS do.
Too much walking the day before a race.
Not recovering after a race.
Thanks. I’ve bared my soul.
Thanks for sharing yours as well. I also make the walking the day before mistake. Oy what is wrong with all of us!?
Sometimes it’s so hard to stretch right away after a run if you have to rush to something else. As long as you stretch at some point it’s better than not stretching in my opinion.
One thing I need to work on is my form. I can get lazy if I’m tired!
My form is probably my biggest issue but I have tried to change it so many times. I have just decided that it is what it is
I have some of the same bad habits that I have to break. Although I’m getting better about stretching, I need to work on warming up before a run.
We are a work in progress!
Ugh! I pretty much make all of these mistakes, though I am pretty good about my rest days. When I rest I really rest!
Sounds like I am not the only one!
I’m finally good about foam rolling immediately after my runs, but I leave my stretching until my yoga session – not the best. Of course, this applies to when I am running… When running with friends, we usually start out a little slower to warm up, but they’ve gotten so fast that their slow is still fast for me so I don’t really warm up properly either.
I often use yoga as my stretching as well but I know it’s not the best idea for long term
I have a lot of bad running habits too! I think we get comfortable and stop thinking much about those things but I’ve definitely been working on stretching more.
Yes it sure is easy to fall into comfortable and perhaps bad habits
I definitely don’t stretch or foam roll enough. I really need to fix that!
You and me both!
I need to do a better job of warming up before an outdoor run!
I am apparently not the only one who slacks on warming up
I can totally imagine not warming up being a bad thing. I remember when I used to run track in grade school we would ALWAYS have to run 2 laps before stretching and then getting down to business!
That sounds like a much smarter plan!
I’ve been horrible about both warming up and stretching – you’re not alone!
I can see that!
It’s always hard to break a habit, but it’s great to be aware of them! Thanks for sharing
Yes I suppose it ‘s the first step
Oh, yes! Why is it so hard to take rest days? Even with my injured hip, I feel guilty about taking rest days.
We are one crazy bunch!
I am SO guilty of not warming up or stretching after, and I Tell myself to do better each time! Need to make it a routine
Same here!
My bad habit is not stretching after. EEK!
You are not alone!
I’ve recently learned the power of the rest day. So important and can give great results later.
Logically I know this! Ugh just need to take better care of myself
I think most any runner is guilty of some (or all!) of these at one point or another. I’m doing much better about stretching & rolling, but know I should be doing more of both.
You and me both!
I’m good at taking those rest days (and guilty of adding too many of them sometimes)! I’ve actually do well to warm up for a run but the last few runs I haven’t done it as much and I’ve found my knee is quite sore in the first 1-2 km. So I am quickly going to return to doing a proper warm up. I’m very poor at stretching after a race. I usually stretch after a normal run but when it’s a race I just get caught up in the excitement and find that I don’t do it even though that’s probably when I need it the most!
Well sounds like you are off to good start of developing better habits than I have
When I’m running on my one my first mile is definitely slower. I’ve gotten better at stretching post-run but still skimp on week days.
I have no excuse and I know I need to do better on all of these things
I actually think walking & Yoga are fine on rest days. As long as it’s not power Yoga & power walks. 😊
Not warming up — check most of the time. Unless I’m running inside on the treadmill.
I think stretching even later is still beneficial!
Well guilty on the yoga and power walks.I know I can do better
You pretty much covered all my bad habits. Oh, and that nightly wine…
Well there’s that too!
YES to all of these! Now that I have less time than ever I’ve found myself rushing straight from the mill to the shower and I can always feel it in my feet and legs the next day. I’ve GOT to stretch or I pay!
Oh same here but I don’t have the excuse of twins waiting for me!
I don’t stretch, ever. I’ve read a lot of conflicting research regarding stretching, and much of it says that shortly after a stretching session, the muscles go right back to where they were. That said, I do always do a proper warm up and cool down, and I sometimes do dynamic movements before a run!
Sounds like you have a great plan in place that works well for you.
I was just thinking about Sunday’s warmup. I have come to like walking or running to the start, but I’ll be staying ~ half hour away so trying to plan Uber with enough time to walk corrals but get some sleep. It’s a 6a start
Good luck reverting your habits
Sometimes walking for a few minutes is a great way to warm up and cool down. Good luck this weekend
I don’t usually warm up unless I’m doing a speed session, but I probably should do more of that! I do get the group selfies in, though! I also hardly ever stretch. I do feel like rest days are important, though. I am sure to get those in!
I could do better at all of these. Thanks for stopping by
Oh, those are all my bad habits, as well. I don’t think I have ever warmed up for a run (although I do warm up in the gym), and I’m terrible about stretching. I always promise myself I’ll be better, but…. Well… I try.
ha Don’t we all!?
Yumws! I don’t warm up nor stretch right away.
Posted too soo. My coach has me doing warm up miles before a speed workout. But I still don’t stretch after my run. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Warm up miles are probably very helpful!
I’m guilty on all counts most of the time. Also, not running slowly enough on “easy days.”
Well yes there’s that as well! What is wrong with us 🙂