Running advice can be tricky: sometimes unsolicited guidance can come across as judgmental rather than encouraging. It’s a fine line, and should be navigated carefully. That being said, there are some bright spots in the advice I’ve received, and I’d love to share it.
Don’t Compare Your Journey To Anyone Else’s
Your running journey is yours alone. Comparison is the thief of joy, so there is no point in comparing yourself to anyone else. This has really served me well, especially on the days when running feels absolutely impossible and I am super discouraged. I just keep my chin up, and push forward, determined to enjoy my journey as mine alone.
Enjoy Your Race Experiences
While it’s great to run fast and power through a course, I have also been given the advice to enjoy the experience and the moment. This advice led to some of the best moments in running that I can imagine, and I will always adhere to this guidance.
Listen To Your Body
Much as I hate it, it is so important to listen to your body. If longevity of running is the goal, you must take the time to make sure your body is as healthy and strong as possible. I am a mess through injury, but I also learned the importance of patience and care in recovery. It can’t hurt to be a little proactive, too, by building up strength and balance the healthy times.
Get The Right Shoes
Yes, the right shoes make the biggest difference in the world to running. No matter what, get fitted at a dedicated running store. Try all the recommended models and be honest as to what feels the best. Proper running shoes help your gait and form, as well as prevent injuries, blisters, and soreness. You will never regret getting the “good” shoes, and that is running advice to live by!
What’s the best running advice you’ve ever received?
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So much good advice here! I’ve also learned how important it is not to compare your running to anyone else’s. It can be hard, especially with social media these days.
Yup. That journey is for the individual. It can be hard, but I try to remind myself we are all at such different points.
Listen to your body! I wish I were better at that, it would have prevented my Achilles injury and I would probably have noticed my stress fracture earlier!
I’m TERRIBLE at it. But, it’s something I can improve at and work on, I guess.
That is all great advice. In this day of social media “stars,” I think that remembering not to compare your own capabilities to theirs is so important. In my case, they are much younger than I am, for one thing. Plus some people just have that special talent. And they don’t all tell the whole truth. Shocker, I know. 🙂
Yes. Things are VERY filtered in many ways for public consumption. I’m pretty good at separating those things, but I would love to have some of the talent or photogenicness of some of the influencers out there.