Thursday, March 5, 2009

TIaRT: Common Mistakes and Cardinal Sins of Running

Today's TIaRT is about the common mistakes we make while running.

My most common mistake, which I still consistently make, is to do too much, too fast. Cranking up the miles without being adequately prepared. I did that a year and a half ago and wound up with a scorching case of ITBS. So, I recommend, don't do that. You may have the mental stamina to grind it out, but if your body isn't ready, you'll regret it.

Another mistake, which I've learned from, is not listening to the aches and pains of running. There are some pains which you get that you just know are bad. For a new runner, the pains all seem to blend together. As you become more experienced, you can start to detect what is just muscle fatigue versus something more serious. Of course, there are days where shit just hurts. All over. Who knows what's hiding in that mess of aches and pains.

So, one mistake I still make, one I have tried to learn from. Eh, not terrible.

As far as running and I have been doing.. Tuesday I did 4 at the gym. 2 miles, a short walk & drink, 2 more miles. ITB seemed OK. Yesterday, I just didn't want to go to the gym. I thought about hitting the elliptical, and well, it just didn't happen.
Today, I'm dog tired, but I'm going to try to get outside after work. At least do a few miles. The weather looks like it's starting to break and is going to warm up over the next few days, so I'm psyched. My gym membership is up, and I don't really want to renew it at this point, since I should be outside consistently very shortly.

Keep on rockin' everyone.

8 comments:

Mel-2nd Chances said...

never been to your blog, but found ya from Runners' Lounge! great post, my lessons learned are quite similar :)

joyRuN said...

My right ITB's not too happy with me at the moment between the speedwork & hills I threw at it this week. I'm doing your mistake!

Sun Runner said...

Yes, I've learned recently, and painfully, not to ignore or "just power through" certain aches and pains. My attitude in the past has been to pretend things will heal on their own. Well, I can't do that any more. Bah.

Unknown said...

All very good advice. The tricky part is following it.

No Longer Using said...

it's such a mental sigh of relief to have nicer weather in sight!!!! way to work your way back into the running. :)

Denise said...

I make the same mistakes and have the same outcomes...if I can't listen to myself, I wonder if I can listen to you.

On a beer note...it's been a bad week at work, I'm looking forward to some chimmay this wknd. Yum!

Carly said...

Great post. I am a constant sinner doing the too much too fast. It goes to show that just because you can, doesn't mean that you always should.

Shannon said...

What I learned in 08' was stretching/strength training is so important.

Me and foamy will never depart from one another. If I don't stretch the ITB it starts yaking at me.