Blindingly obvious things that you should have... - Couch to 5K

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Blindingly obvious things that you should have known but only learnt by doing them wrong.

trogdelight profile image
trogdelightGraduate
12 Replies

I am often stubborn; I think I know better.

On Saturday I knew I was dehydrated but decided to go for a run anyway and chose a hilly route and a reasonably fast pace - result: after twenty minutes pain and fatigue and a long hobble home with my tail between my legs.

Today I drank water throughout the day and was properly hydrated - result: ran for 35 minutes, finished on a sprint and came home with a big smile on my face.

Lesson learnt.

Conclusion: the people on here know what they are talking about. Don't listen to stubborn brain.

What lessons have you learnt about running the hard way?

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trogdelight profile image
trogdelight
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12 Replies
Matt88 profile image
Matt88

I did the same today. Week 2 Run 1, really struggled then realised I hadn't drunk enough before hand and was dehydrated, I didn't think about it when I went out but it was my first morning run so in future I need to make sure I have a couple of glasses of water when I wake up if I'm going to go for a morning run.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply toMatt88

No........... have several glasses of water the night before, and one when you wake up. What you drink in the preceding 24 hours has more effect on your running than anything you drink immediately beforehand, certainly for short runs up to an hour.

Matt88 profile image
Matt88 in reply toIannodaTruffe

Thanks, I'll try that for my next run :-)

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

🤣🤣🤣🤣 love it! Yep... it's all said for a reason... cause it works!

Always warm up and never, ever, ever neglect the cool down. I learnt that the hard way. I ran a 9 mile fast run from a layby near work and when I stopped got nervous about where I was parked and pretty much just left and drove the 20 mins home. I could feel my legs complaining on the drive but the worst was yet to come. I was so incredibly uncomfortable all evening, I tried stretching but it was too late. I actually had to stand up mid dinner as I couldn't figure out what was worse, sitting down or standing up. 🤣🤣🤣

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

I do remember it taking a while, and lot of shouting at from my coach, for the message “slow down to speed up” to get into my head... oh, and a couple of little injuries.

SkiMonday profile image
SkiMondayGraduate

The 10% rule! I'd just started training to power walk a half marathon. I was OK doing 6 miles but I upped my distance to 17 miles. Gave myself shin splints that took me out for 2 months.

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate in reply toSkiMonday

Oh yes, I ignored that rule too and went from running 11 miles to not being able to walk for 1.5!! Luckily for me I was only out for a week but at least I learned!!

Precentrix profile image
PrecentrixGraduate

Don't eat before running (I get the squits and have vomited once).

HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate in reply toPrecentrix

I gave this post a Like for the poetic imagery which will remain with me all day!

Oddity profile image
Oddity

The hydration thing really gets me. I try so hard to drink lots of water but I much prefer a coffee (or wine!). Still I am making a concerted effort to up my water intake and hopefully will see some benefits.

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate in reply toOddity

Try flavoured waters. I love Tesco Plum and Pear or Strawberry. No way could I get through the quantities I do in plain water.

ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate

One I learned the hard way was about giving blood. I have blood taken every few months for therapeutic reasons and I knew not to run that day or the next day. What I didn’t know was that running performance can be affected for up to three weeks afterwards, so I went for a parkrun PB in the Saturday after giving blood on Wednesday and boy that was agony (and no PB needless to say, not even nearly.) I posted at length previously about it but in brief, if you are a blood donor plan your donations so they fall after your goal race, not in the lead up to it or in the main training period before.

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