I saw this photo posted somewhere the other day and it made me smile because I can relate so well to it. I’ve made so many poor choices regarding running that I’m sometimes surprised I still do it. Some choices resulted in injury from pushing too hard at the wrong times - like the IT band and knee/hip issue last year; some resulted in issues that became ongoing, like running in cold weather without enough hand protection. My hands are now over-sensitive to the cold and 2 or 3 fingers consistently turn bleach white and get numb if they are exposed to the cold even for a short while. I’ve also had some fueling/bonking issues (not taking on enough fuel/hydration usually) and am still working that out on longer distances and hot weather. And of course my sense of direction is not the best, having now done two entire races in the wrong direction! But each one of these things provides valuable experience that helps the next time I am out. I now use hand warmers in the winter months and pay closer attention to the coloured trail blazes and landmarks in the woods (yes I still get lost every so often). I’m also trying to listen to my body’s pain points to get a better sense of a possible developing injury vs just discomfort. And I try to watch the trail floor more closely now after tripping on a root and almost impaling myself on a metal spike last summer (why is there a metal spike in the middle of a running trail??). I bring a small safety kit now too just in case. How about you? Are there any running mistakes you made that you’ve learned valuable lessons from? Maybe if we shared some of them here we can help one another avoid future potential pitfalls.
I think we are a bit out of sync here with everyone in the UK. As you ease out of lockdown, we in Toronto are getting fully shutdown for the third time. So it’s solo runs for the foreseeable future. I just got my Covid shot on Friday and felt a little off so I took Fri and Sat off running. Also was trying to give the joints a rest before Sunday’s long run, which turned out to be a good move and nothing was sore afterwards. Plus there was an Italian bakery and Cannolis! So good!
As always, if you're new here, or just browsing through the community posts, this is a great place to introduce yourself and let us know how you are doing. You’ll find plenty of support and knowledge from your fellow runners here.
Have a great week, everyone!!!
The Marathon Team xxx
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Hi Decker and the rest of you Running superheroes,
Ha ha 🤣 That’s a great sign.
No long distance gaffs to share yet as still a rookie but will wait to read all your valuable lessons. I have just moved to a zero drop Altra which is going well and found myself looking at those funny toe shoes the other day. Could be a big mistake 🤣
We’re also in a 3 day snap lockdown here in Perth, Australia which might be extended. I woke up cranky because I couldn’t do my 2 hour long run / walk today as we have a 1 hour exercise restriction. I proceeded then to get cranky at myself for my first world problem.
Thankful at least that thanks to this inspiring forum! I now think that 1 hour of exercise is just not enough ❤️🏃♀️
I hope you find some worthwhile lessons in here Willie. No need for all of us to suffer! I'd be curious to know how you get on with the Altras, I was close to buying a pair when I snagged the Speedgoats. The Achilles stretch was my only concern.
Haha - you know you are properly hooked when 1 hour just won't cut it!
The Altras are dead comfy but i didn’t wear mine on very long runs. They’re not the lightest shoes and I felt I ran flat footed in them if I got tired. So I kept them for shorter runs and walking.
That's good to know. I have a friend who loves his Altras and he does really long mileage every weekend. I wish I could remember the model he likes. They sound good for occasional rotation switches too since they are setup differently from other shoes.
ah ok - I also realized my friend Rob is also over 30 years my junior and naturally really fast, so I should not even try to assign his massive efforts to gear! 😁
I fear I may have accidentally deleted your last reply Willie, while I was trying to correct a glitch in my own reply, so I'll try here again...
Interesting that the Cliftons would feel unstable vs the Altras. I loved my Cliftons, but my most recent run shoe is the Hoka Mach 4, which I’ve already put 200k on and really enjoy. It’s also a size and a half larger than my normal size. My Cliftons are just a half size up and I think I would go larger next time around. Another lesson there I think.
Think you’ve hit the nail on the head with the sizing on the Hoka’s. I’ve moved to wearing a zero drop minimalist shoe for day to day so I think all of my normal shoes feel strange at the moment. I’ve got a thumbs width on my cliftons but I think my toes are now getting used to more freedom in my ugly clown shoes 🤣so it’s probably not the drop that’s causing them to feel more unstable.
I was thinking about moving totally across to zero drop when I’ve done my mileage on current rotation but maybe I should keep a higher drop in the mix. Mach 4 looks good! Decisions, decisions and always lessons to learn ❤️🏃♀️
Your cold hands problem sounds like Reynaud's Phenomenon nhs.uk/conditions/raynauds/ Probably not your fault, and not at all life threatening but a real nuisance 😢
This is a great post!!!! Off the top of my head I'd say that running both the Brighton and London marathons within 8 days is a regret, and of course there's the old chestnut of going too fast too soon and ending up with runner's knee, which I did before my first half marathon 😂
Have a great week, Decker and all, and ideally some more Italian bakery products!! xxx
Ha! Yes I did not say it but I did some personal research and came up with the same results. I've not seen a doctor about it yet (I don't think we can even see doctors now unless its an emergency ?) but yes it seems to align with Reynaud's. I feel that I've encouraged it though especially with the Fat Ass trail run in Nov 2019, when I slipped into the stream and lost one of my mitts both from trying to catch up after going the wrong way on the circuit
Yes I remember your London post - it was really hot that year too wasn't it? Lots of people had trouble I sort of remember. But back to back maras - wow - that's something I won't be doing any time soon (I hope?)
Oh I'll be visiting that bakery soon - the goods were amazing! And a few of us have a loose plan to visit another one soon too once things ease up a bit
Ooooh bakery 🤤 I actually resisted buying baked goods today. I couldn’t bring myself to buy that famous product while i was mooching in Bakewell I was very restrained I thought 🤐. I’m trying to get back to my fighting weight 🙂
Fantastic post. The best lessons we learn in running and life are from our mistakes. From childhood to old age we have to keep trying new things to find our boundaries rather than giving in to fear and gremlins. Unfortunately sometimes we get it wrong and as you say don’t quite interpret body messages correctly and end up with injury. This post has been a timely reminder to listen to my body. I start RED May on Saturday raising money for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland.We have just come out of a 4month lockdown today, shops, hospitality etc reopening with pretty strict guidelines on numbers attending everything but small steps are good for canny Scots. I hope your lockdown has the required affect.
It's sometimes a fine line between giving into fear and making the wise choice isn't it? Often you just don't know until you try it out! But listening to your body is a lifelong lesson - I've been deaf to most of my bodily cues until I began running. I usually try to err a bit on the side of caution just in case. Best of luck with RED and your slow reopening there in Scotland. I look forward to saying the same thing soon.
Thank you, I’ve had a great day - 7k run, 11k walk with friend then of course I had to support the local hotel on 1st day open with tea and chocolate slice, after all having done almost 30000 steps and 2600 calories I really needed that chocolate slice 😂
How frustrating that you’re still in lockdown Decker. Are you restricted in how long you can exercise each day? I hope you’re set free before too long. 🤞 It’s nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel here in the UK - but I’m counting no chickens yet! Indian variant stay away ✋ 🛑
My long runs haven’t caused me any regrettable outcomes (touching wood frantically of course), but I do watch the ground like a hawk whilst trail running. Roots, ruts, rocks and holes are everywhere and can ping up to greet us runners at any time! I wouldn’t forgive myself if I put myself out of action by being a numpty. Funny, because before I began running I was never concerned about injury to anything. It would just have been an inconvenience - now it’s so much more! 😂
I’m not sure I am BC - but thank you! I may be being slightly complacent that my little trot paces will protect me forever! I’m not sure that I’d listen to a niggle if one arose on a run. My obstinacy might prevent me from pulling up because I’d want to complete the distance I had planned. Yes, I am that stubborn! 😂
You are really sensible about pace CC; I am sure that is an important part of keeping injury free. I managed a 35 minute 5k today. Calf pain after 3 to 4k; physio booked for Friday pm!
Ohhh, calf pain for you today? Is your physio on speed dial? I really hope it’s minor. 🤞🤞
I literally thought of you just now as I kicked a little football for my grandson off the patio, wearing Crocs (I know ....), and stubbed my toe! That’s the kind of injury I get! I think I escaped anything serious today though ..... see, I’m not sensible in other ways! 🤦♀️ 😅
Thanks Cheeky, so far we are not limited in time outdoors, just no group running it seems. Oh I feel so bad for the people in India, it's just on a whole different level there.
You have always been very sensible Cheeky - I don't know how many times I've tripped up, looked around quickly to make sure no one was watching and then just carried on like nothing happened
That’s good news at least Decker. Being restricted further must be awful - yes, India is going through a horrid time. 😕
Sensible running, yes. Otherwise not always. I said to Beachcomber66 that I’d stubbed my toe kicking a football off our patio wearing Crocs today. Well tonight my big toe is agony! No bruising that I can see, so I’m pretty sure it’s not broken, but it’s got worse since it happened this afternoon. No idea what I’ve done. I’ll see how running feels tomorrow morning. See? Numpty! 😩😅
Oh no I missed that about the football today! 😮 Hope its nothing to worry about and rest tonight will help for the run tomorrow. At least scrolling through these replies you can take consolation that you are not alone in the Numpty camp. Last week I spontaneously decided to run a little with the dog and he decided we were full out racing while attached via a 6 ft leash. It was everything I could do to keep up across the park and I really thought I pulled something after that but it disappeared overnight thankfully.
I keep confessing to my runner's knee stupidity in the hope that it will somehow purge my guilt and not make me shudder every time I think about it. I ran a speed challenge and ended up with runner's knee. Simple; could happen to anyone. I worked on it, recovered and then went out and did the challenge again and guess what, the same thing happened! The faux saying of Einstein; insanity is doing exactly the same thing twice and expecting a different outcome! I hope that I am not about to do something stupid again. I stopped my not Park Run on Saturday because of calf/ peroneal pain in my right leg (it has been niggling for a while). I blitzed it yesterday with a spiky massage ball, it feels ok this morning so I am going for my Monday run. I have just built up fitness again, so don't want to start skipping runs..........stupid or reasonable "suck it and see" ? Only time will tell!
One thing is for sure BC, you’ve owned your misjudgment on those speed challenges! And what’s more you’re the model patient listening to your physio. Hopefully by now you know what’s what with your feet and legs, so know your limitations if there are any? I’m sure you’ll be fine! 🏃♂️ 😀
You sound like you are doing all the right things BC, carefully following your exercise and treatment plans for recovery. And the initial injury like you say, cold happen to anyone. Don't be too hard on yourself. You'll be back and you'll be stronger for the work you've put in here.
Thanks Decker; just a bit frustrating. I have fixed up a physio appointment for Friday. I am always the same; give me a diagnosis and recovery plan and I am ok.
If you've been reading the Bridge to 10K forum you'll have seen my abortive attempt at 20km (or maybe HM) this Saturday. I think fate (in the form of a lift bridge) may have stopped me at the point where I might have ploughed on to an injury.
I think it's weak glutes (and a desk job) causing the thigh muscles to be tight and irritating things around the knee.
A few days of rest then some short gentle jogs are coming this week.
Yes perhaps someone was looking out for you and I hope it's noting serious, just a rest might be needed to sort it. It's frustrating, especially 18k in, but you made the wise choice. Best of luck as you return.
I’ve lost track of lockdown rules in other countries but that’s not good news for you Decker ☹️ Thank goodness you can still get out to run though, even if it’s just to the Italian bakery 😋
I love that sign and yes I identify with the sentiments big time 🙄As recently as last December I said this to myself - why was I so stupid continuing to run when I hurt? Especially when I did the exact same thing the previous February. Why?
Other lessons are far too numerous to recall but here are a few that spring to mind:
- keep a really close eye on weekly mileage (for consistency more than anything else) and shoe mileage
- rotate a second pair of shoes but remember to actually take said shoes out of box and wear them 🙄
- don’t run through pain thinking it’ll get better when it doesn’t
- don’t breathe in through your mouth when you’re running and eating at the same time
- always take a big hanky on a long run. A single tissue doesn’t cut it.
- concentrate when crossing a road. I’ve had a few near misses with cars when I’ve been looking at my watch, totally my own fault and a bit scary 😱
Yes IP I do appreciate being able to still get out, and that the bakeries are still allowed to stay open!
Yes I've had that conversation too. I seem to be of two brains - one that is on mission to complete the task no matter what, and the other quieter one that is sitting back thinking "Is he nuts? How could he not think this won't end badly?" etc etc. So far I've pegged that second brain as a gremlin, but there may be some wisdom trying to seep through too. Sometimes what's needed is like that scene from Moonstruck where Cher slaps the guy saying "Snap out of it! " so you can actually slow down and listen occasionally.
Great lessons there too - I forgot about shoe wear- and rotation. One of my experienced run leaders swore by rotating shoes on a regular basis because different shoe types stress different parts of the feet and joints and so spread out the suffering a bit more.
Ha! dont breathe out OR in when food and drink is involved - made that mistake going both ways
Yes the car awareness is a big one I missed - I've almost been tagged a few times. Now I try to make full eye contact with drivers before crossing.
Fab post Decker , and sorry to hear about your lockdown. We're still locked down and under 7pm-6am curfew here for another week. Supposedly they're then going to modify things, though potentially without lifting the curfew, which is incredibly frustrating.
I'm very definitely still learning everything about running, and am particularly bad at fuelling properly and not overdoing things. I guess that's my main lesson so far - I can't always do more, faster, every time, so I'm working on accepting that. 🙃
Can't wait for things to normalize just a little, but I still understand. Hope you are not limited in outdoor time. We are not yet, and fingers crossed it stay that way.
Re: fuelling - That is so tricky because it is different for everyone and it changes as you progress. I used to need water and snack on HM runs, but now I find I don't - however it is temp relative too. Hotter temps mean more hydration and liquid fuelling like nuun or Tailwind. I am trying to pay more attention to what is actually happening to me at the longer distances now but I get distracted easily too
Re: faster faster, that was a tough one for me too. I still have trouble with it on recovery runs I need to consciously slow down especially if the sun is out and I am feeling good! Acceptance is the first step
I still make many run prep errors, mostly in my rush to get out the door. Forgetting a drink is my main one, which I make regularly. I don’t take cash out with me (often another mistake), so I can’t buy a bottle of water Doh ☺️ I ran a half marathon the other day on what’s been our warmest day of the year so far. I was parched so ran to the church to use their tap. I had no guarantee it was drinking water so really only wet my lips, cursing my stupidity 🙄
I’ve also forgotten my drink more than once. You’d think we’d learn eh? On sub 20k runs I normally leave my wallet at home but slip my Ontario Health card into my phone case just in case I need it for any medical attention. Also has photo id and address on it.
It's so true and the harsh reality is we simply can't get it right all the time, some of the time just has to be enough.
Biggest lesson for me has to be "if you don't bring it and you need it... you're stuffed, if you bring it but don't need it it's just strength training" 👍🏻🤣
I sometimes resent the size and weight of my winter pack (I do reduce in summer especially on shorter runs close to home but not long ones) but ultimately it's not that big a deal.
Strength training! Love it. That is positive thinking right there! Usually if I take something out I’ve not used in weeks, then that will be the run I needed it on 😁 (Edited a typo i just noticed)
Hello! I like that sign!! Yes I learnt my hip gets niggly at 10 miles plus and I have no excuse not to do core strength any more 😂 Sorry you're still on lockdown. We just had our pubs open yesterday here in Wales but we haven't been yet....
Ah I forgot about Strength! I ran out of excuses too! I’ve started doing more regular Strength and hills work lately and yes they are both worthwhile and valuable as more than just personal torture. 😁
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I'd be curious to know how you get on with the Altras, I was close to buying a pair when I snagged the Speedgoats. The Achilles stretch was my only concern. 
