9 Things Runners Shouldn't Do But Probably Still Do

There are always things we shouldn't be doing, that could be hindering our training... but sometimes we don't even realise! So we've come up with the 9 main things we think runners shouldn't do, but probably still do!
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[@rodrigoluizdesouza789]

Off topic: Your training plan has kickstarted a significant change in my life about a year ago, and I'd like to share here how. Since August last year, I've been following the beginner 42 week long marathon training plan. Started it as a complete couch potato and about a month ago, I got to the 21km mark. Finished it in 2h9min. Not a medal winner time, I know, but it meant a lot to me. Especially because a year ago I was unable to WALK 1 km without feeling my legs hurting. I learned a lot with the training. I must say that I'll repeat the 21km training block of your training plan, because I don't feel ready to tackle the marthon block yet. But will get to it at some point in the future. Cheers from Brazil

[@ankitaggarwal028]

The best run run channel

[@sshy153]

Lloyd Purvis is an alright kid as well.

[@krxahfb]

I’m 8 years into running and I still struggle with comparing myself to others and sometimes being stubborn and pushing myself during injury when I shouldn’t. Thanks for reminding me I’m not alone.

[@michaelrockow5461]

Comparison is the thief of joy

[@user-og9nl5mt1b]

Just think , whoever is better then me is probably on drugs or steriods that's all .

[@claudiopiccoliromera2646]

The "running into injury" is a tricky one. There is the issue of pain level and also of where it comes from. I cut my long run short yesterday, because I started feeling some niggles around my knee ligaments; then I started to wonder whether I had been too panicky and did a leg raise, flexing the knee - oooh boy, that was the right call!

[@betterme6877]

I skipped conditioning two days ago because of minor knee discomfort. No regrets

[@dresden_slowjog]

"Niggles are injuries." Wise decision. I try. With illness/cold I'm rather paranoid- I don't want to risk a myocarditis. With niggles, I'm often not wise or patient enough to let it heal completely only to regret it later for trice as long.

[@willgd6666]

3:45, another way to think about this is don't force your body to recover from training while it is also trying to recover from illness.

[@tomrcollins76]

I’ve started using a pace plan for any run that I’m doing at “race pace” (this includes parkrun). I’m literally printing out a “negative split” pace plan showing what pace I want to run each km that day, and sticking it on my wrist. It’s been a game changer for me.

[@irawhitlock1084]

Under fueling. Think I’ve done that but have since over corrected😂

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Ha ha I’m constantly going under and over the ideal 😂

[@T1MB05L1C3]

9:00 I actually got this one right yesterday during a mountain 25k run. While I didn't PB the course (overtraining), I also didn't bonk and was able to push the last 4.5 km or so.

[@elinaq750]

10:24 I LOVE doing squads before my run! It engages my core and wakes up my glutes

[@toasterboy708]

Nowt like a good squad, lad.

[@marathonranati]

When I ever get pain... I am always in denial that it is a injury... I am running a 100km a week mileage, and I had to cut off yesterdays run... I don't know If that could of been a bad injury that prevented me running my goal plans, or meeting you guys at amazing Thailand... but I am glad I did it! because I rather miss one run than miss 6 months of running! so runners... let us listen to our body... so we can be glad of our choices! Thank you Ben and Mary! Adios!

[@LCsOO414]

Hey legends. Just finished my first marathon. Wouldn’t have done it without your channel. Thanks for everything you do

[@AislingDonohoe]

Go for a run in the glaring sun without sunscreen 😶

[@user-fv1576]

My favourite running channel ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@thomasbeasley3271]

Although comparing yourself to others can be demotivating for some. I compared myself to others in my training group and just strived to be as good as them by training hard. 2 years down the line from when I joined the group I am now one of the fastest.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Compared to and be inspired by is different in my mind 😉😊

[@ahmadjamal484]

Great timing!! Just got back from a 65 minute run and (inspired by one of your older videos, I watched last night) tried a few new things today. First 45 minutes easy run and last 29 minutes I did a fast paced workout. It’s been more than 90 minutes since I stopped running and I have a great buzz. I feel absolutely great. I have been Bing watching your older videos. Great entertainment. I have shared your videos with my daughters in the hope that they get motivated and take up running. You guys are great role models (I think I have said this before but needs to be repeated)

[@ahmadjamal484]

*.binge

[@potblack7951]

Best running advice channel ever..end of

[@TheHappiness1980]

Thank you Ben and Mary

[@peterhabel]

Brilliant input and a good reminder! Thanks

[@stevedarunner5736]

I always look forward to your videos. Good job and thank you.

[@lazzaboyman8003]

Thanks, I’m loving your content it’s really easy to incorporate into my running life and is so ‘real’.

[@ziggygonzales7273]

Learned a lot from this amazing couple.

[@rubarb1275]

Really great advice, thanks for sharing!

[@jsh2479]

As always - great advice! I promise to drop the static stretches before my run …old habits die hard - I know I shouldn’t really be doing them!

[@dianagrahl8024]

Another awesome video, thank you so much for this 👍❤

[@davidlynch9049]

Yup, all excellent suggestions. Agree with all of them. I do some static stretches for the calves and thighs after I run. Tight calves will affect your Achilles right up to your back. I sometimes do dynamic stretches as you demoed, but I mostly warm up by running slow and gradually going faster.

[@carlosmparada1]

Great video, as usual, thanks for all of your great tips.

[@markmcadams5375]

Good advice

[@martinleat8319]

Massive congratulations I was hoping for a full house but stumbled on the marathon 5k 18:42 pb 10k 39:21 pb Half 1:27 :33 pb Marathon 3:21:58 😩😩😩😩😩😩 no pb Everything going well till the dreaded 30k then the wheels came off Next year London Hopefully pace myself better

[@slowloris1847]

Great points! So many of these I have considered and applied, but they all resonate! Only two weeks ago I tried to run off a knee niggle - I made it 100m, stopped, went home, grumbled for 3 days and was back running again! Comparison is the thief of joy! My worst comparison issue, is when I compare against my younger self or even previous runs - a previous suggestion to hit the trails has (partially) broken that in me. The one I've found hardest to deal with is the pacing in a race. As I'm new to racing, I'm not quite sure what I can do at different distances, so I use my watch, but often go on how my body feels to decide what the best pace is.

[@cryptot8549]

Thank you, brilliant content, the quantity over quality is definitely an issue for me

[@jimmycburfield5997]

Helpful reflections.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Thanks dude

[@a.d1735]

​@@ThisMessyHappy any advice on specific running form teqnique, been running competively for a year now (before that i was just aimlesly running on TM for years) and feel good when i run, made some good improvements, but ive been told im too tense in my upper body when i run, also saw a video for first time of me running and, my legs just dont look good at all when im running, my knees come in and feet flick out struggle to get a nice long stride , i have a very short stride lenght😢 (HORRIBLE SIGHT), i feel that if i can get my form in shape then my times will def improve. So far i got my 5k time down from 30mins to 22mins and 10k is down fron 59mins to 46mins. Doin cross country now and we run a 4k, last year it was at 21mins and now 18min, i feel if my form improves i can shave more time off. Any help would be greatly appreciated! LOOOOVE your channel. I do some strenght work like squats and sumo squats with resistance bands and weights, also i do tempo runs and intervals inbetween my runs but dont really know what else to do. My partner just tells me to lift my legs more when i run and concentrate on it, but thats hard to do when im mid race. PLS HELP

[@rac6510]

Today is my first 21k. Running in new shoes because i’m a naughty boy

[@anathamon]

enjoy 👌

[@Ajumi-]

i've learnt something yesterday from a climbing channel, they said according to a study in which the regeneration time/effects where testet of ligaments, that only time seemed to be a factor on how "stressed" those are - so after 10min of stretchig the maximum is reached and after 6hours they are fresh again. I just try this currently with achillies tendon exercises, so at non-workout days twice a day, and at workout days i do the exercises 6hours appart from running/other workout stuff. Just thought this might be interesting for someone else, sadly i did not note down the name of the study.

[@heathenstrengthtraining3059]

I've just managed to run my 1st parkrun in over a year in 32.25 (4 mins slower than my PB), and i've signed up to run the Prestwold 10K on June 25th, So as of today, I have 20 days to find a way to double my distance. I think i have bitten off more than i can chew. Since i signed up, I've pretty much binged my way through a whole load of videos, looking for inspiration (and how to not die)

[@Julia-cl1bf]

Congrats on your parkrun!! I was just in the same situation as you are and everything turned out alright! Just as I wanted to drop out and change into the 5K category, a friend who is an experienced runner came by and told me that I should just go slow and to not compare myself to all the others. That I could quit anytime and nothing is ever that serious. You’re great for stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on these challenges! The last km killed me and I was practically walking most of it but I made it through the finish line and slept the whole day after. Good Luck, and most of all - Have Fun!!

[@annaluca29]

10k is a manageable distance even without lots of training. Good on you for researching it, but all that matters is setting an achievable goal (including allowing yourself to potentially walk a few minutes in the race if needed- this is to avoid “dying” as you mention). Are you trying to do it in under 60mins? If you get your 5k under 30mins (maybe around 27-28) then something great is to chunk the 10k into two 5ks.. but definitely just build your way up to running 6-8km before the race and then give it a good 4-5 days of taper.

[@annaluca29]

Chunking as in… in your head. Mentality is key, and believing that you CAN do it.

[@yijuntey]

Found myself guilty with many of these hahah nice video tho, keep it up!

[@ljk5708]

I can’t figure out if I need my post run snack. Except for my long runs I can easily just wait for lunch or whatever the next meal is, I don’t feel a need to eat but I do it because I think I should be

[@TwoCombs]

So are you saying ‘don’t run in high heals’? Comedy gold 🤣🤣

[@dixieharrow]

Within a training plan , where would you fit in strength training , so as not to impact your runs and how many strength sessions ?

[@sylvaindore3190]

My number 1 issue is comparing myself with others, mostly younger and faster runners. I know its wrong but i cant help it. Have to stop doing it.

[@dtrjones]

Underfuelling is an interesting one. Obviously if you want a quality session or running a resonable distance, anything over an hour then you want to be prepared propertly, but I've gone out on later afternoon runs and morning runs without any breakfast, just a glass of water and have the body feed off the fat and it's been a productive exercise, I just make sure I eat some carbs and proteins when I get back from the run.

[@skobodabaws8946]

that's me always during my runs ,I always wanna challenge d body n see how far I can go😂I hardly hit the wall during marathons bcuz of that!

[@katelynclark63]

@@skobodabaws8946 do this too! In saying this, how far into the marathon were you before you started fueling with gels etc? I’ve never taken gels and can do half marathons fasted. But haven’t delved further than 25k…so wondering about the bonking for my first marathon

[@skobodabaws8946]

@@katelynclark63 I start taking gels at 15km if I'm doing a marathon den 25km den 33km !be on the comfortable pace , but u can fuel earlier though to keep u going on the second half

[@elinaq750]

This is brilliant! What is your take on supplements like athletic greens or ag1 in addition to a healthy diet (with balance)

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Thanks so much 😊 not sure on supplements tbh. Haven’t really looked in to it as we don’t take any. Could possibly though 🤔

[@AislingDonohoe]

AG1 is essentially a glorified multivitamin with a sprinkle of greens…Buy a multivitamin and don’t waste your money would be my advice!

[@AislingDonohoe]

Also, creatine is a good idea too 👍

[@HanganuPetruAlin]

1 think that running helped me and it shouldn't is quit smoking.

[@mikew6840]

Should runners cycle? 🤔 I do both events but I have a sneaking suspicion that cycling is slowing my run times…

[@darringrey4329]

Correct there is zero VO2 max cross over many studies prove it, you will never see a tour de France cyclist go out and run why would a runner cycle, have you seen the keyans cycle? No

[@tomrcollins76]

Cycling is a great low impact substitute when you can’t run (recovering from injury), to keep your cardiac fitness up. Your heart doesn’t know that you are on a bike, so keeping your heart rate in the same zone and when you are running will have the same benefits.

[@darringrey4329]

@@tomrcollins76 no you are incorrect cycling does not increase your run fitness, unless the 90 runners involved in a blind experiment were facking it ??? Try it for your self add lots of bikeing to your run program then watch your run speed decrease this is proven , ask a triathlete if they would run faster if they stopped biking ??? Answer ??? Yes of course

[@lol-gb5vt]

@@darringrey4329 you have no sources to back that up so what you're saying currently is baseless

[@withadraco]

trying something new on race day is dumb

[@Seanonyoutube]

too many rules mate

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Suggestions, dude. Not rules.

[@Seanonyoutube]

@@ThisMessyHappy idk man. I can just share that since watching all these videos, my running has become less fun, not more so. Trying to incorporate all these rules/tips/suggestions, has exacerbated my perfectionism driven anxiety. Just a perspective as a viewer you might want to consider before making these sorts of scary “things you SHOULDN’T DO” titles. These titles get more clicks not because they are genuinely helpful, but because they trigger a worry in the mind of the viewer who thinks “oh I better click this to find out what i’m doing WRONG”. It doesn’t contribute to people’s wellbeing.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

It’s an astute observation for sure. And that is a good explanation for why more negative titled videos get more clicks. And it is always a balance. I’m never going to get it absolutely right. If I make this same video but with a different title that is more positive, then I reach/help less people. I guess what I have to rely on is that people know that the intent of any of our videos is only to help. I’m really sorry it has jaded your running experience, I truly am, but hopefully you understand that I will never win them all. I have to do what I think is reaching/helping as many as I can. I wish you luck on your journey though 😊👍🏻

[@DegenGaming]

@@Seanonyoutube Because you can't control yourself, the content is the problem? LOL grow up, kid.

[@lol-gb5vt]

@@Seanonyoutube you're definitely trolling because honestly the only time someone talks like this is to mess with an ai or if they literally have no self control/make excuses for everything.

[@HollywoodHeyson]

How all of you KZbin runners can perform in a race and at the same time film a bloody youtube video is beyond me 😂