Most Common Running Mistakes - 7 Things I Wish I Knew as a Beginner Runner

[@runningwithsimon]

So what do you think? Anything you've learned the hard way as you progressed into running?

[@AnOldGuy164]

I enjoyed my progress. My running was as much of my daily routine as spending time with my family, working, eating, or sleeping. During the week, 10 miles at lunch on the track a bit faster than 50 mile race pace, and 18 miles of hills after dark a bit slower than 50 mile race pace. And then 30-40 miles on Saturday and Sunday at 100K race pace. It was always fun. I always looked forward to it. I think Ted Corbitt had training right.

[@Gator35]

1. Not doing my strength and mobility work. The payoff started quicker than I thought, and I have enjoyed it more than I thought. 2. Not listening to my body, when it is CLEARLY telling me to slow down or stop, and to adapt my training, just like you said! If I WANT to do 8 miles, but my body is telling me at 6 miles I need to stop, I HAVE to listen, or I'll simply get injured. 3. Trying to restrict calories too much to lose weight - it's a fine line, but no energy to run is counterproductive.

[@runningwithsimon]

@@Gator35 Thanks - spot on - 100% agree! I might talk about day-to-day nutrition one time, but it's sooo hard to both be in calorie deficit for weight loss AND have good workout where you can really 'crank it to full volume'. Thanks for the feedback :)

[@jamesmungall6669]

It sucks getting old and having so many chronic injuries that no amount of careful training is enough to allow me to keep on running. What people like me need is advice on managing chronic injury in a way that allows us to simply carry on. Progressing into running was fine, long ago. It’s the attempt not to progress out of running that is so f@&&ing hard

[@pettypoh]

I think one "mistake" is to only run, instead of doing other exercises as well to maintain a balance. Such as gym, swim, cycle etc

[@Noraeee]

Appreciate the cameo of me absolutely passed out at badwater😅

[@runningwithsimon]

It had been a long night already! Thanks for crew/pacing!

[@kensidloski833]

Absolutely love how blunt you are and so funny too. I appreciate your comments about influencers. Don't worry about not having a fancy studio...makes you more relateable and down to earth. Keep doing what you are doing. I really got a lot out of your videos

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks! :) I should release someday all the bloopers when a motorcycle goes by!

[@L-dw5sx]

Best ultra running channel on KZbin 👍

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks! Trying my best :)

[@Gator35]

Please keep it coming as consistently as possible, Simon. Your content is just getting better and more fun, a good mix of serious and light hearted. Your interview on Run Tri Bike: Fireside Chats was awesome!

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks :) It was really fun convo with Aum and Jason! If they ever want me back (or any podcast) always happy to do it!

[@toby9999]

Thanks for the warning to not over do it. I'm not training for ultra distances, my goal is to be able to run at all. I used to love running, but that was 40 years ago. I Iet it go and I let myself go due to a busy life. Now close to retiring from fulltime work, I'm currently walking and cycling to re-gain some aerobic fitness. My current goal is to be able to run 1km without stopping.

[@runningwithsimon]

(just saw the other message - oops should read in chorological orders) You can do it! I'm about to make a video on 'how to run furhter', and for sure the key ingredient is to build up slowly, and use run/walk mix at first to build a basis. There's really no shame in that, and it helps you stay in 'zone 2' (heart rate training) which helps build a strong aerobic base. Let me know how it goes - I bet you'll manage that goal just fine :)

[@m.goedeker7381]

Toby, life happens and we change focus, thats normal. The important thing is that a fact is that you can run again and you will absolutly do the 1km without stopping.

[@homesigns]

@toby9999 Hope you're having a good year running. A year ago, I turned 60 and started running short distances. In 2024, I switched to training only in zone 2. At first, I would run a couple times a week. Now, I'm up to 25 - 30 miles per week, running five days and weight training around those runs. Road and trail running, equally. The keys are all the things Simon has said - run slow, breathe through your nose, fuel properly, get rest, and listen to your body. Do all of those consistently, and you will find running much more satisfying and liberating. Good luck!

[@kevinnarlin]

Thank Simon for being true to the sport. I followed you from the very beginning because of the raw footage of your content. Keep it up.

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks Kevin! :)

[@Kelly_Ben]

I absolutely love your channel. It's a unique combo of humor, motivation, and education. I can't wait to see what insanity you get up to in 2024!

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks! Next year? Same old, same old... (and probably cocodona 250)

[@ianwarner1429]

Well said. Taking time off is part of training properly. When I go to Florida next month is the time to train. Now enjoy our family and chill out!

[@runningwithsimon]

Totally! Enjoy time with the family! Great timing - we just arrived in Montreal to celebrate the holidays ourselves :)

[@akfilms6748]

I have stress fracture and it's already 5 months I can't run normally and probably my main problem was that I tried to do my training plan 100%. It was a mistake, but it was a lesson for me as well. During rehab I completelly changed my sleep schedule and realized how important is to give myself a proper rest. I signed up for incredible race next may called Transvulcania. I hope my next version of me will be there :)

[@runningwithsimon]

Ouch! Well good luck at Transvulcania! Canary Islands?...very nice!

[@makkiyah23]

what a good video. I've been watching your channel for the past a month and I am about to have my first 15k trail running in 2 months😂 you've been helping me a lot through your videos Simon 😭💖 thank u so much

[@runningwithsimon]

Awesome, very glad to hear these are helpful - that's my goal!

[@cpruns4501]

Great video and I love the one about rest. I always enjoy talking to these people who say they go to bed at 1AM and are up a 4AM blah blah. I love me some rest and recovery:)

[@runningwithsimon]

Right!? I'll take my sleep and recovery - and I couldn't care less if anyone felt that made me lazy. I feel no insecurity about that (unlike some of them sleeping "only 3 hours" a day)

[@TheLYagAmi]

That shot at 14:45 is absolutely awesome

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks! Zion 100 miles 2023 :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4HHh6yPmphsibM

[@anikbinashraf]

Very sensible talk my friend... 🎉

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks for that

[@-esox-3714]

Great advice, started running 1,5y ago and often did too much too soon etc. Need to re-watch this every now and then.

[@runningwithsimon]

We have to be nice to our body - real progress takes time. Of course on social media they make it look seamless, but... well.. yeah, that's not real life.

[@PatrickMartin-lw7tu]

Great video! Thanks for keeping it real. Totally agree on trusting the process. I would add a mistake is not practicing eating and drinking. Getting into the habit of fueling and hydrating in proper amounts and time frames during training, especially longer runs, is an asset. I’ve learned the hard way that not doing this, having no plan, and essentially winging it shows up in all the wrong ways on race day.

[@runningwithsimon]

That's sooo true!! Now I feel silly I didn't include it, because, yeah, totally! Food/drink/salts - if you don't know what you're doing, you'll struggle! And we often underestimate how much it's gonna ruin your day...

[@rokkvas3882]

And I started almost believe what David Googgins teach us🤷‍♂️seriouse

[@CliffordFajardo]

Thank you so much for your videos and tips! I've gotten a lot of value out of your videos and sending them to all my running friends that are getting into trail running

[@runningwithsimon]

That's awesome! Thanks for saying it - means a lot! And thanks for sharing with your friends :)

[@seedmole]

I started tracking my mileage in early 2022, pretty soon started pushing my miles up and quickly got an overuse injury in my knee. I still feel it, though it hasn't become a limiting factor, it's just a nagging pain occasionally. One thing I changed since then was that I started using trekking poles more consistently, which let me surpass the mileage that caused the overuse injury without any problems. Also been raising my pace, and doing shorter faster days as well as longer slower days. Poles would definitely be the number 1 thing I wish I appreciated sooner.

[@runningwithsimon]

Poles are very helpful! Thanks for sharing

[@thunderizyelloe]

Love the Office reference! Sneaky!!

[@runningwithsimon]

Nora and I were on a bit of The Office marathon over the holiday break. I wish I knew how to squeeze in a clip from "Dinner Party"... ... But for sure, Michael carb loading will make it someday

[@jacosteyn9031]

Appreciate the content 🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks!

[@joe1071]

This guy is great. Speaking truth! I’d like to add that most people who are claiming heroic feats, no rest, or any other garbage are typically selling something. Someone listens to their super human lifestyle and then investigates how they do it, possibly finding supplements or fitness plans the person is selling. Also, most of those influencers are on steroids of sorts for wolverine like recovery

[@runningwithsimon]

100%!!!! They are selling a product, or sometimes selling their 'personal brand' of being super human. Anyone saying "they're built different" and/or they don't need to taper or recover - such obvious red flag to me. Not that they are all guilty - but for sure some are using.. Anyhow, there's the unfortunate naive perception that if someone would be on steroid or other PED, they would be super muscular and/or that "of course he's not - he's training all the time". But Lance Amstrong isn't exactly a bulky guy. And the main reason to take PED is faster gain AND most importantly the ability to skip recovery (aka work out more often). I guess I wouldn't mind so much if they kept it to themselves - do whatever you want with your body. But don't lie to folks and get them injured from following your stupid plan...

[@ndecosson]

Your intro is awesome 👍 Thanks for the great advice. I'm a year and a bit into my running journey with two half marathons completed. Your advice here is hard learned. I tried to ramp up too quickly and ended up have to take a few weeks off. A bummer for sure. I'm now really focusing on not over reaching and trusting the process. (As much as I want to run super long distances, my base just isn't there yet...)

[@runningwithsimon]

Sometimes the fastest way to get there is to take your time!

[@morrisg5060]

I like your videos as the information you share appears sensible, practical and scientifically sound. On the other hand, I recently got into discussion with a youtube influencer who said “running slow leads to injuries.” I thought this might be the V-shred of running 😅.

[@runningwithsimon]

haha V-shred -classic! And a great reminder that there's a bunch of crap advice out there! And funny enough, they're all selling you some supplement...

[@elprofejeremy]

Great advice.

[@tommyjohn8601]

Thanks for sharing these videos. Your incite is appreciated!

[@runningwithsimon]

You're welcomed!

[@TheGlobalCoherenceProject]

Thank you! I appreciate these! Much better than the advice I got from BUA. Definitely an over trainer here. Working on that

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks :) BUA?! What's that? I never even heard of her... :P

[@AlexandreMonnier]

Are you from Quebec Simon? I lived there for 3.5 years and little things like your analysis that life is more nuanced than those simple messages felt like I was right back in Montreal! I miss actually using my brain the way I did when I lived there!

[@runningwithsimon]

I am! More specifically, I'm from Montreal - lived there until ~22 then moved to Quebec city for my master, then Europe PhD, and now US for work.

[@MaxwellSmart086]

Great content and good reminders, thank you, have subscribed!

[@runningwithsimon]

Welcome!

[@emmarunyeard6832]

Really good advice and given in a relatable way.. The things I wish I had known before my first ever utra!! Although when I say I ultra I am more 35 mile than mega distance but same rules apply I reckon to all runs over 10k sprints.. Thankyou

[@runningwithsimon]

True - it applies to anyone running long distance, not just ultras!

[@mmoesby]

I totally agree on quick fixes never is the way to do things. If it sounds to good to be true, it´s because it is to good to be true. Common sense, is always to taken into consideration - it´s ussually the only "quick fix" that works!

[@runningwithsimon]

Yup- it's the inconvenient truth that there is magic trick...

[@ryan_the_red_4907]

Another good video- subscribed

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks Ryan!! Plenty more to come :)

[@cosmicsea666]

Thank you for the tips!

[@runningwithsimon]

No problem!

[@kathleennicholas5872]

This was great thank you Simon!

[@runningwithsimon]

Glad it's helpful!

[@pawelvono]

you are great guy! thank you ✌️

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks - glad you appreciate!

[@randycruz2007]

Thanks Simon, you’re the man. 41 and just trying to convince myself to train for my first 50k

[@runningwithsimon]

Go get it!

[@JoelNads72]

Merci encore Simon pour les conseils

[@runningwithsimon]

Ca fait plaisir!

[@dawnjansenvanrensburg6541]

Great video.

[@runningwithsimon]

Much appreciated! More to come :)

[@manojsurya]

Thanks for sharing this. Whats your Strava name/link? Like to follow you over there too

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks. Here: www.strava.com/athletes/gurards

[@jasonschillinger4624]

If you are training for 100k and suggested miles per week is 55-60 miles during training, how many weeks prior to the race should you be able to perform the 55-60 miles per week training?

[@runningwithsimon]

It'd be a bit long to explain - the key is the build up to it, with end goal of at least a 3 week block and switching back to pre-race recovery. Check out this video on how I build my training blocks. Also to be clear, 55-60 is imo upper limit. You can manage with less, but that is a solid range to perform very well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX_dc5uQiLSYbZo

[@trentwilliamson4021]

Looking after injuries is sooo important. Pushing through doesn’t achieve anything.

[@runningwithsimon]

Seriously! I don't know what people are trying to prove running on a rolled ankle still swollen and purple...

[@smendoza7236]

I wonder if there are some running mistakes that involve purchasing gimmick products e.g. shoes, salves, springs etc.?

[@runningwithsimon]

haha yes totally with you! You have to have the right gear, but also, it won't be what makes you finish - training will! But some people overfocus on gear and get silly supplements, fancier than needed brand, useless gimmicks for recovery. But it's not all bad, and it's hard to say what's good and what's not sometimes. But...yeah... 100% agree with you!

[@trailsandbeers]

main things I learnt are: Go slower!! Enjoy the training. Do longer races, they are easier cut offs.

[@runningwithsimon]

That's so true about longer races. The more lenient cutoff for me makes it more relax, because I know things can go wrong but I have a buffer to make adjustment. Shorter race are a bit more stressful!

[@Harrythehun]

To know where your limits are, you sometimes need to pass them.

[@runningwithsimon]

If you push past your limits, then it wasn't your actual limits. But i get what you mean, you have to do things that seem out of reach some times, things that almost sound stupid. That's why I raced Bryce 100 miles last weekend (which made it 3x ultra in 21 days for 450 miles, 80k ft gain, 150 hours). Felt stupid but I knew deep down i could.

[@will.green.]

one mistake i think most people make is they sit at a desk or on the couch most of the day then they go out and run. this would be like only maxing out while lifting, esp if you run long distance trail. luckily my job gives me the opportunity to move around for 8-10 hours/day and walk 5-10 miles which helps keep me loose and get in the low intensity high volume workout that is opposite to running hills for 8-10 hours/week. another mistake that i see with running influencers (simon included) is they make it seem like running is about training for a race and you have to do this, and do this, and do that, and have a schedule, and you should run this pace and that pace and here and there. and if you are already a serious runner who enjoys running and are working towards an actual ultra that might be good advice. however, if you are a newbie or relatively new and you just have an idea that you want to run an ultra someday but for now you can only run a small fraction of that ultra, then these influencers are putting too much pressure on new people as well as taking all of the fun out of running. if you read this, simon, i enjoy your channel and think you have a lot of good advice. however, i think you are only talking to a part of your audience. i think it would benefit a lot of new people to remember what it was like when you first started and give them advice that works for them. from the videos (maybe 5 or 6) that ive seen, you only talk from the viewpoint of a 100 mile runner to other runners who are currently between 26.2 and 50 miles, but what about the people watching your channel that want to start or have just started? for example, these new runners need to be told to have some sort of rescue plan in place when necessary. one mistake i made when i started was to put myself in dangerous situations without telling anyone where i was or being able to contact emergency services or having the supplies to help myself in an emergency. and i believe people can do whatever they want, but if i was communicating to less experienced runners, then i would emphasize that because i dont want some person to think theyll be like me and go run 50 miles up a mountain and die esp after i was instructing them. my advice to them is to do what is fun and sustainable. they dont need the elitists, who simon claims are gatekeeping ultra running while also being one of them, to tell them if you want to be an ultra runner you have to do these 100 things that i do. no they dont. all they need to do is run. then they can figure it out and problem solve as problems arise. if you tell them all of the problems when they are new that they will eventually face, a lot of people will never even try. by time the problems arise, they will be better prepared to handle them. and if they want to challenge themselves to be an ultra runner, then they will end up doing by their own decision all of the things that you tell them to do. and we all know, that when you decide to do something, its possible. when someone else tells you that you should do something we say, "screw them, why should i do what someone else tells me to do?"

[@runningwithsimon]

A little confused as to what makes you think my tips won’t work for new runners or casual runners. And even more confused as to why you’d say I’m elitist.

[@Countrygirllivin]

David Goggins is real

[@runningwithsimon]

And so am I - what's your point?

[@henrycook6376]

Being on Strava ruins your suggestions for pace and mileage, Simon. When people are watching we tend to run faster and longer!

[@runningwithsimon]

Sorry not sure I get it. Are you saying not being on Strava helps you stick to the plan?

[@henrycook6376]

@runningwithsimon I mean Strava has a lot of peer pressure. I don't want to look slow so sometimes I don't always listen to my body.

[@runningwithsimon]

@@henrycook6376 I see thanks for explaining. Yeah peer pressure in general isn't great when it comes to making the smartest decision, totally agree with that.

[@henrycook6376]

@runningwithsimon great videos Simon! Greetings from Chicago area!

[@louiscannavino3271]

What state do you live in

[@runningwithsimon]

I'm California-based, but originally from Montreal, Canada. But we also work remotely which has been helpful racing so much.

[@ironlion805]

Was Elmo snorting coke?

[@runningwithsimon]

Either that…or it was sugar. Equally addictive I suppose

[@Oldtimenattylife]

For influencers nick bare has got to be one of the worst 😂

[@KenFernbach]

Thanks Simon, really good post and I appreciate your support and advice- I am a slow runner who is grateful to know that this is where to start if I want to keep going- and I do! This is so much more effective than the mistakes I’ve made by going faster and getting way too out of breath! You just have to trust this simple but effective process- confirmed!!The results are amazing! Stay safe 🏃‍♀️🌿🚴🏼‍♂️🧘🏼🙏

[@runningwithsimon]

You’re welcome! Slow and steady progress is the way!