If you’re serious about reaching your full running potential, then you’re in the right place.

In today’s post, I’m sharing more than 100 running tips designed to help make your workout routine a complete success. Follow these practical, simple, and proven strategies, and you’ll reach your full running potential in no time.

Let’s get this ball rolling…

but first things first, let’s take a look some of the benefits running has to offer:

1. Running Helps you Lose Weight

This is the main reason I took up running, and still one of the most common reasons people start running in the first place.

Running will help lose the extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight. In fact, for a 200-pound person running can burn more than 900 calories in an hour. That’s huge.

What’s more? Research has also shown that running increases the “after burn”, or what’s known as EPOC, standing for excess post oxygen consumption, which is the number of calories you burn after a workout.

Running is also a far superior form of cardio exercise when it comes to weight loss. According to research from the Medical College of Wisconsin, people who run at a hard exertion level burned off roughly 800 calories per hour—more calories than when opting for the stationary bike, the stair climber, or the rowing machine.

But here is the little caveat. As you already know, weight loss is a numbers’ game—meaning you will only lose weight if you burn more calories than you take in.

Therefore, to lose weight while running, you need to back your exercise regime with the right diet; otherwise, your results will be limited.

2. Running Makes you Happy

Study suggests that regular exercise is an efficient form of treatment for mild-to-moderate cases of depression and anxiety. According to research, exercise—and running in particular—can help you relieve anxiety, stress, and depression, reinvigorating you from the inside out.

How does running help?

Well, according to the current scientific belief, running (and other forms of exercise) stimulates the release of good-feel brain chemicals known as endorphins, causing what’s commonly known as “runner’s high,” while reducing the release of the chemicals that exacerbate depression.

Another study published in Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise, exercise can help people cope with stress and anxiety after completing a workout session.

Therefore, if you are suffering from depression, anxiety or other emotional/mental issues, then you might need to take up running instead of relying exclusively on the pills.

3. Running Relieves Stress

As you already know, stress is blamed for all sorts of health issues, such as obesity, depression, cardiovascular disease, cancer and so on. Hence, anything you can do to tame the beast of stress is surely welcomed.

Good news is that running might just be what the doctor ordered. In fact, if you are looking to curb anxiety and reduce stress, then exercising for at least an hour is roughly three times better than sticking to the couch, according to research from the University of Georgia.

While running, your body releases mood-boosting and good-feel hormones, such as endorphins, and you increase your heart rate, which reverses damage to the brain caused by stressful experiences, according to research.

Furthermore, running can also slash your risks of developing tension headaches and migraines, according to a study.

Not only that, running will also give you the opportunity to get outside, breathe clean air, clear your mind, and feel much better about yourself.

So instead of sitting on the couch and staring aimlessly at your laptop, try taking up running.

4. Running is Good for the Joints and Bones

Of course, running is a cardiovascular exercise per excellence, but according to science, running also strengthens the bones and the joints—especially the knees.

How?

First of all, running boosts the amount of oxygenated blood that makes its way to your joints, thereby increasing oxygen delivery and toxins removal.

Furthermore, running also strengthens the ligaments surrounding the joints in ways that lower-impact exercise routines ignore, which can help you prevent joint pain.

And if you still believe in the myth of “running is bad for the knees,” then you really need to drop it and realize that current research found no link between running and arthritis.

The fact is, running might even help protect you from joint problems later on in your life, according to a famous long-term study conducted the Stanford University and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2008.

Still, if you want to err on the right side when it comes to running and knee problems and/or pain, then you need to run in the right footwear, develop proper running technique, progress gradually and remember to listen to your body the entire time—essential elements of injury free running.

5. Running Boosts Mental Faculties

Running also might help guard you against Alzheimer and other brain related troubles.

According to a study published in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, there is irrefutable evidence showing that consistent aerobic exercise helps beat age-related mental decline, especially when it comes to vital functions such as task switching, problem-solving and working memory.

In fact, according to a study published in Perceptual and Motor Skills, subjects performed 20 percent better on standard memory tests after completing a short treadmill session than they did before working out. Plus, their ability to solve complex problems also increased by 20 percent.

What’s more? Well, research has also shown that running promotes neurogenesis, the process of the growth of fresh nerve cells.

6. Running Reduces the Risks of Cancer

Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t say that running cures cancer, but according to plenty of research, hitting the pavement on a regular basis might help prevent this notorious killer.

In fact, a review of more than 170 epidemiological studies has linked regular exercise to a lower risk of certain cancer, according to the Journal of Nutrition.

According to study, even the simple activity of walking, at least, seven hours per week can help women reduce the likelihood of breast cancer by up to 14 percent than their more sedentary counterparts.

And for those who opted out for more vigorous exercise, mainly running or swimming, for about six hours a week, were able to reduce their risk by roughly 25 percent. So it’s really a game changer when it comes to cancer.

7. Running Leads to Better Sleep

Having sleep problems? Running might help.

According to research, running promotes higher quality sleep. In fact, those who run on a consistent basis in the morning showed a betterment in objective sleep, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Furthermore, research concluded that people with sleeping problems were able to improve the quality of their sleep after starting a regular exercise program, according to a study conducted at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Another study published in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity found that people reported sleeping better and feeling more energized during the day if they get at least 160 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise during the week.

So if you are the insomniac type, then the cure might lay with your running shoes, and probably not with a prescription pill.

8. Running Protects you Against Heart Disease

As you might already know, cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of sudden death in the US. The good news is taking up running is, hands down, one of the best things you can do protect you against heart diseases and reduce the risk of mortality.

According to a study published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology, regular runners have a 45 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, and running for no more than five minutes every day can slash the risk of cardiovascular disease by nearly a half.

How? There a plenty of ways that running helps cut the risk of sudden death, including boosting HDL (or what’s known as the good cholesterol) levels, increasing lung function, reducing blood pressure and enhancing blood sugar sensitivity, along with a host other cardiovascular benefits.

9. Running Adds More Years to your Life

In the longevity circles, running has always been touted as one of the best ways for elongating lifespan and living a healthier and more active life in the later years.

And there is an abundance of studies to support these claims.

In fact, according to a long-term study conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine, researchers examined the impact of running on health and found that after two decades of research, regular runners had a significantly lower mortality rate compared to non-runners with about 80 percent of runners still alive, while only 65 percent of non-runners were, after the conclusion of the study.

According to research, runners are regularly found to enjoy and experience a longer lifespan and are found to live on average three years longer than their non-runners counterparts.

So if you are serious about adding years, quality years, to your life, then you should take up running.

10. You Don’t Need to Run a Lot

As you already see, running has a lot to offer. But that’s not the whole story.

To add more icing on the cake, study after study has shown that you don’t to become an ultra distance runner and be running +100 miles per week to reap the physical and health benefits of the sport.

The fact is, hitting the pavement for no more than 50 minutes per week—the equivalent of two 5K training sessions or a 6-mile distance run—is enough to protect your body from risks of arthritis, high cholesterol, diabetes, and some cancers, leading to an improvement in a runner’s longevity by three to six years, according to a meta-analysis published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

In other words, it will only take a little bit of running per week to reap the optimal health benefits of the sport.

Better Memory Function

For starters, running may help guard you against Alzheimer and other brain-related troubles, according to a study published in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review.

Research that looked at roughly 153,000 runners and walkers for over a decade concluded that runners who logged in more than 15 miles each week were 40 percent less likely to die from Alzheimer’s.

In another study reported in Perceptual and Motor Skills, subjects improved their performance on standard memory tests by up to 20 percent following a short treadmill session, compared to pre-training tests. The subjects’ ability to solve complex problems also increased by 20 percent.

Stress Reduction

Stress has severe adverse effects on your emotional state, behavior, and body. Negative consequences include intense headaches, chest pain, muscle tension, anger issues, weight gain, sleep problems, etc.

Here’s the good news. Thanks to the endorphins release, running is a popular stress buster, and one of the reasons so many people hit the pavement. And it’s not just anecdotes. Research conducted at the Technische Universität München (TUM), and published in the Journal of Neuroscience has put the endorphin theory to closer scrutiny.

In the research, ten subjects’ brains were scanned both before and after a two-hour long distance run using a Positron Emission Tomography (PET)—and it was revealed that their prefrontal and limbic regions secreted high amounts of endorphins.

Why this matters, you might be wondering?

Endorphins, in case you never heard about them, are one of the so-called happiness hormones that are secreted by the brain’s hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

These are linked to elevated moods, and better alertness and cognitive functioning. The more endorphins released by the brain, the more significant the effect.

And apparently, running stimulates the release of these neurochemicals into the brain. A good thing if you ask me.

Mood Elevation

Research reported in Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise revealed that runners have high levels of tryptophan, a brain biochemical that helps move messages throughout the nervous system and is in charge of many functions, including the production of mood-elevating neurotransmitters known as serotonin.

People with low serotonin levels typically suffer from insomnia, anxiety, depression, and overheating issues. Classic antidepressant medication work by keeping the levels of these neurotransmitters higher and longer in the system.

Wanna know the best part? Unlike other chemical shortcuts to happiness—medication, running does not come with a comedown.

Smarter Connections

Research has revealed that exercise enhances your executive functions—or your higher level thinks skills. These include (but not limited to) mental focus, task switching, inhibitory control, etc.

As you can already tell, these skills are of the utmost importance of leading a successful life. They’re key to problem-solving, organizing, planning, and regulating behavior.

What’s more?

Running also makes you smarter as it triggers the growth of new nerve cells, neurogenesis—and blood vessels, angiogenesis. Put together, these help increase brain tissue volume, according to research conducted at the University of Maryland.

In the study, the researchers found an increase in the volume of the hippocampus—the brain region associated with learning and memory—in those who exercised regularly when compared to sedentary peers.

This may not seem as much until you realize, once again, that brain size isn’t known for increasing at any point in adulthood. We start to lose brain tissue as early as our late 20’s.

Faster Thinking

Do you want to be faster at solving problems and remembering things? Exercise might be what you need.

According to research published in the journal Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, both low-intensity aerobic running, and high-intensity sprinting can enhance your capacity to learn and recall new information and vocabulary.

This is possible thanks to the increased levels of the protein BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and the neurotransmitter catecholamine, both heavily involved in learning and brain cognitive functions, research shows.

What’s more?

Research has also revealed that older adults with plenty of aerobic exercise experience have better white matter integrity than their non-active peers.

Improved Sleep

Sleep issues affect millions of adults. Surveys reveal that roughly 50 percent of people aged 50 and older suffer from symptoms of sleep deprivation and other serious sleep disorders.

And yes, you guessed that right. Running can also help improve your sleep quality. It might even help you overcome common sleep problems.

Research backs these claims up. A study out of the Journal of Adolescent Health revealed that those who followed a regular morning running routine showed improvement in objective sleep.

A further study reported in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity revealed that subjects reported sleeping better and felt more energized during the day when getting at least 160 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise during the week.

Research has also found that regular exercise, not just running, help improve daytime alertness, regulate circadian rhythms, and faster onset of deeper sleep.

Get the Right Shoes

Shoes are the most important running equipment. Period.

A proper shoe not only makes running feel more comfortable, but also help improve your performance and ward off all sorts of injuries, including shin splints, plantar fasciitis, knee pain, and foot pain.

How do you pick the right shoes?

The golden rule is to go for a shoe that feels comfortable. That’s the conclusion of a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The right shoes have to match your natural foot shape and biomechanics.

As a rule of thumb, leave at least a thumbnail’s distance (roughly 1 cm, or ½ an inch) from the end of your longest toes (while flat on the floor) to the end of the shoe.

In other words, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes, with plenty of room to spare.

For the full guide on how to choose the right running shoes, see my post here.

Visit a Specialty Running Store

Don’t know what it takes to pick a proper pair? Head to a specialty running store dedicated specifically to running-related gear, accessories, and gadgets.

Once you’re there, have your foot type and gait analyzed by the professional staff. That’s how you’ll find out things you might not know on your own – you might be a severe overpronator or underpronator who needs trainers with a bit of more support than the typical (mostly neutral) runner. They’ll know and explain what you need.

When you go shoe shopping, treat their staff the way you would a physician. Be willing to answer all sorts of questions regarding your training goals and personal preferences. It’s worth the extra cost you’ll pay there to get a true “shoe fitting” service.

Wear the Right Clothing

Once you have the right running shoes, add on some basic running clothing and apparel.

You’ll need shirts for different seasons, preferably made of moisture-wicking technical fabrics that can help pull the sweat away from your skin and keep you dry and comfortable in the process. Some of the best fabrics include Coolmax and Dri-fit.

Special apparel costs a little bit more than casual clothing, but you’ll find that it’s worth every penny — especially if you’re serious about staying comfortable for the long haul.

You’ll need a couple of pairs of bottoms: shorts, tights, pants, or even a skirt if you find that more comfortable. And female runners need a good sports bra that both provides support and reduces the risk of chafing.

Other items to consider include (but are not limited to) running sunglasses, hats, hydration belts, sports watches, heart monitors, and more.

Here’s the full guide to cold weather running.

Opt for Smart Socks

The golden rule on running is that you should not run in cotton socks. Cotton absorbs and retains moisture, and since your feet will sweat, running in cotton will leave your feet soggy and moist. This leads to the two side effects of moisture and friction —calluses and blisters.

Instead, go for technical running socks. These wick moisture away from your feet, keeping them comfortable and relatively dry.

Smart socks are made from either a blend of natural fibers such as wool, or from synthetic fibers such as nylon, acrylic, or Coolmax. You can also try compression socks.

Have More than One Pair

According to research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, runners who rotate their shoes among various models during a 6-month period had a 40 percent lower risk of incurring a running injury than those who ran in the same pair through the same period.

If you’re serious about reducing your risk of injury, train in more than one pair.

Clean Your Shoes

If you take care of your running shoes, they’ll return the favor and take good care of your feet. They’ll also last longer.

Failure to do so will mean that your shoes will lose their cushioning properties sooner than they need to: neglect wears them out prematurely.

Here are a few shoe-cleaning rules:

Do not toss your running shoes in the washer. Wash them manually instead.

Use an old toothbrush or nail brush and mild soap — preferably an anti-grease soap. A bit of water added in will wash away stains, dirt, and mud.

Do not toss your shoes in the dryer. Dry them in the open air under direct sunlight.

Replace Your Running Shoes

Sooner or later, your trainers will wear out and lose their shock-absorption properties. That’s when you need to ditch them and get a new pair.

Here’s the bad news. As far as I know, there’s no proven formula that tells you exactly when to replace your running shoes. That’s because there are many factors that impact running shoe lifespan, including:

Running surfaces

Runner weight

Weekly mileage

Training intensity

Running biomechanics

The climate you run in

As a rough guide, a running shoe should last you between 500 and 600 miles. Once your shoes go beyond this range you’re risking discomfort and pain, as well as injury.

My best advice is to use an app like MapMyRun to keep tabs on the mileage of a specific pair, or you can do it the old-fashioned way, using pen and paper or an Excel spreadsheet.

Tie Your Shoes the Right Way

Tying their shoes is something that well-accomplished 5-year-olds can do with ease. But there are many different ways to lace trainers, and different techniques can not only make them more comfortable, but also help avoid all sorts of discomfort.

According to a study conducted at the University of Duisberg-Essen in Germany, shoe-lacing technique has a huge influence on impact force, pronation, and foot biomechanics.

In this infographic, you’ll find a lineup of top knots to learn.

Infographic source: RunRepeat.Com

Bonus tip: You can also invest in a pair of Lock Laces.

Dress For 10 Degrees Warmer Than What the Thermometer Says

Running during the winter has its challenges, but if you overdress, you’ll get in trouble.

For winter running, you need to aim for warmth, but without making yourself sweat so much that you get a chill.

That’s why I highly recommend that you dress as if it’s 10 to 15 degrees warmer than it is outside. You should feel slightly cold when you take your first few steps outside. Once you get moving you’ll warm up quite a bit, so don’t worry about feeling cold at first.

Try YakTrax

As a winter runner, you need good traction to prevent sliding and slipping — especially when road conditions are freezing and/or snowy.

One thing you can do to make sure that you stay on your feet is to try YakTrax. It’s a traction device that meets the needs of runners during wintertime. They improve control and stability when there’s snow, sleet, and ice underfoot.

Buy Running Garments On Sale

Are you a runner on a tight budget? Buy your athletic garments at the end of the season.

As with any other store, running specialty stores put sale items on clearance as the weather changes to make room for the new models and styles that are coming in.

I’ve purchased some of my favorite summer running clothes in late autumn or winter when it was too cold to run in them, and my favorite cold-weather running gear when the temperature outside was hot

There’s nothing wrong with last season’s styles. They’re generally made from the same materials, and running clothes are performance tools, not fashion statements.

For the best running shoe deals on the web, check ShoeKicker.com. It’s a great website that scours the internet looking for the best deals.

Use GPS Tracking Apps

Being able to measure your day-to-day performance is a great way to reach the next athletic level. After all, if you can’t measure, you can’t improve it.

Fortunately, advances in mobile apps mean that you can challenge yourself each time you head out the door. Running apps are perfect for beginning runners who need a little bit of a push and a way to monitor their progress, as well as for elite runners trying to stay in peak shape throughout the racing season.

That’s why, whether you’re training for your first 5K or your 11th marathon, your smartphone (or any other “smart” device) can be an excellent coach.

Here are a few of some of the best apps out there:

Runtastic

RunKeeper

Strava

MapMyRun

Edmundo

MyFitnessPal

Use a Heart Rate Monitor

Using a heart monitor is like having a coach along for every run. When used right, it can show you, down to the stride, how hard or easy you are working. It can help you find your running sweet spot and prevent overtraining or undertraining in the process.

Here are the four main heart rate training zones you need to be aware of. Plan your workouts within each zone for a well-rounded training program

Zone 1—The recovery or energy efficient zone, it’s roughly 60 to 70 percent of maximum heart rate, or MHR.

Zone 2—The aerobic heart rate zone, it’s roughly 70 to 80 percent of MHR.

Zone 3—The anaerobic zone, it’s about 80 to 90 percent of MHR.

Zone 4—The VO2Max or Red Zone, it’s approximately 90 to 99.99 percent of MHR

Protect Your Electronics

If you do a lot of running in the rain with a non-waterproof phone or GPS watch, then you need to protect your electronic devices from water damage.

Here’s how:

Store your device(s) in a lightweight zip-lock bag. The bag should to be securely sealed to prevent water from leaking in.

You can also cloak your device in plastic wrap, leaving no “skin” exposed. When wrapping, make sure that the charger port is well covered.

What I love about using plastic wrap is that it’s dense enough to protect against moisture but thin enough that you’ll still be able to use the touchscreen through the plastic.

Manage Your Keys

If all the jingling and jangling of running with keys in your pocket drives you nuts, you’re not alone. Here’s my favorite solution:

Take the key off of its keychain, unlace your shoe a notch, then slide one of your shoelaces through the key and put it on the string. Tuck the key under the other lace before retying your shoe.

To keep the key from bouncing around, tie your shoe using a double knot and secure the other end of the key under the crisscrossed laces.

This technique will give you peace of mind and allow you to enjoy your run.

If you don’t want to do this, you can put a rubber band around your keys before tossing them in your pocket, or try putting them on a shoelace and wearing them like a necklace.

Long Walks First

If you’ve been exercising regularly for the last 3 to 6 months and you’re already in good shape, you may choose to skip this step, but if you’re a real beginner, this is the most important step for building the right foundation.

Before you start running, do plenty of walks to prep your body. Start out with 30 minutes of brisk walking, then build it up to a full hour, three times a week for a full month.

By week four you should be walking for at least 60 minutes at a brisk pace three times per week. Now you’re ready to move onto a walk/run schedule.

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Walk/Run

The walk/run method is ideal for helping new trainees get fit without getting hurt. The key here is to gradually stretch your comfort zone without overextending it.

Here’s how to do it

Start with a proper warm-up of 10 minutes of walking at a brisk pace. This will get your heart rate up and the blood flowing to your muscles.

Next, jog slowly for 20 to 30 seconds. Slow it down and walk for 30 seconds to a full minute, then jog again for another 20 seconds.

Keep repeating the cycle for 15 to 20 minutes, then end your session with a 10-minute cooldown.

If everything is going well, increase your running time by 5 to 10 seconds from one session to the next. Do these increases gradually, staying within your fitness level the entire time.

Give C25K a Try

Newcomers to running or those returning to it after a long layoff should give the C25k app a try.

This handy app offers a nine-week training plan that can help you train for a 5K race (roughly 3.1 miles) in a gradual and safe manner. You only need to commit 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week.

Start on the Treadmill

The treadmill is the perfect tool for building endurance without putting too much stress on the body. It gives you full control over your speed and incline, and allows you to adjust your speed and intensity to match your fitness level.

You really can’t overtrain on the treadmill unless you’re doing so on purpose, ignoring your body’s signals of pain and discomfort.

Here’s the workout routine you need:

Warm up for 10 minutes. Start with a 10-minute walk at 1.5 to 2 mph, then jog for three minutes at a pace of 2.5 to 3 mph for next three minutes. Make sure to practice good running form.

Increase the speed to 3.5 to 4 mph and stick to this relatively fast pace for one full minute before slowing back down to a walk for another 4 minutes.

Increase your speed to 3 mph and jog for three minutes, then run for one minute, picking up your pace to 4 to 5 mph (or even faster if your fitness allows it). Back off if your body hurts or your form starts to suffer.

Finish off with a 10-minute cooldown walk.

The Talk Test

As a beginning runner, make sure that you’re running at what is known as a conversational pace. This means you should be able to speak in full sentences on-the-go without gasping for air. Want to test yourself? If you can recite the Pledge of Allegiance without too much difficulty, you’re not running too hard.

By sticking to this rule, you’ll build your aerobic endurance based on the right foundation, and this will set you up for success later on.

The only exception to this rule is when doing any sort of speed work training. Speedwork includes sprints, fartleks, hill reps, or racing. These are not moves you should concern yourself within the early stages of your training.

Run For More

After three to four weeks of using the run/walk method, start lengthening your running segments until you can run at a comfortable pace for 30 minutes straight.

Depending on your fitness level and training consistency, this may take you a while. But if you stick with it long enough, you’ll get there.

Once you can run for 30 minutes straight without much trouble, feel free to take your running to the next level. That’s when you’re going to start seeing some amazing results.

Once you’ve increased your running time to an hour or more, you will be in good enough shape that you’ll be able to sign up for 5k races, do interval or hill training, and much more.

Avoid The Rueful Toos

Runners who do too much too soon without giving their body enough time to adapt to their new training load will eventually run into trouble. It’s one of the most common mistakes beginners make.

Don’t fall into the trap of “too much, too soon, too often, too fast, with too little rest.” Instead, build a solid base of easy, short, aerobic distances before you up the ante with speed, distance or hill training.

Even if you feel like you can do more during the first few months of training, rein that temptation in. The temporary sense of accomplishment you might get is not worth the risk of a painful injury or a burnout.

Dynamic Warm-up

A good warm-up is the backbone of effective training, especially when doing hard, intense runs such as interval sessions or hill runs.

Warming up the right way can improve your performance as well as reduce the risk of injury.

Here’s a simple routine you can try.

Do at least ten reps of each exercise below for two to three rounds.

High kicks

Lunge with a twist

Inchworms

Hip stretch with a twist

Butt kicks

Or check my full routine here.

Cool Down Right

The cooldown is just as vital to your performance and fitness as the warm-up.

A proper cool down can help transition blood from the working muscles to the normal resting flow, but when you stop on the spot, blood can start to pool in the legs and feet, leading to dizziness, vertigo, and discomfort in some people.

Here’s how to cool down properly. Jog or walk for at least 5 to 10 minutes (depending on your training intensity). Then do some post-run strength, mobility, and stretching exercises.

Stretch After Your Runs

The benefits of stretching are a hotly debated topic in both the scientific and running world, but I still recommend stretching as a way of preventing injury and improving performance.

Here a few benefits of stretching:

Improves muscular coordination

Reduces lower back pain

Enhances posture

Alleviates post-run soreness

Increases range of motion

Whatever you do, don’t stretch before a run like we used to do in high school gym class. Studies show that static stretching before a workout can compromise performance and may lead to injury (think muscle tears).

Aim to stretch for at least 10 to 20 minutes after a workout, focusing on the main running muscle groups including the hips, the glutes, the hamstrings, the quads, and the calves.

Hold each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds, and breathe deeply into your stretch to release any tension or discomfort.

Learn Lexicology

As you get more into running, sooner or later you’re going to run into some technical jargon. As is true in most sports, running has its own verbiage that you need to get good at if you’re going to be serious about calling yourself a runner.

In other words, you have to talk the talk.

Here is my full list of running jargon, where you’ll find more than 160 definitions of most common running terms.

Have a Plan

“If you fail to plan, then you’re planning to fail.”

That quote might sound like a cliche, but that does not make it any less true, especially when it comes to running. Following a training plan will help you remove the guesswork from your workout routine.

Pick a training plan. You can find an array of intricate plans online, with something for everyone. All in all, the best plan is a well-rounded plan, whether you’re a recreational runner doing it for health and fitness or an elite marathoner hoping to optimize your performance.

Include the following five elements in your training program:

Interval workouts

Tempo runs

Hills runs

Long runs (or LSDs)

Easy run (for recovery).

Add a Long Run

Longs runs are vital for training. They increase stamina, build proper form, burn mad calories and will get you in tip-top running shape for any race or distance. And adding long runs into a running plan is not that complicated.

After at least six months of regular training, increase your longest running session—typically, your weekend workout—by up to 10 percent from one week to the next. Keep doing this until you’re running for two and a half to three hours.

Do your long runs at approximately 60 to 70 percent of your 5K pace—that should be a comfortable pace. To make sure you’re doing LSD runs right, do a quick talk test whenever you feel you might be working too hard.

Speed Work

Whether you’re looking to outpace your running buddy or aiming to beat your current PB at a given distance, speedwork is the way to go. It can also increase your range of motion, improve your conditioning, burn mad calories and build muscle mass, all of which can make you a stronger and fitter runner.

Here are the main speedwork sessions you need to add to your training schedule:

Classic 200m sprints

Tabata sprints

400m laps around a track

Short and medium hill sprints

Fartlek sprints

As a rule, aim for quality over quantity. Speedwork should account for no more than 20 percent of your weekly total mileage.

Sprint

Long sessions have their benefits, but to take your running to the next level, sprinting is of the utmost importance.

A form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), sprinting can help you burn three times more calories than steady-state running. According to studies, it also boosts your metabolism and helps develop killer lower body strength and speed.

What I really like about sprinting is that it takes just half an hour to complete an entire session. What’s not to love?

Here’s how to proceed:

Start with a proper warm-up. Do five minutes of slow jogging followed by dynamic movements such as knee circles, inchworms, lateral lunges and walking lunges.

Then go for your first sprint, running at 70 percent of your top speed for 30 seconds. Take a minute to recover and then do it again, running your next sprint at 80 percent of your max effort.

Shoot for eight to ten sprints, then finish off the workout with a decent cooldown. Jog slowly for five minutes, then stretch your whole lower body.

Tempo Run

Also known as lactate threshold, LT, or threshold runs, tempo workouts are faster-paced runs that are vital for boosting metabolic fitness.

The primary purpose for tempo runs is to increase your lactate threshold level, the point at which the body fatigues at a certain pace.

As a general rule, your tempo workouts should feel comfortably hard. A good example is a comfortably hard and sustained 3- to 4-mile run.

Here’s how to proceed:

For a five-mile tempo workout, start by warming up with a 5-minute slow jog, then run a mile at 20 seconds slower than your half-marathon pace.

For the remainder of the workout, pick up the pace every mile by five to 10 seconds until you’re running the final mile 20 seconds faster than your half marathon pace.

Tackle the Hills

Hills build leg strength, boost lung capacity, improve running form and reduce the rate of injury. For these reasons and more, do not avoid hill workouts, but make sure you train using proper form. Your uphill running should mimic your sprinting form.

Here’s how:

Run tall, with your core engaged and your back flat. Do not lean forward.

Engage your hamstrings, quads, and glutes on the way up. Make sure to push from the hip while engaging your entire lower body to get up the hill.

Feel free to walk on the steepest sections of any given hill.

Train Negative

If you want to improve your running speed/time, practice negative splitting. This means running the second half of your session a bit faster than the first.

In the ideal negative split run, once you reach the midpoint of the workout each mile gets increasingly faster than the last. As long as you finish the last mile faster than the first, you’re in a good place.

Here’s an example of a 4-mile session:

After a thorough warm-up, run your first two miles at an easy and controlled pace—shoot for 15 to 30 seconds slower than your average pace for that distance. Once you’ve reached the midpoint, pick up your speed to a 10K or 5K pace, then switch to maximum speed for the last 100 to 200 feet of your run.

Try Fartleks

Fartlek is a Swedish term that means speed play. It’s a non-structured form of interval training developed in the early 1930s.

The primary purpose of a fartlek workout is to increase your speed and endurance in the most unpredictable and playful way possible.

Here’s how to proceed:

Start your workout with a 10-minute warm-up jog, then sight an object in the distance: it can be a tree, a parked car, or a building. Run towards it fast. Once you reach it, slow down and recover. Sight the next object and repeat.

Whatever you do, make it random. Make it fun.

Try Tabata Protocol Runs

Made famous by a 1996 study by Dr. Izumi Tabata and his colleagues, the Tabata protocol is a very specific method of interval training proven to shed body fat and increase performance.

A session consists of twenty seconds of maximum burst (max effort/max reps) followed by ten seconds of recovery.

To do Tabata, sprint for 20 seconds at full speed, then rest for 10 seconds.

You can also up the ante by adding in some bodyweight exercises to make the workout more challenging.

Here’s a simple Tabata protocol to try.

Set 1: Sprint at a moderate pace for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds.

Sprint at a moderate pace for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Set 2: Do as many push-ups as possible in 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds.

Do as many push-ups as possible in 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Set 3: Sprint for another 20 seconds at max speed. Rest for 10 seconds.

Sprint for another 20 seconds at max speed. Rest for 10 seconds. Set 4: Do as many squats as possible in 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds.

Do as many squats as possible in 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Set 5: Sprint as fast as you can for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds.

Rest for two minutes and repeat the whole circuit twice.

Cross Train

Cross training is vital for runners because it can help prevent overuse injuries such as runner’s knee, ITBS, shin splints, and stress fractures, as well as lower back issues, hip, joint and knee pain.

Cross training can also boost your speed, increase your stride length, improve your running form and boost your overall fitness and health level.

Here are eight super-effective training methods to try:

Yoga

Cycling

Weight training

CrossFit

Swimming

Jumping rope

Rowing

Get Explosive

Plyometric training, also known as explosive or jump training, is another excellent cross-training method that research shows can increase running speed and power.

This type of training requires a fast and forceful recruitment of muscles fibers through high velocity, dynamic moves. These are key for building explosive power both on and off the running field.

Here’s a list of some of the best explosive exercises for runners:

Squat jumps

Box jumps

Kettlebell swings

Burpees

Here’s my full guide to plyometric training.

Practice Planking

The core is made up of the muscles that connect the upper and lower body. It includes the glutes, lower back, hip, and abdominal muscles.

Your core muscles work in tandem to hold your torso upright and provide stability for your entire kinetic chain while running. That’s why you MUST do a core strengthening routine two to three times a week.

One of the best exercises for runners is the good old planks. I cannot recommend these enough. In addition to building up your core, they’ll also help develop endurance and strength in the shoulders, arms, and back.

Check the following tutorial to help you build and keep good plank form.

Test Yourself

To improve your running, you MUST measure it — otherwise, you’ll have no idea whether you’re progressing.

The best way to measure your fitness progress is to test it.

Check my full guide to fitness testing here.

Here are the main tests you should be taking on a monthly basis:

The 400m sprint

The one-mile run

The Cooper 12-minute test

A 5K distance run

A 10K distance run

Build the Habit

There’s are few things that feel worse than falling off the fitness wagon after investing so much time into building the right foundation.

That’s why even once you’ve reached your fitness goals, you have to keep your training program going strong. Quit or slack off, and you risk undoing all your hard work—and you don’t want that.

To stay consistent with your new running routine, make sure you turn it into a habit.

Here’s how:

Use a calendar and book your running sessions the same way you schedule an important family event or work meeting. If you create a sense of urgency and importance around your run, you’re more likely to carry through.

Start running with a friend or training partner. This will boost your motivation and add a sense of accountability to your program. This is vital for consistency.

Resolve to run at least three to four times a week for the upcoming 8 to 12 weeks. Do what you have to do never to miss a session.

For my guide on habit formation, check this post.

Set Goals

When it comes to running, it’s vital to have something to work towards regardless of your training aspirations.

Whether your goal is weight loss, improved performance, stress relief, or anything else, having a set of goals creates a benchmark of progress as well as a sense of accomplishment once you start achieving them. I cannot overemphasize the importance of goal setting—even if it’s something you’ve never consider doing before.

Setting goals is what helped me go from being a complete couch potato to becoming a consistent runner, so please start setting fitness goals.

Here’s the golden rule of good goal setting:

Make your goals S.M.A.R.T., And that’s an acronym that stands for Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Realistic; and Time-related.

For my in-depth article on this topic, check my post here.

Run With a Partner

Running is, by definition, a solitary sport and a solo journey, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Research shows that pairing up with a training buddy can lead to better consistency, help you become more accountable, and may even make you exercise a bit harder than you would when you run alone. All of these can do wonders for your running routine.

I’d go so far as to claim that training partners might be the most valuable tools you can have as a runner.

Ask a friend, a family member, a gym partner, or neighbor to run with you.

If you can’t find a suitable partner among people you know, join a local running group or hunt for one online.

Chart Your Progress

As I’ve already stated, if you can’t measure it you can’t improve it.

That’s why I keep stressing the importance of monitoring your progress (or lack thereof, for that matter).

Keep a written log of your running routine. You don’t need anything fancy – a standard training journal, a spiral notebook or a plain notepad will suffice.

Here are some of the things and factors you need to keep track of:

Your running times

Your running distances

Your heart rate (and its fluctuations)

Calories burned

Running routes

Aches, pains, and injuries

Cross training workouts and reps

Body weight

Body measurements

Use Excel spreadsheets to create simple charts for tracking your progress.

You can also keep tabs on your progress online using sites like MapMyRun, DailyMile.com, or RunKeeper.

Run To And/Or From Work

Finding balance between everyday life obligations, work chores, and a running routine is no easy feat. This is especially the case if you’re already burning the candle at both ends.

Instead of running to catch up with the train or a bus, try running to or from work. Put your commute time to good use. But whatever you do, make sure you do the following two things:

First, plan your run-commute thoroughly. Have everything ready the night before, from clothes to shoes, hydration and more.

Second, invest in the right backpack. You might need to think this one through before you make a buying decision. Your pack should be runner-friendly and must not bounce with every step.

Reward Yourself for Your Successes

Rewards are positive reinforcement, and can be a powerful motivator.

When you reach a certain benchmark or achieve a given goal, treat yourself for the hard work you’ve put in and what you’ve accomplished.

Here are some ideas:

Buy a new running shirt or a pair of shorts

Have a meal at a nice restaurant

Watch your favorite Netflix show

Go on a special trip

Go to the movies

Take a long nap

Try Zombies, Run!

For runners looking to turn their everyday workouts into an immersive adventure through a zombie-infested wasteland, look no further than this fantastic gaming app — especially if you’re running out of enthusiasm and need to add a bit of adventure and fun.

Zombies, Run! is an amazing audio adventure for thriller-seeking runners. Thanks to this game you’ll be the hero of your very own zombie adventure story. You’ll run through various missions while being chased by zombies, while also collecting the items you need to progress through the game.

Listen to the Right Music

Studies have linked listening to music to improved athletic performance, better training experience, and superior training consistency.

It’s not rocket science. All you need is the right playlist for the job.

Here’s the golden rule: when picking songs for your running playlist, stick with songs that have a BPM (Beat Per Minute) in the range of 120 to 140.

Here’s how:

You can do it manually, but it’s a real hassle. I don’t recommend this method unless you have a lot of time to spare.

Instead, check out websites that have already compiled thousands of songs and playlists tailored to all sorts of runs and events.

RunHundred.com and RunningPlaylist.Com are two of the best of these.

Get Ready the Night Before

To set yourself up for running success, lay out your running gear the night before your workout. Doing so will help eliminate any barriers between you and your workout, save you a lot of time, and keep your mornings stress-free and smooth.

It should take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to get these things together:

Your running clothes, including pants, socks, t-shirt, underwear, etc. (or sleep in them if you want to)

Your waterbottle

Your music playlist

Your pre-run snack

Your running route

Your workout

Join Online Fitness Groups and Forums

Online health communities, whether they’re fitness groups, forums, social media website or some other type of group, are all great venues for expanding your social circle and connecting with like-minded fitness folks.

Joining up will help you increase your motivation and give you the push you need to exercise a little bit harder and stay consistent over the long haul.

Some of the best fitness-oriented online resources include:

Men’s Health

Runners World Forum

My FitnessPal

Fitbit

Cool Running

Jefit

BodySpace

Nerd Fitness

Transformative Fitness

Race

Choose one of the many running-related events in your area, whether it’s a fun local 5K race, an obstacle race course, or a serious half-marathon or marathon distance challenge, and pay your registration fees in advance to keep yourself accountable.

Just make sure that the race fits your fitness level and schedule. If you’ve never done any sort of running before, spend a few months preparing for the race and make it a shorter distance such as a 5K or 10K run.

Change the Direction of your Runs

If you run the same route day in day out, sooner or later you’re going to get bored, and that’s when you’re most likely to slack off. It’s bad for your consistency and overall training experience, so switch up your running route regularly.

The simplest way to do this is to run your typical route backward every other week.

Don’t like this idea? For another option, use crowd-sourcing apps like MapMyRun or a web resource like WalkJogRun to find and discover new routes close to where you live.

Run in the Morning

Becoming a morning runner was a true godsend for me. It helped me stay consistent and become the runner I’m today.

As a bonus, research shows that those who exercise first thing in the morning are more consistent and efficient than the folks who work out later in the day.

Morning runs can improve your mood, boost productivity, shed more calories, and increase your focus and energy for the rest of the day, so if it’s all possible, run first thing in the morning.

Here are the golden rules:

Prepare the night before by laying your workout gear out

Aim for seven to eight hours of quality sleep

Place your alarm clock far away from your bed to force yourself to get up and out

Drink plenty of water and have a light pre-run snack before you head out the door

Work on your Running Form

Proper training form is king, whether you’re lifting weights in the gym or circling the running track. The right technique can help reduce your risk of injury and make your workouts more efficient.

Run with bad form, and you’re risking all sorts of strains, aches, pains, and injuries.

Here’s how to build good form:

Run tall.

Prevents neck strains by keeping your head straight and your eyes straight ahead. Don’t look down at your feet.

Keep your shoulders relaxed, back, and down. Don’t let them tense up toward your ears.

Lean Forward

This is something I learned from the Chi Running method, and I’ve found it to be very helpful.

Instead of running with a upright posture, run with a slight forward lean of about 8 to 10 degrees. By doing so, your body falls forward with every step, which in theory helps propel you forward and increases your stride turnover.

Mastering the forward lean is more easily said than done. One major mistake I see many runners make is leaning from the waist. Running this way can put a lot of undue pressure on the lower back and slows you down.

Instead, lean from the ankles while engaging your core muscles and keeping your spine straight, allowing for no bending in the waist.

Keep Your Body Relaxed

As a runner, tension is enemy number one. It wastes energy, triggers bad form and can compromise the quality of your workout, leading to premature fatigue and increasing the risk of injuries.

Check your form throughout your run, allowing no chance for tension to creep into your workout.

Here are the few hacks that can help:

Shake your arms and hands every couple of miles and try rolling your neck forward, backward, and to the sides.

Imagine you’re holding an egg in each hand, gently cupping your palm with your thumb resting on your fingers instead of clenching your fist.

Breathe deeply and consciously, letting go of tension and discomfort. You have to get good at catching yourself in the act, and that requires practice.

Pump Your Arms

As a runner, you’re, mainly relying on your legs to propel you forward, but that’s not the whole story. Your arms can help too.

Research shows that opting for a strong arm swing has a drastic impact on the smoothness of your running gait, resulting in a reduced workload on your legs and an increase in your economy of motion.

To boost your endurance and speed, drive your arms in a fluid motion, forward and backward, aiming for a 90- to 100-degree bend at the elbows. Do not pump your arms across the midline of your body—doing so wastes energy and tires your muscles. It might also hinder the forward motion of your body.

Your elbows should swing anywhere between the waistline and chest.

Kill the Bounce

Research shows that vertical oscillation (running with a bounce) has an enormous negative impact on running economy and speed.

When your body is moving up and down too much, you’re wasting a lot of energy and putting undue pressure on your lower body, especially your quads. This leads to premature fatigue and soreness.

Here’s how to keep it under control:

Imagine you’re running under a low roof hovering a few inches above your head. Do not hit your head on the ceiling.

Land with your foot almost directly below your knees. Do not let your foot land in a spot ahead of your knee.

Focus on a faster leg turnover by running lightly and landing softly on your foot. Think quick steps. Focus on keeping your feet under your knees.

Shorten Your Stride

When you overstride your foot lands on the ground well ahead of your hips. This runs the risk of increasing the stress load on your lower body. It also creates a braking effect that can hinder performance.

So, what’s the solution?

It’s simple: shorten your stride. Doing so helps reduce the braking effect and encourages a smoother, more natural running gait.

Here’s how:

To cover more ground, focus on springing off rather than trying to lengthen your stride.

Think short, light foot strikes and keep shortening your normal stride until you reach the perfect running cadence.

Keep your knee positioned above your foot and keep your shin vertical as your foot strikes the ground below you.

To boost speed, increase your leg turnover, driving your leg back from the hips instead of reaching forward with your foot.

All of this may sound a little complicated, but with a little of practice you’ll be able to wrap your head around it in no time.

Increase your Cadence

In running lexicology, running cadence stands for the number of steps you take per minute while running.

When it comes to improving speed, cadence is a vital factor. Opting for the proper cadence reduces the impact of stress on your feet, knees, and ankles, and improves running economy.

According to Jack Daniels (the legendary running guru), the optimal cadence for running is roughly 170 to 180 steps per minute.

Your cadence doesn’t have to be exactly 180 throughout your training — in fact, your racing cadence and easy training cadence shouldn’t be the same.

Breathe Rhythmically

Rhythmic breathing is a form of synchronized breathing that consists of timing your breaths to your foot strikes. The right breathing ratio depends mostly on your current fitness level and training intensity.

So how do you pick the right ratio?

If you’re a complete beginner, start with a 3:3 ratio. This means that you breathe in on three steps—RIGHT foot, LEFT foot, RIGHT foot, then breathe out on the next three steps—LEFT foot, RIGHT foot, LEFT foot.

Using this pattern, you will be taking in roughly 25 to 30 breaths per minute.

This ratio is also ideal for easy (and recovery) runs.

If you feel like this is too slow for you, opt for a 3:2 ratio: inhale on the RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT foot strikes, then exhale on the LEFT, RIGHT foot strikes.

A 2:2 ratio is ideal for when you’re running a tempo pace, or whenever you need more of a push. For the most part, this means cruising at roughly your 10K race pace, or maybe a bit slower. For quality workouts, opt for a 2:1 or even 1:1 ratio.

Here’s my full guide to proper rhythmic breathing while running.

Breathe Deeply

To improve performance and stamina, cultivate the habit of diaphragmatic breathing.

Most runners are chest breathers. That’s neither the most efficient nor the healthiest way to breathe while running. Chest breathing increases the risks of hyperventilation and reduces your intake of oxygen while running.

The good news is that by switching to deep breathing you get more oxygen into your bloodstream. This can boost lung power as well while reducing the risk of side stitches.

Downhill Running

As the saying goes, what goes up must come down. That’s why you should never forget the importance of downhill running.

On the descent, proper form can improve your performance and reduce post-workout soreness—especially in the quads.

Here’s the right way to run downhill:

Stay upright, keeping your posture perpendicular to the ground beneath you. Do not lean back or overstride, as doing so creates a braking action. The only exception is on the steepest grades.

keeping your posture perpendicular to the ground beneath you. Do not lean back or overstride, as doing so creates a braking action. The only exception is on the steepest grades. Brace your core to keep control over your body and the hill. Don’t let the hill control you on the way down.

to keep control over your body and the hill. Don’t let the hill control you on the way down. Do not look straight down. Look ahead while focusing on the line you wish to follow for balance.

Look ahead while focusing on the line you wish to follow for balance. Increase your cadence, aiming for quick, light steps and fast leg turnover.

Let Go of the Handles on the Treadmill

When you’re running on a treadmill, holding onto the handles may help when fatigue starts to set in, but doing so will compromise your overall workout. Positioning your hands on the handles aligns your body in an abnormal way, leading to discomfort and even injury, especially in the hips, lower back, knees, and shoulders.

Instead of touching the equipment, swing your arms backward and forward while engaging your core. This will not only help you keep good form, but will also engage your core, give you a full body workout, and burn more calories.

Have a Pre-run Meal (or Snack)

The main goal behind a pre-run meal is to give you a boost of energy without giving you a troubled stomach on the road.

For a proper pre-run meal, focus on high-quality carbs and low-fiber, low-fat foods.

Make sure you time your pre-run meals correctly. Timing is the most critical variable in the pre-run meal equation.

As a general guideline, if you have an hour or more before a run, you can eat at least 250 to 300 calories worth of food. If you’ve no more than half an hour before a run then eat no more than 140 calories worth. This is frequently the case if you’re running early in the morning but don’t want to go out the door on an empty stomach.

Post-Run Eating

The foods you consume immediately following a run are crucial for optimizing recovery and energy renewal.

Your post-run meal should score high on protein to help repair muscles and speed up recovery. You should also take in good carbohydrates to replenish your glycogen stores and get your body ready for your next run.

Here are three of my favorite post-workout meals:

Chocolate milk. The mix of carbohydrates (chocolate) and protein (milk) is just right for refueling your weary body. In fact, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consuming chocolate milk after a workout can increase muscle protein synthesis.

The mix of carbohydrates (chocolate) and protein (milk) is just right for refueling your weary body. In fact, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consuming chocolate milk after a workout can increase muscle protein synthesis. Fruit salad. Fruit will not only help you replenish your energy stores with needed energy, but it will also help break down nutrients. Plus, the mix of fruits delivers a healthy punch of enzymes—anti-inflammatory properties that speed up recovery.

Fruit will not only help you replenish your energy stores with needed energy, but it will also help break down nutrients. Plus, the mix of fruits delivers a healthy punch of enzymes—anti-inflammatory properties that speed up recovery. Egg whites deliver a healthy punch of proteins and key amino acids, which can help you rebuild damaged tissues after strenuous exercise.

Hydrate Properly

Dehydration can lead to all sorts of serious issues such as headaches, premature fatigue, muscle cramping, decreased coordination, heat exhaustion, and more.

To keep it at bay, drink plenty of water, regardless of whether the weather is cold or warm. As a general rule, you need at least 12 to 16 glasses of water a day.

Please take note that the previous rule isn’t written in stone. The exact amount of water you need depends on many variables, including your age, body weight, gender, fitness level, training distance/intensity, sweat rate, physiology, and outdoor temperature.

One way or another, I highly recommend that you stay well hydrated throughout the day.

Look At Your Pee

I hate to sound like a broken record, but research shows that dehydration can lead to decreased performance, premature fatigue, seizures, blood clots, and even death.

To check for signs of dehydration, look at your pee. You should be drinking enough water throughout the day for your urine to be a light straw color, or mostly clear with a tinge of yellow.

If your urine looks like chardonnay, or is yellow or orange, then you’re dehydrated and need to be drinking a lot more.

Get More Iron

Iron is a vital component of the body’s red blood cells. Blood cells contain hemoglobin, and are crucial for transporting oxygen to your body’s various muscles and tissues. Iron deficiency leads to a reduction in hemoglobin level, which in turn hinders proper oxygen delivery.

Some of the best food sources for iron include egg yolks, lean meat, dark green leafy vegetables, lean meats, dried fruits, legumes, and whole grains. You can also go for iron-enriched or fortified cereals and bread.

To improve absorption, consume iron-rich foods with vitamin C like orange juice.

Have a Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are runner-friendly beverages that score high on both carbohydrates and electrolytes. These two nutrients are vital for staying well fueled and hydrated during intense aerobic activity.

Aim for taking in at least 30 to 50 grams of carbs for each hour spent running, but keep in mind that 8 ounces of a typical sports drink might contain roughly 16 grams of carb. During a long run, aim for taking in 4 to 6 ounces of fluid for every 20 to 30 minutes spent running.

Some of the best brands include Gatorade, HEED, PowerBar Perform, and GU Roctane.

If money is an issue, then the next tip will come in handy

Make your Own Sports Drink

I make my own sports drinks using whole foods and natural ingredients, and I love it. By doing so, I’m saving a lot of money while choosing a healthier path by going for more natural, whole ingredients.

For the icing on the cake, making your own sports drinks is easier than you might think. You need the right ingredients and the courage to do a bit of experimentation.

Here are the main ingredients required to make healthy, energy-boosting sports drinks:

Water

Limes

Oranges

Lemons

Honey

Salt

Sugar

Coconut oil

Strawberries and other flavorful fruits

If you can get your hands on three or four of the above ingredient than you’re 90 percent there.

Banish GI Issues

Gastrointestinal issues are pretty common among runners, regardless of their training background or fitness level. GI problems can be a real hindrance to performance and training enjoyment.

To prevent problems, do the following:

Steer clear of large meals within two to three hours before a workout

Avoid eating anything within a half an hour of running

Avoid foods that trigger acid reflux on hard training days. Examples include caffeine and tomatoes

Instead, go for light, low-fiber foods such as whole-wheat toast, a banana, or plain oatmeal.

Looking for a quick boost of fuel? Sip a sports drink or have an energy smoothie.

Here’s my full guide to dealing with GI problems while running.

Eat this to Prevent Stress Fractures

Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a runner like the words “stress fracture.” Amazingly, research shows that a little tweak to your diet can drastically reduce your risks for this injury.

The five main nutrients you need to be taking in are:

Calcium. Some of the best sources of calcium include cheese, dark leafy greens, bok choy, okra, green beans, broccoli, almonds, and low-fat milk. If your diet is low on calcium or you have a history of stress fractures, consider taking a daily 500-mg calcium carbonate supplement.

Magnesium. Some of the best sources include seeds, broccoli, sesame seeds, pumpkin, dark chocolate, nuts, and almonds.

Vitamin D. Good sources include organic eggs, fish, oysters, cod liver oil and mushrooms.

Vitamin K. Foods high in this nutrient include dark leafy greens, dry herbs, broccoli, cabbage, scallions, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus.

Folic acid. Some excellent sources include spinach, orange juice, lentils, broccoli, and garbanzo beans.

Strength Train

As a runner, you MUST strength train on a regular basis.

Strength training is good for runners for two reasons:

(1) It boosts strength in key running muscles, especially the calves, the hamstrings, the quads, and the core. The stronger your muscles, the faster you will be, and the more power your body will generate with each step you take.

(2) It fixes muscle imbalances. According to research, when one muscle group is relatively weaker (or stronger) than the opposite group, it can lead to all sorts of overuse injuries, including runner’s knee, ITBS, stress fractures, piriformis syndrome and more.

Other benefits you can reap from following a regular strength routine are improved running form, improved bone density, weight loss, and better joint mobility.

Foam Roll

Foam rolling is a form of self-myofascial release, and it is by far the cheapest way to get a massage in the comfort of your own home.

Foam rolling releases stiff muscles and helps keep the connective tissues in the muscles—known as fascia—happy and loose. It also prepares your body for stretching by breaking down muscle knots that limit your range of motion. On top of that, research shows that foam rolling boosts circulation, which is key for speeding up recovery.

Here’s my foam rolling routine. Feel free to steal it and do it whenever you have 15 to 20 minutes to spare.

Do not Run Through Pain

Getting hurt while running is a nightmare—especially if you’re serious about your road miles. Injuries mean time off of the running track, sitting on the sofa and feeling depressed and defeated.

The easiest way to get injured is to run too much without heeding your body’s signals of pain and discomfort.

To keep injury risks at bay, know your limits. Every runner has an injury threshold. It could be 20 miles a week or 100, but once you go over your limit, you raise your risk of injury.

Don’t ignore your body’s signals of pain and discomfort—they’re your body’s reaction to overuse or impending injury.

Learn how to distinguish between productive pain — or what you may call soreness —and unproductive pain, which is pain that results from incurring an injury.

Have Some R.I.C.E

The R.I.C.E method should be your first line of defense against common running pains and injuries.

According to current theory, the R.I.C.E. method can soothe pain, limit swelling and shield damaged tissues against further injury. All this sets the groundwork for faster healing.

Here’s what it’s all about:

R is for Rest: Cut back on your running, going so far as to take a couple of days (or even more) to allow for proper healing. Cross train as long as your activity of choice doesn’t lead to pain.

Cut back on your running, going so far as to take a couple of days (or even more) to allow for proper healing. Cross train as long as your activity of choice doesn’t lead to pain. I is for Ice: Apply ice using an ice pack—whether it’s a bag of frozen beans or a baggie filled with water and ice cubes. Apply for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, two to three times a day.

Apply ice using an ice pack—whether it’s a bag of frozen beans or a baggie filled with water and ice cubes. Apply for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, two to three times a day. C is for Compression: Compress the injured limb— using an elastic bandage or a Tubegrip. Compression can help decrease inflammation and provide pain relief. Just make sure that it’s not so tight that it restricts your movement.

Compress the injured limb— using an elastic bandage or a Tubegrip. Compression can help decrease inflammation and provide pain relief. Just make sure that it’s not so tight that it restricts your movement. E is for Elevation: Elevate the affected area, raising it above the level of your chest to limit swelling.

Know When (and Where) Not To Run

Consistent training is vital for successful running. Maintaining discipline over a relatively long period is what success is made of. Still, if you want to become a great runner, you need to know when it’s time to break this rule.

Here are a few examples of when you should skip a workout:

When you feel pain. Never run through pain. Check tip 76 for that.

If you feel any overtraining warning signs, including elevated heart rate, chronic fatigue, high injury rate, unwanted weight loss, or reduced training performance.

If you show signs of extreme dehydration.

If you don’t feel safe—especially at night and/or when running in unfamiliar, unpatrolled areas.

During harsh weather conditions, whether it’s too hot or too cold outside. Check the National Weather Service as well as the heat index chart.

Depending on which warning sign you’re responding to, take your run indoors, cross train, or take a few days off from training.

Plan Recovery Periods Into Your Training Program

Recovery matters. I’d go so far as to say that proper recovery is as important as your training itself.

Proper recovery not only helps you dodge overtraining and injury but can also improve your performance. You’re only as good a runner as your recovery routine.

To ensure proper recovery, take a recovery week for every fourth or fifth week of intense training.

During recovery, cut back on mileage and cross train. Reduce your total volume by 20 to 40 percent from the last week’s total mileage, or stop exercising altogether to allow for full recovery.

Here’s my full guide to running recovery.

Get More Sleep

When we sleep, our bodies release growth hormone, which is vital for stimulating muscle growth, speeding up recovery, and improving fat burning and bone-building.

Sleep deprivation can interfere with this process, increasing your risk of injury and compromising your performance, so you need to make getting proper sleep a priority.

As a general guideline, the average person should get 7 to 8 hours of high quality, uninterrupted sleep per night. Most running experts say to sleep an extra minute per night for every mile you run per week.

That means that if you’re running 35 miles a week, you should shoot for 35 extra minutes of sleep each night.

Do Injury-Prevention Exercises

Most runners have an area of weakness that’s more vulnerable to getting sore or injured. By developing an injury-proofing routine, you can dramatically slash your risk of discomfort and injury.

Commit to addressing your weak, oft-injured area, whether it’s your knees, your hips, your shins or plantar fascia. To do this, you need to do a regular strength program focusing on that area, along with some foam rolling work, stretching, and massage.

According to my own experience and research, one major area that needs your attention as a runner is your glutes and hips area. Research shows that most running injuries stem from weakness in the hip region. Examples of these injuries include runner’s knee, ITBS, hamstring pulls, piriformis syndrome, shin splints, and foot issues.

Do This to Prevent Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee is, hands down, one of the most common running injuries. Still, it’s not a death sentence if you know how to handle it.

According to research published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, adding strength and stability to the kinetic chain through core strength training can slash the risks of injury.

If you have a history of knee pain, you need to do plenty of core exercises. The core includes the muscles around your trunk, abs, glutes and hip muscles, as well as the quads and stabilizing muscles surrounding your knees.

Here are four of the most commonly prescribed moves for preventing runner’s knee. Do these as often as possible:

Bridges

Clamshells

Side leg lifts

Wall sits

Prevent Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the bane of many runners. Still, you can reduce the risks of incurring this injury by doing some in-house self-massage using a golf or tennis ball.

Here’s how:

Place a tennis ball on the floor, then gently roll it under your foot for a few minutes to loosen up your plantar fascia. This reduces the risks of inflammation and/or irritation.

As you roll the ball under your foot, apply pressure where it’s needed. Roll it around your plantar fascia and put a little bit more pressure on any hot area that feels sore or “crunchy.”

If you come upon such a spot, apply more pressure for at least 20 to 30 seconds, but not too much. For additional relief, keep the ball in the freezer, then step down on it first thing in the morning—especially if you have any post-run plantar pain.

Do This to Prevent ITBS

Iliotibial Band Syndrome, or ITB, is a condition of inflammation that affects the iliotibial band. The iliotibial band is the thick, fibrous band of connective tissues that runs down the outside of the thigh, from your pelvis to your knees.

The bad news is that ITBS is a common affliction for both beginners and seasoned runners. You can reduce ITBS risks by stretching your IT band on a regular basis.

Here’s the stretch I recommend:

While standing, cross your right leg behind your left while leaning toward your left leg. Extend your arms overhead with your fingers intertwined.

Here’s my full guide to treating and preventing ITBS.

Test Your Balance

Do you have a bad history of ankle sprains?

If your answer is yes, you might need some balance training in your life.

Balance training strengthens your ankles and their surrounding supporting muscles. It gives you more control while running and can reduce your risk of ankle sprains and other injuries.

Here’s my full guide to dealing with ankle sprains, and some of the best balance exercises:

One leg balance with eyes open

Leg swings

Lunge steps

One leg balance with eyes closed

One leg balance on a pillow, or any other unstable surface

Work your Toes

Shin splints are the general term for pain that occurs on the anterior and/or posterior tendons and muscles of the lower leg.

Research shows that specific strength training exercises targeting the calves and muscles surrounding the shins and the lower legs can help you reduce the risks of this injury.

Here are the best exercises for preventing shin splints:

Toe lifts

Heel raises

Calf raises

Leg presses

Toe lunges

Take Care of Your Feet

Your feet take quite a beating while running. They’re the single point of contact with the ground, and the foundation for every step you take. Ignore proper foot care, and it won’t be long before you’re sidelined by pain and injury.

Here are some of the things you need to do to take good care of your feet:

Trim your toenails on a regular basis—neither too short or too long

Run in the right shoes

Take care of your blisters (check this guide for that)

Massage your feet using a tennis ball or get a professional massage

Ice your feet at the first sign of any post-run pain

Do a regular strength training routine for your feet

Banish Blisters

Blisters can quickly turn an enjoyable run (or race) into an agonizing march. They’re painful, and they suck big time!

Most cases of running blisters are easily avoided. To prevent them, minimize friction inside of your running shoe.

Here are the best measures for doing that:

Choose running shoes that fit comfortably, with roughly a thumb’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Tight shoes can lead to blisters on top of the toes, while shoes that are too wide can cause blisters on the tips of the toes.

Wear the right socks. They should fit snugly, with no extra fabric at the heels or the end of the toes.

Cover your blisters with duct tape to help you get you through a long run or race.

If you have a history of getting blisters from running, lace up your shoes the way that’s shown in this awesome YouTube tutorial.

Avoid Side Stitches

Research has linked eating a large amount of high-fat, high-fiber food shortly before a workout to side stitches.

If you want to avoid this uncomfortable symptom, avoid heavy meals for at least three to four hours before running, and if you have a slow digestive system (like I do), have a light snack 60 to 90 minutes before your workout.

Avoid fatty and high-fiber foods. These take longer to digest and make the stomach feel heavier. They’re also linked with gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and workout stomach.

Here’s my full guide to side stitches.

Stop Chafing

Chafing should be avoided like the plague.

It can take place almost anywhere that friction occurs, and especially where clothing that is too loose rides up and rubs the wrong way. Some of the areas most commonly affected by chafing include the inner thighs, the underarms, and the nipples.

The best way to prevent chafing is to restrict movement in key problem areas by wearing compression apparel.

Opt for a pair of compression shorts, preferably made from sweat-wicking fabrics. Some brands have ventilation spots that target key problem areas such as the inner thighs, the butt, and the crotch.

You can also reduce the risk of a chafing flare-up by lubing up hot spots like the feet, the inner thighs, underarms, and nipples. Ladies should also pay attention to the line of their sports bra.

Face Traffic

Traffic is the biggest source of worry while exercising outdoors, especially if you’re a city dweller and/or you run when it’s dark outside.

We’ve all heard about tragic pedestrian deaths caused by traffic: don’t let yourself become a statistic.

The best way to handle traffic is to run against it. This is true everywhere but on blind corners where visibility is briefly limited. By running against traffic, you’ll be more alert and have enough time to react to and avoid any danger you might face.

For a comprehensive list of ways to stay safe while running outdoors, check my post here.

Be Trail Courteous

If you’re a trail-running junkie, I urge you to follow trail-running etiquette and rules. These principles are vital for promoting environmentally-friendly running.

Here they are:

Stay on the trail. Run on well-marked trail paths that already exist. If you find yourself running across too many obstacles, you may be heading in the wrong direction.

Yield to other trails users, whether they’re hikers, a mountain biker, or an equestrian.

Make your presence known to trails users when you’re about to pass them. Make some noise and never assume that they’re aware of your existence.

Stay watchful on blind curves and corners.

Show respect for private property along your running route.

Reduce your footprint and don’t litter. Make your way through a puddle, not around it.

Respect wild animals. You’re the intruder, not them.

Keep it on a leash. Keep your dog under control whenever you’re running together.

Keep it Simple

Overthinking your running program will only get you stuck in your ways. Don’t overanalyze your training process.

There’s no such thing as a perfect running plan. There’s no such thing as a perfect diet. All you have to do is to know yourself, set the right goals, and embrace the learning process, complete with all its ups and downs.

To keep things simple, adopt a gradual approach. This means taking small steps and building on them one step at a time until you achieve your fitness vision.

You can always think big, but you need to act small if you’re serious about reaching your destination.

Don’t Take Running Too Seriously

I love running. I mean, I love it so much that I spend a great deal of my time doing it and writing about it.

But I also have a life. At least, I’m trying to. That’s why running, and exercise in general, should be something that works in tandem with other important aspects of your life, not the other way around.

Don’t let running take over your life. Don’t take running too seriously (unless you are a professional athlete and it’s how you make your living).

Your miles do not define you. Your pace does not define you. Your running times are not you. You are where you’re supposed to be as a runner (and as a human being).

Learn from Your Mistakes

More often than not, not making any mistakes is a sure sign that you aren’t trying hard enough. If that’s the case, you’re wasting your time and setting yourself up for disappointment.

I encourage you to make as many mistakes as possible. After all, failure is not a bad thing unless you’re letting it hold you back from pursuing your goals.

Here’s the truth. Mistakes are vital for showing you the road to success. They’re the signposts you need to get where you want to go. Without them, you’ll just be running in circles inside of your established comfort zone.

To make the most of running, learn from your mistakes. If you have a bad history of knee injury, rethink your training approach and assess what you’re doing wrong. Be a detective.

My best recommendation is to keep track of what you do on the running track, and the key is to keep a daily journal.

Be Consistent

“The secret of success is consistency of purpose.” -Benjamin Disraeli

What separates and distinguishes an average runner from a great athlete is, without a shadow of a doubt, consistency.

The training guidelines above are some of the best in the world, but they amount to nothing if you don’t practice them (or at least, some of them) on a consistent basis.

Consistency is the key to success. It’s the most vital piece of every training program and any other worthy lifelong pursuit.

Without consistency, you’re not going to build your endurance.

You’re not going to lose weight.

You’re not going to build a better body.

You’re not going to get faster.

You’re not going to achieve your running/health goals.

You’re not going to do jack squat.

On the flip side, once you achieve a certain level of consistency with your training program, the sky is the limit.

Knowledge is one thing, but applying knowledge in the real world, on a consistent basis, is an entirely different beast.

Runners Run

In the end, the best way to become a good runner is, wait for it …to run more.

You know the deal: If you want to become a good writer, you need to write.

If you want to get better at selling, you need to sell more.

If you want to get stronger, you need to lift more weights.

If you want to improve your running, you MUST run.

There’s no other way.

It’s the only way to achieve your running goals, whether you dream of running for a half an hour without fainting, losing a certain amount of weight, or becoming a competitive long-distance athlete.

It’s all about the action you take.

You can also try running twice a day.

Conclusion

There you have it. The tips above are some of the best training guidelines and strategies available to help you become the best runner you can ever be. Now it’s your turn to put into action what you’ve learned. The rest is just details.

Please feel free to leave your comments and ideas in the section below.

In the meantime, thank you for reading my post.

Keep Running Strong

David D.

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