We recently asked our Facebook followers to offer up the worst advice received regarding their pursuit of running or walking.
Taking a step back, let’s start with the definition of advice: “Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action…” (or so says the internet)
When advice is good, then by all means follow those thoughts into your future running or walking endeavors. But when it is comes to some of the things posted on our Facebook page, well, our advice would be to run or walk quickly in the opposite direction!
We’ve organized some of the ideas submitted into groups of sorts, and included some commentary from us to help direct you in a better direction.
Training Too Hard:
“If you’re not exhausted after a workout, you didn’t work hard enough.”
“Go hard all the time” … “Faster is better.”
Workouts can be exhausting, but the idea is to follow a plan that builds over time
Not Training Correctly:
“Don’t include speedwork in your training.”
“It’s only 13.1 miles, you don’t need to train that hard.”
“You don’t need to run to prepare for a marathon, just do crossfit.”
“Weekly mileage only has to be as far as the race you’re training for. For example, 13 miles a week will prepare you for a half marathon.”
Countless experts have created helpful training programs that, while different in intensity and purpose, often share a common theme – preparation and planning can lead to success. Perhaps more succinct – you can’t bluff your way through a marathon or ½ marathon!
Nutrition and hydration:
Nutrition doesn’t matter.
Eat chips and margaritas to carb-load before a race.
We like to eat snacks and enjoy the occasional adult beverages (being of age and all), but your body is like a car engine, and needs proper fueling for maximum performance when training or racing. Good training plans include nutrition advice; the snacks and other indulgences come after the race when it is time to celebrate your accomplishment!
Dealing with injuries:
You can run through any injury.
Run through the pain.
Dumb. Untrue. Dangerous. If you are injured, stop running or walking and go see a doctor. Feeling an injury coming on? Take off a day or two. Still hurting? Follow the advice we just gave for someone who is injured – go see a doctor.
Bad Advice That Doesn’t Fit Into A Category:
Don’t run outside when it’s cold.
We live in Ohio. It will be cold at some point during the year. And with proper clothing, cold-weather running and walking can be amazing!
Your body will give up after 4 hours of running.
Our Marathon course limit is 6.5 hours, so your body has at least 2.5 more hours to go! But seriously, train correctly and you will be amazed by what you can accomplish!
Running over 3 miles is bad for your heart and joints.
Jumping out of bed having never run or walked a step, sure, but as we’ve stressed already, proper training can put you into a position for a long, healthy running or walking career.
You’re too slow to run a marathon.
Tell that to the thousands of people who have completed our race since 1980. Each year, only one man and one woman has been named the winner. The rest? All earned the same title, regardless of pace: finisher!