101 Running Tips

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  • 1. Use Vaseline

    You might want to spare yourself from blisters while running. The best way to prevent them is by using Vaseline. from Jerry, Oklahoma - www.runreviews.com

  • 2. Go easy

    Go easy on yourself. Gradually increase your running distance, but don't overshoot 10% per week. from Ana, London - www.runreviews.com

  • 3. Take a break

    Every 4th or 5th week make sure you decrease workout by at least 30%. Your body needs a break once in a while. from Jerry, Oklahoma - www.runreviews.com

  • 4. Cut your toenails

    You should cut your toenails short if you don't like discomfort or even injury. from Jason, New Jersey

  • 5. Protect your toes

    Protect your toes by using BodyGlide. They do need some extra care, especially on long runs.. from Ana, London - www.runreviews.com

  • 6. Cold water

    Avoid hot water after a race. Cold water will make healing much faster. from Ursu,Bicaz Romania - www.runreviews.com

  • 7. No new things before the race

    Don't get curious on race day. New shoes and gear or some new foodstuff will have to wait until the race is over. from Ursu,Bicaz Romania - www.runreviews.com

  • 8. Take your ID with you

    It's always recommended to carry I.D. from Bill, Miami

  • 9. Superheros

    Don't act like a super runner if you're not. Try to keep it short and slow at first so that soreness doesn't get you down. from Heather, Colorado - www.heatherrunsfar.com

  • 10. Slow down

    If you have problems breathing, just slow down and relax for a bit. from Ursu,Bicaz Romania - www.runreviews.com

  • 11. Be realistic

    Be realistic about your goals. Don't over appreciate your abilities. from Ana, London - www.runreviews.com

  • 12. Keep a Blog

    If you are the literary type, write down your experiences, either in a diary or on a blog or sports forums. from Ursu,Bicaz Romania - www.runreviews.com

  • 13. No substitutes

    Remember that no sports substitute, like gadget training programs, match a real run. Go out there and feel the morning brisk. from Sean - runnersblog.blogspot.com/

  • 14. Variation

    Get creative by varying the running itinerary, especially if you know you get bored fast. Running is also about innovation. from Ana, London - www.runreviews.com

  • 15. Rest

    Make sure you add rest to your daily training program. It is very important for the body to relax as long as it needs to. from Jerry, Oklahoma - www.runreviews.com

  • 16. Dress lighter

    Your running clothes should match a temperature 10 degree higher than it actually is. from Petra, Lincolnshire UK - petraruns.blogspot.com

  • 17. Prevent heat distress

    For preventing heat distress, you can soak a bandana in cold water and put it around your neck. from Donnie Lincol,Nebraska

  • 18. Be comfortable

    Make sure you look good in your running gear. It will definitely motivate you and will increase ambition. from Patrick, Amsterdam

  • 19. Do it your way

    Stick to your own way. Don't focus on whether others are faster than you or not. Everybody has his/ her own rhythm. from Timmy, Salt Lake City - rossy.fastrunningblog.com/

  • 20. Don't get depressed

    This run may be worse than the last one. Don't get too depressed, it is only normal to feel sore and fatigue once in a while. from Ursu,Bicaz Romania - www.runreviews.com

  • 21. Run smoothly

    It is extremely important to run smoothly. You should closely care for your footing. The best way to avoid splints and other injuries is by letting your heel strike the ground first. It will ensure the right rhythm for your body and will protect you from discomfort and pain. from Jerry, Oklahoma - www.runreviews.com

  • 22. Move your arms

    Don't forget about the relationship between arms and legs. Your knees follow the arms, which is why every time you move your arms faster your legs become faster. Exploit this asset of your body and use it for your every run. from Jerry, Oklahoma - www.runreviews.com

  • 23. Gradually increase the length

    You should train and increase speed and distance in a gradual manner. If you go radical on your body, you will get soreness. Listen to your body and act on its needs. Konstantin, Pireus -Grecee

  • 24. See the big picture

    Focus on the big picture. It's not only your legs that make you a good runner. It's your entire body that contributes to your performance. Your training program should contain exercises for all your body parts: reverse curls, split jumps, jump squats, crunches and a fair share of running on the spot with your knees high. from Rodney M, Chicago

  • 25.Try running a hill

    The outdoor environment is the best choice for increasing performance. A key to every runner is to have strong muscles and lungs and the best way to do that is by running up a hill. It will reinforce your lungs and will fortify your muscle groups. from Jerry, Oklahoma - www.runreviews.com

  • 26. Know your heart rate

    Find out what your maximum heart rate is and work it out. If you are a professional runner, you can do that after warm-up by running for 3 minutes as hard as possible followed by 2 minute rest. Do it again and afterwards count your rate. Knowing your heart rate will provide great benefits and will definitely improve your runs. from Dennis, Seattle - www.runreviews.com

  • 27. Dehydration

    A primary concern should be hydration. If the body doesn't receive full hydration, it will crack. And remember this: it is best if you prevent thirst. Every percent of dehydration cumbers performance. Be cautious and drink a lot of water. from Jerry, Oklahoma - www.runreviews.com

  • 28. Be progressive

    If you train too hard or too soon you risk to get injured. Make sure you raise the level in a progressive and controlled manner. from Phil, UK - http://sorelimbs.co.uk/

  • 29. Take the stress off of your joints

    One of the best ways to do this is by deep water running or cross training in the water. This will take the unnecessary stress and pounding off of your joints and bones but still give your muscles an excellent workout. from Laura Sibley - www.aqxsports.com/

  • 30. Take the stress off of your joints

    Work you abs and core muscles to improve your running. It seems counterintuitive, but the stronger your core, the better your form and the less you will fatigue while running. Also, you will minimize common running-related injuries by having a strong core! from Melisa, Denver - www.m2marathon.blogspot.com/

  • 31. Strength training

    Keep your muscles strong and balanced by making strength training an important component of your training. from Jessica - www.seejessrun.com/

  • 32. PACE Yourself

    Remember the "talk and sing test." For a majority of your run, you should be comfortable enough to carry on a conversation but not comfortable enough to sing. from Emily Robins - www.oklahomarunningmom.blogspot.com

  • 33. Can the Soda

    Stomach cramps, bloating, dehydration...soda and running just can't be friends. from Emily Robins - www.oklahomarunningmom.blogspot.com

  • 34. Take a day off

    If you take the time to really "listen" you'll better know when you should push yourself harder or take it easy. Sometimes taking a day off is the best thing for your overall success. from Emily Robins - www.oklahomarunningmom.blogspot.com

  • 34. Celebrate Personal Victories

    Don't compare yourself to others. There will always be someone who is faster or slower than you so comparing doesn't help with improvement. When you celebrate the strides you're making, you will have more motivation to continue improving. from Emily Robins - www.oklahomarunningmom.blogspot.com

  • 35.Chocolate Milk

    The perfect mix of carbs, protein and sugar. Use this instead of a traditional recovery drink. from Emily Robins - www.oklahomarunningmom.blogspot.com

  • 36. Ice Your Sore Muscles

    A great way to reduce muscle soreness is to use ice. The best method is to put a paper cup filled with water in your freezer. Once frozen, expose the ice by tearing off the top half of the cup. Move the ice over your muscle for at least 10-15 minutes; try to lightly massage the ice into the sorest parts. After icing, wrap your muscle with an ace bandage or towel and elevate for 10 minutes. Try to repeat this process one or two more times for maximum benefit. from Casey - www.runners-resource.com

  • 37. Keep a training log

    Keep a training log .. you'd be surprised how motivating it can be to look back at how you've progressed with your running. Be sure to include the distance, time it took to run it, the weather and how you felt about the run. from Jokach - www.getyourserenity.com/blog/

  • 38. Enjoy the scenery

    Take time to enjoy the scenery and be thankful for the opportunity to run. I think any running is better than no running - so don't take it for granted that you will always be able to run!. from Mary - raceready.com/wp/

  • 38. Train on trails

    Do your training on trails, if possible. This will be gentler on your joints and will allow you to run longer and stay healthier. from Mary - raceready.com/wp/

  • 39. Most important...

    The most important running tip! It's better to run one mile than to think about running five. from David - www.tips4running.com/

  • 40. Listen to your body

    The mind truly tires before the body, so if you're feeling good but your brain is telling you to stop, push on through! You can go that extra mile (or 10). On the flip side, if your body is just feeling off, take a break - a short break is much better than months trying to recover. from Amber Taylor - http://mommiesontherun.blogspot.com

  • 41. Warm-up properly

    Before you set off on your running adventure be sure to warm-up properly by engaging specific muscle groups, this will allow you to run safely and efficiently. An example of a proper warm up would be foam rolling followed by a lying glute bridge. By warming up properly your chance of injury will decrease tremendously . from Elizabeth Carrion - http://www.mountainpeakfitness.com/

  • 42. Be positive

    Don't neglect your mental preparation. You can't control the weather, the course or your fellow runners, but you can control your thoughts. Keep them positive from RJ - www.mindoverbodymarathon.blogspot.com

  • 43. Negative split

    Relax for the first half of the race, then pick it up during the back half. Every second you run too fast at the beginning of a race will cost you 2 seconds at the end. from Joe Terracina - www.middleagedathlete.com

  • 44. Find a running group

    Find a running group. The knowledge and motivation you will gain from others will be priceless. from Joe Terracina - www.middleagedathlete.com

  • 45. Work on your form/gait

    Many people say that your running form is just natural and you can't improve upon it. Nonsense! You could be doing things that are hurting yourself. Slow down sometimes, check in with yourself to make sure you are not dragging your feet or slouching. from Jill - www.jillwillrun.com

  • 46. Logging your runs

    Find time to log your mileage after your run. It will be a valuable resource on training. It will also show your progress. More so, a short description of the route, how you feel, weather condition and things that affect you while running. from James Betia, Philippines - http://journeyingjames.blogspot.com/

  • 47. Tell someone where you are going

    Tell someone where you are going and how long you plan to be if the area you are running in does not have a good cell phone signal. You can send someone an email before you head out and one when you return. Be safe in remote locations. from Coach Liz - http://tntcoachliz.blogspot.com

  • 48.Dress to be seen

    Dress to be seen if you run on roads. Bright colors and reflective clothing are more easily seen by motorists. from Coach Liz - http://tntcoachliz.blogspot.com

  • 49. Don't worry about others.

    Often times we compare our pace, times, distances to others. Don't get caught up in what other people are doing. Focus on yourself and your progress. from Diana Mcalister - http://justrunningforfun.blogspot.com/

  • 50. Know that Bad runs will happen.

    Bad runs always seem to appear when we least expect them. Push through and be ok with them. They happen to everyone. Keep on moving forward. from Diana Mcalister - http://justrunningforfun.blogspot.com/

  • 51. Stay mentally tough.

    The mind can be your best friend or worst enemy. When you think you just can't go any further, force yourself to go to the next tree, mailbox, light, etc. You can do it. from Diana Mcalister - http://justrunningforfun.blogspot.com/

  • 52. Believe in yourself

    Training isn't always easy and doesn't always go as planned. Believe in yourself. If you want to do something you can. from Diana Mcalister - http://justrunningforfun.blogspot.com/

  • 53. Cross Train

    Keep fit and have a rest from running at the same time by cycling, swimming, ect. from Paul Rhodes,Sydney, NSW, Australia - http://runnershigh-paul.blogspot.com/

  • 54. Relax your shoulders

    Quite often when runners are really working hard to get through a tough run, we subconsciously raise our shoulders into our necks, rendering our whole body tense and making it impossible to use our arms to move. Take a couple of deep breaths and push those shoulders and arms down all the way, then bring just the lower arms back up. from Evie Clercx - www.aquablingevie.blogspot.com

  • 55. Run inside the curves

    In a race, don't run farther than you need to. Run the tangents by running straight lines from one curve to the next, running on the inside of the curves. from Allen - http://www.oldmanrunning.org

  • 56. Be careful about pushing through bad runs.

    More often than naught, you need extra rest not extra stress from pushing through a bad run. from Allen - http://www.oldmanrunning.org

  • 57. Have a Good Time.

    Have a Good Time. It is not always about the clock from Chicken Underwear - http://whatyourdonotknowbecauseyouarenotme.blogspot.com

  • 58. Warm-up vs. Static Stretching

    Warm up your body and legs before a run, while do static stretching after a run. from Marie - http://mysundaespecial.blogspot.com

  • 59. Cross training

    Cross training helps you run faster and be injury free from Marie - http://mysundaespecial.blogspot.com

  • 60. Yoga Helps

    Find a good yoga teacher and go to yoga at least 1 time per week. After you learn the proper alignments, from a good teacher, then you can transition to home yoga if you prefer to workout at home. from Ginny - http://happyfeet26-2.blogspot.com/

  • 61. Start with 1 hard workout per week

    If you have been running for a while, and have a good base, try gradually adding a short tempo run, a short track workout, OR a fartlek (speed play) run. Not all 3 at one time. Just pick one new thing, and incorporate it into your week. Be sure to incorporate at least 1 easy day, after a hard day. 2-3 easy days may be required for some runners. Start with 1 hard workout per week. from Ginny - http://happyfeet26-2.blogspot.com/

  • 62. Don't run hills too fast

    Don't run hills too fast. Walk them if needed and then run again at the top. This is a great way to build fitness without overdoing it.from Dean, http://www.homegymequipment.com.au

  • 63. Not a goal-oriented person?

    "I want to run a marathon by the end of the year" isn't motivation enough for us task-oriented folks. Try making a checklist of the training steps you have to take to get to the big goal. The Couch to 5K program or others like it make great checklists!from Beckey , http://moretoloverunning.blogspot.com

  • 64. Do a weekly long run

    Make sure you do a weekly long run. Build it up to about 20 miles. Try to do a 20-miler 4-6 times in your training program.from Dominique , http://www.best-running-tips.com/

  • 65. Know your foot type

    Make sure you know your foot type. Get the right running shoes for your type of feet to prevent injuries.from Dominique , http://www.best-running-tips.com/

  • 66. Take a moment to appreciate

    Take a moment to appreciate that you run..are a indeed runner. It is easy to loose that simple idea in the details of training.from Tara, http://bibliosiren.wordpress.com

  • 67. Bring a four-legged buddy

    Get a four-legged running buddy to make workouts more fun. Make sure you bring plenty of water for you and your dog..by Janine, http://www.pacecreative.blogspot.com/

  • 68. Pick the right type of shoe

    Wear a running shoe that is designed for your specific foot type, and you will prevent injuries, run faster, and maximize your performance.by Jen, http://www.runpals.com/

  • 69. Tempo Runs

    Mix in higher speed tempo runs once a week to vary your workouts. You'll be amazed at the impact it can have on your pace.by Andrew, http://www.atriathletesblog.com

  • 70. Bikram Yoga

    To help muscles, joints, flexibility, knees, and overall health and well-being... try Bikram Yoga. It is an AMAZING alternate activity for runners!!by Abbey Algiers, http://www.imrunnerchica.com

  • 71. Watch for camber in the road

    Watch for camber in the road. The slightest incline on the edges of the road can cause serious wear and tear on your knees and ankles.by Nanette, http://crazymotherontherun.blogspot.com

  • 72. Stick to what you love

    You don't have to run a marathon. Marathon running is the trendy thing to do these days and can leave runners who prefer shorter distances feeling as if they do not run enough or do not run as well as marathoners. That is simply not true. Stick with what you love. If what you love is a fast 5K on a Saturday morning, be glad you have found your passion and work on increasing speed rather than distance.by Jodi, http://jbcolechronicles.blogspot.com/

  • 73. Teach someone else how to run.

    Introducing someone to running helps you look at WHY you run the way you do. In the end, you will both be better runners, and have company for those weekly long runs! by Once and Future Runner, onceandfuturerunner.com



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