This week’s Tuesday Topic: Confession time: What are your worst running habits?  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post. Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!
I have been running for a long time now but there are still some things I do not do prior to or after a run. Ready to hear about them?
• I don’t eat anything prior to a run. I drink coffee so that has to count for something, right? I drink it because I like it and it makes me go to the bathroom. Â
• No warmup or cooldown. After my coffee, I change, use the bathroom one more time, and out the door I go. After my run, I drink a protein drink, take a shower, and get ready for work.
• Start a race too fast. I think many of us do this. It is the excitement that gets me going until sometimes it is too late and I get tired early on in the race.
• Comparing myself to 5-10 years ago. I don’t compare myself to others anymore. Sometimes I look at my stats from a few years back and see that I am much slower now. Two things have changed for me: 1) I am older and 2) I am not consistent.
• No strength nor cross-training. I know this is something I need to do and keep saying that I will. Â
The topic for next week – Share some things you’ve learned to love about running?  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!
I don’t stretch after a run, either. Before a run, I need to do a warm-up routine just to get the muscles and tendons going. If I don’t do that, I’m super stiff for the first few minutes.
I’m curious – when do eat for first meal for the day? At lunch time?
I eat when I get home if I don’t have to work or when I get to work.
Yes on all. Except I always eat before I run.
I should have been more clear, but I never eat anything before a short run (Should I?). I make sure to eat something before a longer run.
I am so bad about comparing myself to the runner I was 5-10 years ago! The closer I get to 50 the more my running has changed and it is hard not to compare for sure! I also have a hard time eating before a run, but when I go out for long runs I try to at least eat half a peanut butter sandwich!
I need to stop thinking about the past and focus more on the present.
If I’m just heading out for a regular run, I don’t eat anything either. If it’s a long run, I will eat something like a banana, or oatmeal if I have the time.
I wonder how many runners can actually say, Yes, I warm up, cool down, stretch, foam roll, cross train, strength train… I guess those are the pros. The rest of us are just doing the best we can!
That is true. Running is a hobby and not a job.
Ha! I started my race WAY too fast on Saturday. And oh, how I paid for it in the moment (but the end result was good).
I’ll just have a tiny spoon of peanut butter or similar before I run. When it’s a race, I have more because usually I’m awake longer before hitting the road and I get hungry.
I remember you mentioned the peanut butter in a previous post. I began doing that but then stopped. I cannot remember why.
I think warmups and cooldowns are useless. There. I said it.
Haha, you made me laugh.
Well, those are all things that you can easily improve on! I bet you would feel a lot stronger if you ate something first. 🙂
I know. 🙂
I’m guilty about going out too fast; also I don’t do warmups and cooldowns. I do a lot of cross training,tho.
I love how active you are!