If you have friends who did well in the Collingwood Half Marathon or 10k earlier this month, you may have caught their enthusiasm and want to start running yourself. Those friends may be eager to give you all the latest tips, but be a little careful. There are a lot of running myths out there, and because everyone’s body is different, they may not apply to you. Here are a few common ones you can safely ignore:
Myth #1: You have to sweat hard to get a great workout. The truth is some people perspire a lot more than others to keep their bodies cool. You may be able to get a fine workout without sweating much at all—especially as the temps start to cool in the fall.
Myth #2: It’s safer to train on the treadmill than on pavement. Actually, it’s not the surface so much as repetitive action that can damage your knees. To avoid problems, mix up your routine with cross training in other activities such as swimming or biking that use different muscles and movements.
Myth #3: As long as you feel okay, you are not overdoing it. Many times the results of straining your muscles too far, too soon are not felt until the next day, or even the day after. The best course is to always make any changes gradually, to give your body time to adjust.
Myth #4: Barefoot running reduces injuries. This method of running may be very right for some and very wrong for others. If you aren’t used to it, jumping right in can actually cause more injuries. Let us check your feet and your gait before switching to this mode, so we can help you decide if it is right for you.
Myth #5: Always stretch before running. This one is tricky, because you do want to keep your muscles limber. However, stretching them while they are cold can cause injuries rather than prevent them. You might try some dynamic stretches after you have warmed up a bit first, but save your static stretches for after your run.
Get more running tips from Chiropodist Tony Abbott—an avid runner. Call Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic in Collingwood, ON at (705) 444-9929 or request an appointment on our website. We will help you sort out the running myths from information that you can use.
Photo credit: Stuart Miles via freedigitalphotos.net