Take It From Me

I haven't had much motivation to write here this week. So, today, I'm taking a topic infusion from the Runners' Lounge blog: "the basics of running." Why you would take advice from me, I don't know. But while you're here ...

Don't Run Like This

• Don't wear old/crappy/too small shoes or your first step will be toward injury.
• Don't think too much about how you're running. All this foot-strike and proper posture nonsense will just get in the way of your natural stride. Repetition, strength, fitness and experience have a tendency to fix your running problems.
• Don't change your pre-run routine the day of a race. You're just asking for a suckfest.
• Don't pretend that you're faster than you know yourself to be. (See "suckfest.")
• Don't beat yourself up over a bad run or race performance. Learn what you did wrong and don't do it again.

Do Run Like This

• Do warm up and stretch. You won't hurt as much.
• Do vary your runs to avoid staleness. Routine is good, ruts are not.
• Do set goals to motivate yourself to run better. Otherwise, you're getting nowhere.
• Do learn to dress appropriately for the weather. Too hot or too cold make for a craptastic run.
• Do remember to run well and drink well. A good, cold beer is a fine way to replace carbs and fluids.

Perhaps most important: For the love of all that you hold dear, run outside when you can! Turn off the television, shoot your treadmill, and rip up your gym membership. The huffing and puffing tastes better outside. And if you're going to race, you might as well get used to the surface.

These are all simple suggestions to help you better enjoy your running journey. If you want advice on how to get faster and lose weight, you'll have to go elsewhere. I'm still trying to figure those out myself.

[Drunkard note: This is the first of the Runners' Lounge Take It and Run Thursday series. Go there to find more tried and true running tips. Back in October, I wrote another advice post inspired by the Runners' Lounge. For my simplistic view on racing, go here.]