Blog July 16, 2019 Tips for better running Hang around serious runners enough and you’ll pick up a few tidbits how to pace yourself, which routes have the cleanest bathrooms, what to wear when the weather is changing more rapidly than an Instagram feed. Related Posts: The Best Women’s Running ShoesThe Best Running Shoes for Flat FeetThe Best Women’s White Sneakers to Buy, From Platform to Running We asked coaches, trainers, nutritionists, and veteran runners to share their strategies. Steal them to run longer, feel lighter, and stay injury-free. Run every day “Consistency is key to a successful program. A daily run helps improve your body’s ability to , along with your biomechanics. It also teaches your mind to blast through any challenge, whether it’s physical or mental.” – Andrew Kastor, a Mammoth Lakes, California, running coach who works with elite runners, including his wife, U.S. Olympian Deena Kastor Give yourself a reason “I started as a Team in Training charity runner, having lost loved ones to cancer. When I’m struggling with my training plans, I remember those who are still fighting their battles, those who have survived in part because of the money raised and those who have been taken from us.” —Kelly Flynn, running coach for Team in Training in Boston Invest in comfort “Get a good sports bra or you’ll feel it with every step. Body Glide balm and too. Nothing kills a run like a blister about to pop.”—Alison Feller, Stay positive “Finish runs feeling strong and happy, not worn-out. It’ll keep you coming back for more and help you .”—Jenny Hadfield, a running coach in Chicago, Find your sweet spot “Write down your , then color-code how they made you feel: yellow for amazing, orange for just OK, and red for total crap. It’s a visual way of seeing how your body responds and will help you pick up patterns. For example, if you’re always orange or red around your period, that’s a sign that you should be doing lighter workouts on those days.”—Jenny Hadfield Foam roll “Use a foam roller three times a week to improve it helps reduce injury better than static stretching.”—Jordan Metzl, MD, sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and author of The Exercise Cure Layer less “Always dress to run like it’s 10 to 15 degrees warmer than it is. As soon as you get out there and get moving, you’ll warm up and be glad you didn’t put on so many layers.” —Kara Goucher, U.S. Olympic marathoner Put off partying “Steer clear of happy hour the day or two before a or big training session. Alcohol significantly impairs sleep quality and hydration levels, as well as recovery.”—Elizabeth Waterstraat, triathlete coach at Multisports Mastery in Chicago Train smart “In order to get , your body needs time to rebuild. Mix easy days with tough, and avoid pushing when your body needs a break.”—Eric Barron, coach of Track Club LA Forget the speedsters “Compare yourself with yourself. There will always be someone faster and leaner and who looks more like a runner than you do. Focus on the improvements you want to make for yourself.”—Chris Heuisler, a running coach in Boston and the RunWestin concierge Down a cup of coffee “For seasoned runners, having has been shown to make workouts seem easier and help the body burn calories more efficiently. Aim for about 3 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight: For a 150-pound woman, that’s about the amount in a 16-ounce coffee.”—Marni Sumbal, RD, a certified triathlon coach and sports nutritionist in Greenville, South Carolina Mind that incline “Never accelerate down a hill. The breaking forces on your body can destroy your knees.”—David Siik, creator of the Precision Running program for Equinox Fitness Be a social runner “Running can be such a solitary pursuit, but there is a real benefit to making a connection with others—and no better way to do that than by running together. Websites like can help you find local groups. Or you can just stop in at your local running store and ask.”—John Heuisler, triathlete coach at Between the Lines in Baltimore Talk to others about running “Tell people your goal. Post it on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Call your mama. Putting yourself on blast keeps you accountable.” —Robin Arzon, a running coach in NYC and founder of Undo-Ordinary running group Just race already “Set a goal to complete a longer race (13.1 miles, 26.2). The crossing of the finish will change your life!” —Jeff Galloway, author of more than 20 books on running, including Running Until You’re 100
