25 Things I’ve Learned About Running

Running has been part of my life for a very long time. I was a runner for the majority of my youth and have been for all of my adult life. I have learned and grown so much, and I continue to learn valuable things about running almost every day. There are so many tidbits I’ve cherished along the way, but here are 25 key points that stand out.

Lessons in Running–And In Life

1. Strength training really does make you become a faster, better runner.
2. Don’t hesitate to go to physical therapy for pre-hab.
3. A race time is not necessarily indicative of your fitness.
4. Finding the right running shoe will save you a lot of heartache.
5. Epsom salt baths are your best friend.
6. Roll your muscles a little bit every day.
7. Dynamic stretching is key no matter how long you’ve been running.
8. EVERY single second counts in a race, so just keep pushing.
9. No matter where you are in your running, you really can do great things if you want it bad enough and you believe in yourself. That can be hard to execute, but it IS possible.
10. It can take years (and years) to become the runner you want to be. The most important thing is to be happy in the moment, enjoy the small victories along the way and keep smiling through the hard parts.
11. Give back to the sport more than you take.
12. Good running socks are like gold.
13. Cherish running with good friends.
14. Running at dawn is magical.
15. Always be a sponge in our sport: you really can learn a lot of valuable information, no matter how long you’ve been running.
16. Choose a running coach carefully and wisely.
17. Replace your running bras often.
18. The watch is a tool–use it for what it is, but for the most part forget that it’s there (and leave it at home often).
19. Be thankful for access to a treadmill. (As a runner who used to HATE the treadmill, I am now so grateful for it. Sometimes my life as a mom gets in the way, and I’m now able to use that machine with a smile.)
20. Sleep is important to successful running. We have the food piece dialed in, but how much emphasis do we place on sleep?
21. Take excellent care of your feet.
22. You really will become a better runner if you incorporate yoga into your routine.
23. If someone is snobby to you over something as beautiful as running, you don’t need them. Consequently, don’t be a snobby runner. Humility goes a long way in running and in life.
24. Your children really are watching.
25. A sunset run is priceless.

What are some key points that you have learned or that mean a lot to you about our sport? Tweet @womensrunning and @natrunsfar and share them with us!

As always, I wish you happy running!