10 Things Runners Should Know but Probably Don't

There are things you learn, along the way in running, that you really wish you'd learnt earlier! So why not benefit from our mistakes and take the short cut but learning our top 10 things runners should know but probably don't!

And the deal is, if any of the 10 are new to you... consider subscribing... or not... whatever... it's all gravy either way

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[theunknown]

I found out the hard way that a long afternoon nap(full sleep cycle) before my long runs helped me massively. I ran faster and wasn't as fatigued. Even a short 15min nap really helps. Naps are very underrated imo.

[giovanbattistafichera]

1. Heart rate is individual (don't compare and don't use 220-age nor your watch presets)
2. There are different types of shoes for different runners (stability shoes for pronators or more cushion for supinators or neutral)
3. There is no "objectively bad technique" in running. If you run and you don't feel pain or get injured, your technique is alright.
4. Runner's knot
5. Injury might not be the origin of the problem
6. If you train for trail running, running downhill is as important as training uphill
7. Caffeine is a good performance enhancer (cut coffee back before race day so that your body responds to it more)
8. Sleep is a superpower. The better you sleep, the better you recover (sleep between 7-11h). Less than 7 is not enough.
9. Foot care is a priority (moisturise, regular pedicure and massage)
10. Your gut is trainable (you can train your gut to get used to the gels that work for you)

[ScherziDoll]

one of my hamstrings been hurting for a few weeks now and i’ve been stretching it everyday with no help lol. i’m gonna try to let it heal by resting it now!

[shay_starlessxsea]

It took me a lot of years of trying to change my footstrike and ending up with injury after injury, to realise that my heelstrike isn't necessarily a bad thing if it works for me. 4 years of just running how feels good and no injuries 👌🏻

[thepsychologist]

No.6 - Absolutely agree with this, and here's a recent example. In my local area we had a lot of rain (I mean, a lot) rendering my local circuits/trails 'un-runable' in my humble opinion (plus where I live we have these pesky birds called magpies that swoop during Spring season) so I decided to train for my next HM entirely on the treadmill. Surprisingly I actually achieved a pretty good time (1:33:41), but one thing I did notice during the race was how tired and achy my legs got so early. I put this down to one main thing - ZERO downhill training. Of course, the impact force of running on the road was probably another factor, but the strength your legs gain when doing downhill running shouldn't be under-estimated and in fact, should be incorporated during weekly training particularly when doing hill repeats (always jog back down when doing hill repeats). Another way to get this exposure is to run cross-country courses ... it's amazing how many people train exclusively/mostly on an athletics' track and then wonder why they don't do too well when running an event.

[coldbrewcyclingcrew]

Love that you're running in Thailand and showing all the different places where you can run, be that a running path or just on the streets/road. I live in the Philippines and we have similar running options. Unless you go out somewhere where there are trails, if you live in the city, you're left with the streets and roads.

[michaelmacleod]

This made me laugh. I did my first ultra marathon and a sports therapist told me a few weeks before the event what the top hole in my trainers were for. I had no idea!! The extra ankle support was useful.

[OnepieceofRivia]

Thanks. Some of the best insights and it’s not even on running itself but all the supporting characters

[BGNewsReporter]

Thank you so much for this video! I've had blister problems for YEARS and tried all kinds of ways to prevent them. After trying the runners loop and moisturizing my feet, 5 runs later I've had zero problems! Thank you!! Wishing you guys a happy and healthy 2023

[RobE]

I have lost track of the number of medical professionals that still trot out both the 220- age calc for max HR or a reliance on a BMI measure! Im tempted to put off work medicals because I can’t be bothered to have the same conversation again about why it’s a load of nonsense. Oh that and the food pyramid… another classic 😂😂. Anyway thanks for the running inspiration and wishing you both a healthy and happy 2023.

[williamcurtis]

Currently an avid cyclist but once love to run and now looking at getting back to running love the videos!

[Stormbrise]

The heal lock is something I have been using since the 90s. I have narrow heals and a lot of shoes my heal always slip in. So I look for the second hole. If my foot is slipping, I will use it. If the last actually built more for my foot, then I do not need it. However, 90% of the time I need it.

[willneverforgets]

Specifically training the downhills has helped me improve SIGNIFICANTLY!!! I used to suffer downhill and be really slow and hurting... I absolutely agree! Thanks for your videos!

[drjeckel]

Repping the Bengals shirt today, love it, who dey!? Great list; more stuff for me to implement as I begin training for my second marathon.

[stephenrose]

Merry Christmas Mary and Ben! Thank you for inspiring, motivating and challenging me with your videos and views. You smashed 2022 and can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store. ❤

[lewislabuff]

The technique point is so true, I got made fun of constantly in highschool for my goofy forrest gump technique for long runs, but I've been running since 2010 with zero injury and still going, have a great ride friendos

[mattschm]

There’s nothing worse than a long downhill 5-6 km with 1000m downhill after 30km with 2400m uphill. That was really brutal especially because it was very hard ground

[CoachJurieW]

Great video guys! I am running my first ever marathon this weekend and I am super excited for it. I've always enjoyed running, but gave up on long distance running many years ago! A colleague challenged me in April 2022 to run an ultra 56km in Cape Town South Africa this year...looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[egled]

This is the very first Youtube video I watched in 2023. Thank You very much and have a wonderful year, may all your dreams and plans come true. (Actually I did not know, that it's not good to stretch an injured muscle, thank you).

[bradhawn]

A great video for the year end. I struggled with a strained piriformas since August. It was only when I stopped stretching it that it healed up. I am new to running so your videos are very informative.