5 things I wish I knew when I started running

👉 Get my training plan for my last ultra for free here:

👉 Want a deep dive into the strength training I do during a training block? Check out 'Mountain Strong' here:

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
00:09 - No one cares
01:48 - Don't neglect this!
03:24 - Ten Thousand
04:07 - Eat LOTS
05:19 - Smart vs hard
06:26 - KISS
07:11 - Bonus tip

[bev]

I've always been a fan of Eleanor Roosevelt's quote “You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” One of the truly great lessons in life and the true meaning of freedom is to not care about what others think of you!!! AND as you say, other runners are almost always only thinking encouraging supportive things anyway, it's sooo true!!!! I gotta say you shocked me there Chris how late you finally started prioritising strength training, and yeah now you know why it's so addictive... you feel AWESOME!!! Blows my mind how many runners do none at all, truly!!! You might remember I add yoga to that too, and I'm in the process of completing my second year in a row of 6000km for the year, completely totally injury free!!! ☺🤩 It's my birthday today, I'm 62, born in 1962, so I'm off now to run 62km (a new record for me!!)... isn't that an AWESOME way to celebrate?!!!🎉😃💪🏃‍♀💪😃🎉

[UppityRib]

Excellent tips - I learned most of them the hard way, too... Although for me, your first tip would be "MOST people don't care." I have an 80-year old aunt who is fascinated by my distance running and she does ask me about my times, paces, etc. However, she's also a hard-core data geek (the type who thinks there can never be enough stats about anything!) so she's def an exception; the rest of my family couldn't care less😉

[lucycartwright]

Great video. I managed to run myself into the ground and injury by not eating enough, having lost weight by cutting calories and carbs I didn’t add back enough of either when I upped my running volume. Felt like I had low grade depression / flu for a few months and then got plantar fasciitis which finished me off. I’ve spent the last few months focusing on strength training, but watching this video I’m reminded how much I love running. I think I’ll pop out tomorrow for an easy run and see how it feels. Thank you!

[michaeljudd]

Thanks for that advice Chris, after 2 years of running that advice has reset and refocus my training, and how going to move forward.

[khours]

I completely agree about the difference between feeling fitter vs feeling stronger. That was what tipped the scales for me, causing me to commit fully to an exercise routine...

[AnthonyBates-fm]

Thank you for this. I have been running for 7 months now and have arrived at a similar approach to the variety of runs each week. Just about to start some core strength training...

[juan]

Great advice. These types of insights are very important to find, I am glad you did and thank you for sharing them. Happy running! Enjoy!

[HFidelity-rqry]

2010 I did the biggest reboot of my life preparing ro cycle the coast of Norway. The first year I built up a base strength by living in a tent and carrying everything with me, including the camp every day. During winter I carried almost half my bodyweight in gear and food. The snow was almost a metre and the temperature around -25C. I ate around 7000-8000kcal per day. The second year I caped in a car but kept on running, and walking with a heavy backpack. Also without it. Worked out every day, every second day swimming. I have never been as fit as then. I cycled between 130-200km per day, a bit shorter in the mountains. Now I will be 50 years old next year and progress is very slow when trying to build up my body again. Now I was struggling to cycle 100km without gear, so my fitness has decayed very fast. So, folks: Keep on working out. No matter what the goal is, it is allways better to do something than to do nothing.

[oneworldfamily]

Thanks so much for this, Chris. Great to see you back.
Best wishes, Adam (Sheffield)

[cookerobturnerxG]

The strength thing is so true, 80km into my first 100km I was thanking my strength training and having strong legs and core more than any thought about my aerobic fitness

[UtahRunning]

We definitely struggle on the strength training aspect. That's something that we are hoping to focus more on this next training block. Great video!

[PZJBimha]

Thank you !!! Running makes me happy and that's all that matters to me.

[isthiify]

Strength matters!!! No one knows this less than a runner...thank you for highlighting 🎉❤

[daaknait]

Great tips. Probably the only ones most runners need.

[ianl]

Really good advice Chris, I think we're all guilty of letting some of these points slip over time. I'm in a bit of a rest right now. Had a race last night and one more before Xmas but no expectations at all, just trotting along and talking to people.
I seriously need to up my strength training discipline though. I keep vowing to 'do better' and then it just seems to slip again. Some kettle bells at home would help a lot!

[stephenhawe]

Thanks Chris! As a new and older runner any advice is welcomed. I’ll certainly take on board what you’ve said particularly about who cares 😂

[gitgudsec]

Really love this video man, thanks so much. Appreciate your content, your balanced approach of having an idea of what to do, but not being ruled by it really resonates. After all, the point is to have fun and enjoy your life, I'm not gonna become the next Kipchoge at 39 yo ;)

I asked you a question about doing sprints a few months ago, I had just started running. Now heading into winter, glad to share that I did my first two half-marathons (Mt Tremblant and Chapman's Peak), and did my first marathon (Cape Town). My times were not good but the point was to have fun (I did!), and in any case - no one cares ;)

Keep well.

[AubreyRunning]

Hey brother… loved every second of this video and have subscribed. Love your delivery and of course the value in this one!

[Cynthia-gd]

Thank you exactly the information and reminders I was looking for.

[mattbadgerultrarunner]

Man, you're really very good. Thank you