Toxic Traits of Runners
A couple weeks ago I ran a workout that really gave me a sense of accomplishment. The workout wasn’t particularly challenging, but it was a long workout, and I don’t like long workouts.
Since I make up my own workouts, long ones aren’t on the schedule very often. And when they are… I usually don’t get through them.
My Toxic Trait: Impatience
I start the workout and don’t have patience to work through it with restraint. I push the pace.
Poor pacing isn’t the problem for me — I’m not accidentally going too hard that I mess up my workout. I actually choose to do it. Because it’s more fun for me. I like running FAST.
So I might start out with the intent of doing 8-10 hill repeats, but once I get out there, by rep 3 I’m attacking the hill and adjusting the workout, telling myself it’s ok, 5 hills at max effort is just as good as 8-10 moderate intervals.
But the problem is that long workouts are actually important. I know this.
The workout I ran recently was 13x quarter-mile with 1minute jogging rest. I started at a comfortable moderate effort and had the discipline to hold back for many intervals. By the time I got to 8 or 9, I was tired enough that I wasn’t needing to hold back anymore, and by the 13th rep, I was tired and happy to be done. It wasn’t the most fun workout, but it was very good work, and work that I needed to do.
Your Toxic Traits
I did some brainstorming and also asked other runners for some of their toxic traits. Here’s a list (in no particular order)— do any of them resonate with you?
#1. Skipping (not doing) Strides. Let me clarify that I mean strides after a run, not as a part of a warmup. I suspect this is the most common toxic trait. I don’t know if it’s because strides seem like hardly any running compared to a base run, and they are. But they are important because strides fill a gap that the regular easy running doesn’t fill. Read more here:
Related: Running Strides
#2. Procrastinating the Run: Pushing the run back all day long and then feeling too full and tired during the run.
#3. Running Faster/ Harder because you’re “in a rush”: As if running 20 seconds per mile for an 8 mile run is saving a lot of time. But it’s definitely turning the easy run into a not-so-easy run.
#4. Too Much Optimism: Jumping into workouts that really are too hard or don’t fit your training plan. If you have running friends this can be hard to resist.
#5. Post-Workout Fasting: Getting back from a run or workout, taking a shower, flopping down on the couch or rushing out the door without eating a proper meal and rehydrating. This is a pretty bad habit that makes recovery slower, and can lead to RED-S.
Related: Nutrition & Hydration: Post-Workout
#6. Lack of Preparation: Includes always forgetting to charge your watch, and not reviewing the workout in advance.
#7. ALWAYS doing the maximum (or always doing the minimum): The first leaves no room for listening to your body, the second slows down the progress you could be making.
#8. Rushing Your Warmup: Unfortunately our bodies don’t really work this way. If we rush through the warmup (or reduce the warmup) we just end up using the start of the workout to continue warming up. The pace feels harder and the splits are slower until we are properly warmed up. If you’re in a rush, skip the cooldown instead.
Related: Warmup & Cooldown
Nicole Sifuentes is a full-time Running Coach for adults of all ages and abilities. She is a former professional runner and 2-time Olympian, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Read more about her services, and schedule your free coaching consultation.