In most areas of my life I’m a rule follower. I get to the airport two hours early, even if it usually means spending 90 minutes at the gate. I don’t try to sneak 11 items into the 10-items-or-less express line. Even in my work as an attorney, most of my counseling involves helping clients use the rules to their advantage rather than get away with breaking them. But when it comes to running, there are at least five running rules I always break.
Running in New York City alone before dawn.
2. I listen to music. I guess this is another safety rule that I break, but unless I am running with friends, I always listen to music when I run. With my Yurbuds I can hear ambient noise, and I do pay attention to my surroundings, so I don’t really believe that it’s a safety issue. (Check out my summer playlist ideas!). The music energizes me, lifts my spirits, and helps keep me going.
3. I don’t eat before I run. I know that proper fuel is important, but I usually don’t eat before I run unless I’m running longer than 6 miles. For my weekday runs, I roll out of bed, drink water while I walk my dog, and head out for my run. And, unless it’s race day, I never have coffee before a run. I’d rather just get out there and enjoy my coffee when I’m done.
A typical pre-race breakfast.
4. I don’t stretch. I think most of us know that stretching before a run is no longer encouraged (although dynamic stretching is), but I think stretching after a run still is generally believed to be beneficial. But, I just don’t do it. On weekdays, I’m in too much of a hurry to jump in the shower and get ready for work, and on weekends I’m eager to sit down with my coffee and catch up on social media, although I try to make myself at least do a few yoga stretches while my coffee brews.
5. I don’t follow a training plan. After a few years of running, I figured out that my rule-following nature worked against me when it came to training plans, because I felt compelled to follow the plan no matter what. I would ignore twinges and aches to get in the miles, speed work, hills, and cross-training workouts, then find myself with an over-training injury, like plantar fascitis, ITB syndrome, or piriformis syndrome (the ultimate pain in the a$$!). I know now that training plans are best used as a guide, workouts can be skipped once in an while, and rest days should be added at the first sign of injury or fatigue, but I’ve been doing well with my own “plans” that usually involve 3 days/week running (1 hill or speed workout, 1 long run), 2-3 days/week strength training, and 1-2 days/week cycling.
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I’m linking up with the Friday Five link up hosted by Eat Pray Run DC, Mar on the Run and You Signed Up for What!
Are there running rules that you break?
Are there rules you always follow?
Don’t forget to stop by the Ultimate Coffee Date Link Up this weekend and get August off to a great start!
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I break the same rules! Especially running before eating & not following a training plan! Great list!
Guilty on all 5 counts. Except with marathon training. When they say respect the distance, I do. And that includes strictly following my training plan. That way, I can’t blame myself it things go wrong.
I know what you mean about wanting to follow at plan exactly how it is written! That is why this time around I am working with a coach- I hope that I will learn to be more flexible or at least I will have a coach be able to tell me when I need to back off!
Yes! I coach would be a good balance of structure and flexibility.
I am pretty much a rule follower. I hardly ever run on an empty stomach and never run unless it is daylight and where there is lots of people… else I am way too nervous that someone is going to jump out of the bushes ! And since I run with lots of people around, I always listen to music.
I am guilty as charged on these as well. I used to be so good about stretching. Now not so much.
I am the exact opposite on most of your list. I am seriously working on #5 & getting better about it . . . I’m not type A, yet somehow I am when it comes to running.
Weird.
I do run with traffic sometimes to give my knees a break. In my neighborhood, where there isn’t a lot of traffic.
Someone’s got to follow the rules. 😉
LOL, I’m with you on most of these. I love running alone and I only stretch if I start feeling an injury or unusual tightness coming on. And your breakfast looks just like mine! I love PB on a blueberry Kashi waffle and some coffee.
I run alone, as well. It is too hard for me to coordinate schedules with my crazy commute. I occasionally miss the camaraderie but mostly I like the alone time to clear my head.
I was surprised at how many MRTT mamas were will to meet at 5:00 am for a run, but it still requires coordination and planning.
I’m so bad about stretching.. I know it is so important but I rarely do it. Lately I’ve been trying to foam roll more- which has really helped me!
Huh, I don’t do any of those either. I didn’t realize I was being a rebel! Guess what rebellious thing I did this morning? Did a 4 mile shakeout before race day instead of 2 miles. UH OH. 🙂
Good luck with your race!! I’m not sure I could ever do a 2 mile run. 3 seems to be my minimum. 😉
Oh my! I break the first 4! I do my early morning runs by myself and when I travel I run by myself (drives my boss crazy!) no breakfast if I am out less than an hour- coffee only! Gotta have music and getting dressed is as warmed up as I get! 🙂 TGIF rule breaker!
Ahh stretching. I don’t before or after. I know, horrible!! I also love to run alone, and I also run with my Yurbuds and tunes!! I tried once to run without music and I hated every minute of those 3 miles!
I do follow a training plan when I’m training for a big race. I need the consistency!
I really enjoy listening to music while I run. #SorryNotSorry
your untraditional approach seems to work for you! Keep it up 🙂
I break alot of those rules as well. I always run with music. And with my hectic work schedule I never follow a training plan for my marathons. I just run when I can.
That’s why I love running – much easier to fit in than cycling.
I must be a rule breaker too. I’m with you on all points. I loosely follow a plan, but change it up so much I guess I really don’t. I agree we should listen to our body and not just get the run in because that’s what it says!
But it’s still nice to have a plan as a starting point, right? I think I do the same thing with recipes. I want one to start with but will change it up nine ways to Sunday.
Oh my gosh! This is me! I break all those rules as well! Do you think they can really be “rules” when it appears from the comments that you have hit on the norm? Great post!
I’m not sure if all the rule-breakers who commented mean that the rules aren’t really rules or that most of my friends are rule-breakers! 😉
I’m with you on the first 3. I did follow the training plans from my running coach when I worked with one, and now I’ve created my own to follow. I’m also working on the post-run stretching at the PT’s insistence.
You’re such a rebel! LOL
I break some of the same rules! I try my best to always stretch but sometimes I get caught up and don’t have time!
hahaha, I definitely break the food-before-running, not stretching, and not having a training plan too! 😛
You are so on the mark, Coco. I can relate to running alone and while listening to music- been doing both most of the time before. But now, I’m jogging with my baby in a stroller (while still listening to music), so I guess it makes me super guilty on your second point. Haha! Thanks for a great post! 🙂
I’m completely with you on all but the music. I just really enjoy having my ears open to the sounds of nature, as well as being aware of my surroundings, just in case. But I think running should be individualized to fit the runner, which means making your own rules (or breaking others!).