Running advice. We all get it. Whether we want it or not.
Sometimes we choose to get it when we read Runner's World each month. Other times we solicit it by asking a question on a blog, Facebook or Twitter. Other times, people just give it to us. My favorite is the non-runner advice about my running. But sometimes the advice we get is exactly what we need.
Yet I was reminded of something yesterday. While I was in a meeting (obviously not paying attention), I started reading one of the the monthly "inspiration" pages in my running calendar. It talked about the danger of tinkering with your running form. Just a week or so ago, I read about how much a runner had improved by changing his form. While I haven't come to any conclusions about which side of the fence I'm on when it comes to this debate, I reminded myself that it's up to me which side to be on. That is something I have to decide for myself.
Most of us bloggers are just speaking from experience. And while some have additional training as a running coach or fitness professional (as in my case), our knowledge is still not gospel. What works for one person may not work for everyone. So take any and all running advice in stride (ha, ha). And always, always do what works for you.
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Sometimes we choose to get it when we read Runner's World each month. Other times we solicit it by asking a question on a blog, Facebook or Twitter. Other times, people just give it to us. My favorite is the non-runner advice about my running. But sometimes the advice we get is exactly what we need.
Yet I was reminded of something yesterday. While I was in a meeting (obviously not paying attention), I started reading one of the the monthly "inspiration" pages in my running calendar. It talked about the danger of tinkering with your running form. Just a week or so ago, I read about how much a runner had improved by changing his form. While I haven't come to any conclusions about which side of the fence I'm on when it comes to this debate, I reminded myself that it's up to me which side to be on. That is something I have to decide for myself.
Most of us bloggers are just speaking from experience. And while some have additional training as a running coach or fitness professional (as in my case), our knowledge is still not gospel. What works for one person may not work for everyone. So take any and all running advice in stride (ha, ha). And always, always do what works for you.
Have you voted for me today? Only one week of begging left. You can vote once a day until June 1st!
Hey - I think that is good advice :)
ReplyDeleteI find that so true, and some times I have those "professionals" giving me "input" when I blog, tweet, or post something on Facebook. I am not a professional and like you mentioned, when I blog I talk about my experiences and I am always open for input and advice. It does get old when I have people constantly correcting everything I write. What is strange is most of the time these people have even less experience than I do though. One I think of in particular hasn't been around lately so I have been feeling a little less intrusion :)
by golly, I have the same calendar! And since we both seem to actually be reading it according to date, I just read that exact same thing yesterday. I found it interesting too, as I had recently asked someone if it is ever recommended that one change their running form -- rather than buy a certain arch/type of shoe -- to prevent injuries.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, I have been told my whole life that I have great running form. It definitely comes naturally, not something I learned or worked on. So in that sense, it makes a lot of sense to me that the best way to run is the one that automatically comes forth when one puts one foot in front of the other...
I totally agree! You just have to take what works for you. I try not to give unsolicited advice for the same reason. :)
ReplyDeleteI listen to my coaches and the hubs...they both know where I want to improve my form and I trust their opinions. I find my non-running friends seem to have an awful lot of advice about running...all bad and incorrect!
ReplyDeleteThis is the perfect way to take this on, Candice. Decide what works for you and don't be influenced by what everyone/anyone else is doing!
ReplyDeleteSuch good advice. Running is such an individualized thing that you just have to find what works for you. I am one of those that did tinker with my running style but only because what I was doing wasn't working for me. It was hard and it took a long time but I feel like it has worked out better for me. But again, that's just me. :)
ReplyDeleteI tried messing with my form once because of all the hype that was around correcting form and it made things worse. I have since decided to go with my gut on things or seek the advice of real professionals instead of those that just play one on blogger. :)
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more with this. Everyone is SOOO different and what works for one person does not always work for someone else.
ReplyDeleteIt is really all about trial and error in my opinion.