The other day I got a text message from my friend Sandy who is running her first 1/2 marathon in a few weeks.  She was regretting her choice of snacks at the Saturday night hockey game.  ”That would be a good guest post” I told her.  She was nice enough to write a great post about running from the newbie’s perspective.   For those of you reluctant and newbie runners, you are not alone.

My Top 4 Rookie Mistakes

My name is Sandy and I am a rookie runner. With that said, I feel it is ok to air my rookie mistakes for all other runners to snicker at and nod their heads in acknowledgement that they, too, were once rookies and didn’t know what the heck they were doing.

I’m training for my first half marathon—well, technically, this is my second first training. My first rookie mistake came about last year when I attempted to train for my first-first half. Running Mama was kind enough to sign up with me, helped me develop a running plan for the rookiest of rookies and well… let’s just say rookie mistakes cut my dreams of completing a half marathon short. I’m back at it again this year as a continuing rookie but still learning along the way.

Mistake #1: Overdoing it. I was so gung-ho to run my first race that I didn’t listen to my body. I knew something was off, my knees were aching with sharp pains and I ran anyway. My determination to push through the pain actually set me back nearly a year.

Mistake #2: Cheaping out on shoes. If you think about it, running is a relatively inexpensive sport. I dabbled in golf for a while and I paid out for the good clubs, the good balls, the lessons, the buckets at the range. I never blinked at the price. So when it came down to running and the only real gear I needed was running shoes, why did I look at the price tag? I was not properly fitted for shoes because I opted for the cheaper pair. BIG BIG mistake, which led to the knee pain. It’s so important to be properly fitted for shoes. Having someone who is knowledgeable assess the way your foot lands when you walk or run and can help fit you with the right shoes with the necessary stability is key.

Mistake #3: Not eating properly. I am still struggling with this one. I still haven’t figured out the necessity for carbs, electrolytes, protein—all of it! I do know that hot dogs, Dr. Peppers and popcorn at a hockey game the night before a long run is not smart. I learned that one the hard way this past weekend. Oh and I’ve also learned that drinking like a sophomore in college before a run isn’t so smart either.

Mistake #4: Not admitting you need help for fear of looking foolish. My biggest fear as a runner is that I’m slower than everyone else. I’m afraid that if I ask a more experienced runner to do a run with me that I would be holding him/her back. I know that I would benefit from having someone run along side me and encourage me to keep moving when I tell myself it’s ok to stop. I know that I could benefit from just experience of others. I forget that running is a community sport. Runners, though we often run individually, are there to support one another. Everyone starts out a mile at a time—sometimes a quarter mile at a time. No one wakes up one day and can complete a marathon. I need to remember that there are no dumb questions, there are only rookie questions.