Running is perhaps the ultimate example of a labor of love. Most people who do not run, or do not take part in regular cardiovascular exercise, will often look at the idea of running as only useful if needing to get away from something or someone, or running towards free cash. That's an interesting viewpoint, because while running is embedded in our DNA and was an integral part of humanity's hunting approach for thousands of years, it can feel like a chore to get through during our first few sessions, or even first few weeks.
But then something changes. The idea of running hard and of getting fitter no longer seems like a silly venture, but something that truly helps us connect and improve our physical and mental health. This is so true that in some cases, it's more than possible to overdo your running practice. If you feel you have this problem, and you're not sure if you're simply running incorrectly or overtraining, consider the following signs and symptoms to help you decide either way:
Injured Feet
Injured feet are not always as easy to recognize as you might imagine. A twisted ankle, for instance, is a very important indicator that something is happening around that area, but other times the growth of an issue can be a problem. Joint damage from poor running form may only be identified when you continually have soreness in your ankles, or healing blisters on soles of feet may be required after careful inspection of the skin after you struggle to walk one morning. Care for your feet, keep them hygienic, take a break when needed, and ensure you follow best running practice.
Struggling Performance
Struggling performance can indicate you're not resting well enough, or getting enough good nutrition that is necessary to heal before your next running session. However, it may also be that you're suffering from other issues, such as depressive tendencies, or the onset of an illness, or maybe even from overtraining. For instance, if you run every other day, make sure to take the weekend off from time to time. Seeing your doctor and tweaking your lifestyle habits, even if that's completely reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, can have an effect.
A Real Chore
is supposed to be fun! If you begin hating it, it could be that you are overtraining, or that you're not getting enough sleep, or that you need a change of scenery, or that you're not challenging yourself enough via your pacing, run time, or how long you go for. Additionally, running shouldn't be considered as the only viable cardiovascular practice you can get involved with. Rowing machines, riding a bicycle, swimming, all of these can help us enjoy exercise in a varied way, and this might help us come back to our original practice with renewed enjoyment. Additionally, from time to time, a deload week can be tremendously useful when you need a break.
With this advice, we hope you can better avoid overdoing your running practice.