Why Your Running Sessions Aren't Going to Plan?

Whether your reason for running is training for a marathon or in order to improve upon your physical fitness, it can be frustrating when your running sessions don't go to plan. There are many reasons as to why this may be happening and often you may find that a simple fix is needed.

Beginner Runners

First of all, it is important not to give up on your running sessions when you aren't seeing the results that you want. If you are a beginner runner, it can take up to eight weeks before you start noticing a change in your fitness levels. Your body needs this time to adjust to the change in physical activity that you are putting it through.

It is also important to start listening to your body if this starts to happen. More often than not, our bodies will let us know when it needs time to recover especially in the case of overtraining. Your training plan for it should include a healthy mix of long runs, easy runs, strength training days and rest days. Not giving your body the time needed to recover can often lead to accumulated fatigue. If this is the reason for a bad running session, giving yourself extra recovery time will ensure that you are in optimal health for your next session and will also make you a better runner in the long term.

Sometimes, a bad training session is just that. The physical component of running is often not the most challenging part. Most runners don't realise that their mind plays a huge part in the performance of their running sessions. If you are feeling stressed or had a bad night of sleep this can make it sometimes impossible for a runner to reach their goals. The most important thing is to not dwell on the bad training session and focus on planning for your next running session.

Tips for a balanced running plan

Stepping back and re-evaluating your training plan can help you to ensure that you are keeping your training sessions on track. If you feel that it is your running technique that needs improvement, a biomechanical assessment may be of benefit to you.

It is also important to make sure that you are getting the right amount of energy that you need before and after running sessions. Your meal plan should be just as important as your training plan. Not eating or drinking enough water can hamper your energy levels and therefore your training plan.

Here at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic, our physiotherapists are trained in ensuring that you are getting the most out of your running sessions. If you have suffered a running related injury or wish to your running technique evaluated, contact us here to book an appointment.