QUESTIONABLE ADVICE
By Jack Gray

I value those sources that provide us with good advise on running issues, and the more practical the better. I read religiously almost every periodical I can find in search of something I think would be helpful. Many times I will cut out and save articles for future reference. I file training tips and information about running injuries. I would imagine that many of you do the same.

Have you noticed, however, how conflicting and sometimes contradictory some of the advice is? Sometimes in the same issue of a given magazine we will be advised to do things diametrically oppose to one another. It leaves you in a quandary about what to do. Even the research about our sport is constantly changing. Foods you were urged to eat, vitamins you were advised to take, and training programs that were touted to be the very best: all go in and out of favor in a matter of months. Things we were advised not to eat are now recommended instead of not drinking enough, you are suddenly warned about over drinking and the deadly danger of hyponatremia. Just when we feel we need all the help we can get, we are made to wonder who we can trust about anything.

One of our problems is of too much generalization. Most sports magazines focus primarily on elite runners training for major events. Their programs may be interesting and exciting but they certainly do not fit everyone. They may not even come close to what you need to be doing as an average runner; and even more rare is anything directed towards older runners. The advice, therefore, must be recognized as fitting mostly one group of runners, under one set of circumstances. We get in trouble when we try to make it apply to everyone, under varying circumstances. Consider for example, these bits of advice that are often espoused today.

1: LOOK AT THE HORIZON. "Keep your head up and your focus far down the trail". "Never look at your feet". Some of this is extremely valid. We have dealt before with the importance of keeping your head up and stress off the diaphragm, but I have plenty of scars from not watching where I was going. Just a slight rise in a seam of a sidewalk is all it takes; and the less familiar you are with the course or the darker it is, the more important your focus becomes. It seems reasonable to keep your head up, but your eyes down not necessarily on your feet but scanning the road ahead, maybe ten yards or more ahead until a potential problem appears.

2. FORCE FLUIDS RIGHT UP UNTIL RACE TIME. Some recommend 16 to 20 ounces within the last 15 minutes. Frankly, If I did that I might never get away from the starting line! I find it miserable trying to run with a stomach full of water. So the advice might work for someone, but it sure doesn't for me. This means I have to begin to taper my fluid intake about an hour before race time; and have only enough to avoid a dry throat within the last 10 minutes. This doesn't make the advice bad. It just doesn't fit me.

3. ALWAYS BE ABLE TO CARRY ON CONVERSATION IN TRAINING. This is to assume that you are not pressing too hard. Admittedly, I have to avoid treating a train run like a race, but I am also convinced that to run fast in 5Ks you must train hard as well. Long slow runs just don't get it done. This would naturally be different if you were training only for endurance and not speed. If you train hard, there is not going to be much conversation.

4. NEVER TRY TO RUN THROUGH AN INJURY. This is a matter of judgment, depending on the severity of the injury. Personally, I have had very few injuries that totally stopped my running. A number have caused me to reduce mileage, slow the intensity or to avoid competition. I feel better, however, if I can keep running at some level and; if done carefully, I believe aids in a faster recovery. You must use careful judgment in your own case.

5. Please understand that I am not suggesting that my advice is better or wiser than others. Rather ALL ADVICE IS QUESTIONABLE UNTIL IT WORKS FOR YOU. If it doesn't it can be less than worthless. It might even do you harm. So give good-sounding suggestions an honest try, and if you do not see positive results after about three attempts, don't feel obligated to continue. Remember, good advice must fit you, your training program and circumstances. If it does, fine. If it doesn't look elsewhere. Just keep running.