Six common runner dreads and their quick fixes

Running is great but it doesn't come without its obstacles. Here are solutions to some of your classic runner dreads.

Sinead Mulhern March 1, 2017

While we love the sport and the lifestyle that comes with taking up running, it’s not always easy. Every runner has their list of things that they struggle with in order to keep their fitness level high– some petty, others, more serious. If you’re that person who dreads the early morning alarm clock or that insidious hill on your route, for example, you’re part of a large group. Here are just a few things that runners have come to dread… along with the solutions on how to get around these hurdles.

Hills.

If you hate hills, you’re not alone. Maybe hate is too strong a word to describe your relationship with the steep incline that marks the fourth kilometre of your weekly long run… Either way, if you’re not totally ecstatic to tackle that long and torturous uphill, you’re not a lost cause.

The solution: Pay better attention to your form, and don’t ignore the arms. Pumping the arms for a stronger arm swing is a wise tactic to use on hills. With regards to form, focus less on pace and more on making sure not to let the legs and hips collapse. Oh, and keep in mind, the more hills you do, the better you get at them and that will lead to you being less daunted by them.

Full-body strength.

Runners are notorious for hating the gym sessions or muscle work. For some, the problem is a) that they simply don’t enjoy it or b) they don’t feel that they’re good at it. You can run for miles but when it comes to picking up a weight, it feels that your fitness is lacking. We get it.

The solution: Find the activity that’s going to make it fun. If weights, squats and burpees aren’t your thing, stop pushing it. Commit to a Saturday morning yoga flow class that’s going to make you work. Or, strap on a harness and head to the climbing gym where you’ll use your own body weight as resistance.

Intense ab workouts.

You’ve heard it many times: a stronger core makes for better form. If you’re that person who still ignores the ab circuits, we feel your pain.

The solution: Luckily, a good core workout doesn’t have to take an agonizing amount of time. Setting aside as little as eight minutes a few days a week is enough to make a significant impact. Start the timer and do a different core exercise (leg lifts, curl-ups, planks) for each minute. Aim for no breaks.

Taking time off for injury.

No one likes being injured. Being sidelined because of injury is incredibly difficult. Many runners adhere to their routine like clockwork and having that disruption is a major disappointment. Dreading the time off to allow an injury to heal is a completely normal reaction.

The solution: Focus on something else. Perhaps there’s a hobby you’ve been ignoring or there’s a cross-training activity you’ve wondered about but have yet to try. This could also be the opportune time to look back on past workout stats or training log entries. You don’t have to lose touch with your running just because you’re injured!

Getting up early.

There’s this common misconception that all runners are early risers. You know it’s a myth because waking up early seems to be the most unnatural thing for you. Dread the early wake-up call? We can solve this.

The solution: The obvious solution is to go to bed earlier but a good tip for the non-morning runner is to give yourself something to look forward to. Make your favourite breakfast ahead of time, put the coffee pot on a timer or set aside an interesting read to engage in for 15 minutes to start your day off on the right note.

Meeting up with that runner who challenges your pace

It’s not that you dread meeting up with that speedster partner of yours but it may make you a little nervous at times. Oftentimes when meeting up with your faster friend, you can be a bit fearful of feeling exhausted or not being able to keep up. Most runners have felt this at one point or another.

The solution: Keep in mind that having a running partner who is just that little bit faster than you is conducive to quicker running. Actually, this is an ideal situation so consider yourself lucky.