“When you run, you build a better body and a better mind. Everything is better”, says Stéphane Yato, specialist in the 400 meter hurdles who provides advice within the Parisian structure Urban Challenge. Only, for everything to go better, you have to start by running correctly. Or at least avoid making the three most common mistakes according to the expert.
Running in unsuitable shoes
Your sneakers are certainly very pretty and their soles seem streamlined for sport, but that is not enough for running in good conditions. “It is the first cause of tendonitis and inflammation, explains the coach. It is necessary to choose shoes suitable for runningwith foam and sometimes a carbon plate that absorbs shocks. »
Especially, by the way, if you’re running around town, because “The concrete kills the tendons. And this ends up affecting the ankles, the knees, the pelvis etc.” So don’t hesitate to equip yourself properly, even when opting for entry-level shoes. After all, they are made for that!
Not hydrating (and eating) regularly
You know it: driving on the reserve of your car and waiting for the last moment to refuel damages its engine. Well, the same goes for your body: “People often tend to wait until they are thirsty to drink. However, this is a mistake. When you do a certain number of kilometers, the body needs water. It is its fuel.” However, this fuel alone is not enough: “We also need to eat. When you don’t think about it, you get tired, you recover badly, and you can have a headache.”
To avoid hypoglycemia, do not hesitate to eat a dry fruit (an apricot or a fig for example) from 3 or 4 kilometers traveled.
Forgetting to work on your posture
“Typically, people come out of their homes and just start running after a little warm-up,” notes Stéphane Yato. The problem ? Some unresolved postural issues can cause great pain. This is the case, for example, when you force your knees unnecessarily or run on tiptoe (a braking position).
“Before running, you must therefore take 10 or 20 minutes to do foot work, but also strengthening the knees or the pelvis. These are real ranges that you can integrate by taking a few lessons. Not learning them , it’s like passing the license without reading the highway code!”. And risk, therefore, certain accidents.
