Do These Running Tips Sound Familiar?
If you’re a runner of a certain age, you might recall some tips, tricks, and common practices that have now become obsolete. We’ve created a list for you to relive the glory days and think back fondly on how runners used to do things.
5 Running Myths Busted (But That Used to Be True)
Write Your Splits on Your Arm – Do you remember this one? If you were getting ready to run a race, you might grab a pen and write out your splits on your arm or your hand so that each lap around the track, or at each marker along the race track, you could check the clock and compare it to the splits you’d written down. Hopefully it wouldn’t rain because those splits would start to smudge!- Double-Up on Your Socks – This was common back when running socks were the same as everyday socks. Cotton socks don’t allow for evaporation, but rather cause more sweat to pool around your feet. How did runners cope? They put on two pairs of socks in an attempt to soak up all the pooling sweat.
- A Marathon = A Lost Toenail – One reason runners used to say they didn’t want to run a marathon? They didn’t want to lose their toenails! It was so common an occurrence that it became a hindrance to some runners who refused to go the 26.2-mile distance even if they were capable. Also more common back then? Buying running shoes that had little to no room in the toebox. See a connection?
- Double-Up on Sports Bras – There was a time when women were not allowed to run marathons due to incorrect beliefs in the medical world that…brace yourself…a woman’s uterus could fall out during a 26.2-mile run. Thankfully, that myth was debunked years ago, but back then, products were not up to speed with the needs of running women. The first running sports bra was invented in 1977, and primarily for small-breasted women. The solution? Many women had to double-up and wear two sports bras.
- Static Stretches Before a Run – If you ever ran cross country or track and field back in the day, you might have been told by your coach to circle up with your team and bend down to touch your toes. After that you would’ve done a series of static stretches either standing or seated that we now know are not ideal for warming up prior to a run.
This Not That: Replacing Outdated Running Tips
So, what do we do now instead of what we did back then? Check out the solutions, all products and expertise you’ll find at St. Pete Running Company.
- Smartwatch replaces Splits on Your Arm – Technology has brought a number of changes to the running world, and this is one of the biggest changes. Smartwatches can tell you your pace, distance, heartrate, laps, VO2 Max, training load, and more. Oh, and they do tell time, too.
- Tech socks replace Doubling-Up – No more doubling-up needed! Technical running socks have made incredible advances and meet the needs of runners, starting with wicking fabrics that absorb sweat (no cotton!).
- Better Running Shoes, Proper Shoe Fittings, and Body Glide prevent Lost Toenails – With proper shoe fittings, like the StrideSmart Fitting Process, runners now understand the importance of having a pair of running shoes that fit properly. And thanks to the advances made in running shoes through technology (plus a fantastic product called Body Glide), a marathon is no longer a guarantee of lost toenails.
- Advances in Sports Bras mean Only One Needed – All these great advances in technology have included sports bras for women, which means one sports bra now does the job. Plus, the medical community caught up with the reality of women running. No more false claims that female organs will fall out when women run.
- Dynamic Stretches replace Static Stretches – Advances in physiotherapy and exercise science has led to new running advice when warming up: static stretches like reaching down and touching your toes aren’t ideal. Dynamic stretches are the best type of pre-run warm-up.
Where Can I Find These Solutions?
Look no further than St. Pete Running Company! We’ve got solutions to every one of the busted running myths, including:
- Garmin Smartwatches
- Technical running socks, like Feetures and Balega
- Free StrideSmart Fitting Process to find the right running shoes for you, with brands like Brooks, Saucony, Hoka One One, Mizuno, Diadora, Sketchers, Nike, On, and Asics
- Brooks Running Sports Bras
- Running Classes, from How to Run, to Working Your Core, Foam Rolling Class, and more
If you’re still wondering how to bust out of past running myths, how to do dynamic stretches, how to pick a Garmin smartwatch or a good pair of tech socks, we can help! Come into the store where our shoe experts are ready to provide the high-quality customer service you expect from a Top 50 Running Store in America.
