Busting 5 Running Myths!

6. Running doesn’t turn your hands into crab claws.

Great advice. Especially identifying as a runner. Young, old, fast, slow.. whatever.. if you run you're a runner. It's a good group to be a part of

I am over 70, still running (just did a half marathon in 2hrs 10 min). I have done that virtually all my life, and I have not had knee issues. I have a fairly nice stride in that I don't pound, not a heel striker, etc., You can keep running and if you are careful your knees will be just fine.

Also one advice from someone who likes to run ultras: yoj dont have to run 100km, or 50 km. Marathon kr half maraton. If you enjoj running 3km after work, 3x a week, do it. Dont be pressured to run more, further, faster, if you dont want to

I have been running all my life. I am now 61 years old and my knees are rock solid. The most that I have ever run is is 85 - 90 Km weekly. But I have consistently run my whole life

Your editing has progressed a lot! Far ahead of the game

Personally love the first one, my running technique may be a bit outside of the norm and I tried to change a few things about it but this just ended with an injury in my knee. When I recovered I simply just ran how I felt comfortable and no injuries from then on :) Just got a PB yesterday for the 5k of 18:55 which I'm also really happy about!

Today I had my most enjoyable run for a while in the woods. I hid my watch and have not spent time trying to analyse and criticise myself for being slow. I run and I enjoyed it!

Everything you‘ve said is so true, and what’s even funnier is these myths are often spread by the people who never run. How many times I’ve heard I’m destroying my knees, etc, and so far 15+years of running and I’m the healthiest one among my friends. Running technique as well - no one should be forced to follow some prescribed standards, every runner is individual and so is his/her running form.

the one thing I disagree with is that you can't take breaks in long run training. If you're a recreational runner trying to get past 1 to 3 hour long runs, breaking them up into 5ks with snack breaks helps immensely. I know it's not the same for cardio, but it's still a lot of tendon and bone work for a single day. It also helps if the weather's bad, knowing you can go back home and warm up a bit. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to do a 15k in a straight line or it doesn't count.

One huge misconception in the running world has become that stretching before a run is bad. Static stretching with no warmup jog is bad -- that has been backed by science. However, all of the studies did "no warmup" vs "static stretching only" (no warmup jog first). Then a lot of people concluded that runners should only do dynamic stretching before a run. However, other studies have shown that a warmup jog, static stretching, and then dynamic stretching is perfectly fine, if not better. It's kind of like the "hot coffee lawsuit" where some media took it and spun it and then everyone copied it. The main thing is if you don't have time for a warmup jog, then yes, avoid static stretching (and possibly even dynamic stretching -- no studies on this). However, if you have done a warmup jog, then static stretching and dynamic stretching after are perfectly fine and may even improve your run and prevent injury. Lastly, about flexibility mentioned in the video. Static stretching before a run and after a run will not make you super flexible to the point where it will hurt your running ability. You would need to do long holds (45 seconds or more) to improve flexibility to that point, which is almost never done during warmup or cooldown. That would be like yoga, etc.

Registered for a marathon in 7 month, and up to now I have mainly done 10k runs. Starting to train for my big race and your videos keep me motivated:)

I just completed a 50K Ultra a few weeks back and after feeling overtrained the last few marathon I decided to mix it up and be a little undertrained for this one so my goal for the 3 month training block was to do NO speed work, focus on strength, only easy runs and short hill repeats, with my longest long run only 35ks. It was amazing how when I did push my speed on race day I was running way faster with less effort. I ended up getting a new 30k, 42k, and 50k PB on a hilly Ultra somehow :face-blue-smiling: it's crazy It is defiantly hard to go out on easy runs with every one passing you but it pays off in the long run. Thx to all you advice Goran! :hand-purple-blue-peace:

I just want to say that your content just keeps getting better and I’m very grateful for your hard work ❤

Thank you so much for this video Göran! I could totally agree with every point made in this video, I also find that finding a fitting enviroment also helps tremendously with running, for example I really hate running in circles in parks with other people (maybe I'm just an intorvert, who knows) while I love running alone in the woods. Running is so cool, I wish more people would have the same approach as you!

The perfect video at the perfect time. I have been actively discouraged from running because of age and loose joints. I was actively discouraged from weight lifting too, but I started very slowly with a trainer. Two years later, none of the injuries predicted came to fruition and I am strong, feel great and previous aches are gone. I will take the same approach to running starting today. Thanks for being the push I needed!

You are absolutely one of my favorite people on YouTube and such a fantastic resource for running!!

In his Run Smarter podcasts, videos and book, physiotherapist Brodie Sharpe cites and analyses the studies that totally bust many many common running myths ... so yes indeed the science is with you all the way Göran!! Way to go!!! Btw you have really motivated me to be a bit more adventurous with running routes... I used to be afraid of injuring my feet or ankles by going "off-piste", but now I treat it more like strengthening them, so thanks for that!!

thank you, i feel really accepted through your positivity. i too had the problem of making every training a race where i always thought i needed to pb in every run. a more chilled approach has helped me not only enjoy running again but also helped me increase my overall running volume. keep up the good and inspiring work!

Thank you for this video, I loved all of your points, especially the ones about running form and who gets to call themselves a runner! I have been running for close to two years now and just finished my first half marathon today. When I first started running, I was quite ashamed of my form because it didn't look very aesthetically pleasing, but over time I figured that my body just isn't built to have a beautiful long stride like some elite runners, and I just kept on running the way it felt most natural and effortless to me. My form has still improved, just like you said, and I am quite happy with it for where I'm at currently. I also got told that I'm not a proper runner if I sometimes take walking breaks during easy runs, and I now think that is the greatest bs ever! Those walk breaks helped me keep my heart rate down and improve my aerobic base. I'm pretty sure I'm a faster and more enduring runner now because I took this run-walk-run approach for a while.