For such a simple sport, running can generate intense debate \u2014 and conflicting advice. And as runners get deeper into the sport and start logging more miles, it can be harder to find reliable information.<\/p>\n
Consider the recent swing of the pendulum in running-shoe design, said Matthew Moran, a professor of exercise science at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. In the early 2010s, minimalist running shoes were trendy, thanks in part to the bestselling book \u201cBorn to Run\u201d and its claim that the way to stay injury-free was to avoid extra cushioning. But soon, the so-called barefoot shoe craze had fizzled out, and shoes were suddenly more thickly cushioned than ever before.<\/p>\n
The rise of these maximalist shoes, Moran said, has led some people to believe that they are less likely to get hurt because they think they are striking the ground with less force when they run. But that\u2019s not true, he said. And while some runners may benefit from more cushioning, it\u2019s not clear that it can help prevent injury.<\/p>\n
To help set the record straight on other misconceptions about the sport, we asked physical therapists, coaches and other running experts about the biggest myths they would like to debunk.<\/p>\n
Myth 1: Distance runners don\u2019t need to lift weights.<\/b><\/p>\n
Many runners believe that logging more miles is always the best way to improve, said Alison McGinnis, clinical director at Finish Line Physical Therapy in New York. But, to run faster and be more resilient to injury over the long term, McGinnis said that all runners should also strength train.<\/p>\n
Muscle strength and tendon health are crucial for injury prevention, McGinnis said. If you run too much without building up your strength, she added, \u201cdown the line something\u2019s going to give.\u201d<\/p>\n
Myth 2: You don\u2019t need to eat after a run.<\/b><\/p>\n
It\u2019s fairly common to have less of an appetite right after a hard run. Some studies suggest that this may be because intense exercise can decrease your body\u2019s production of ghrelin, a hormone that causes hunger. Exercise can also cause a spike in a metabolite that suppresses your appetite.<\/p>\n
This temporary feeling can be misleading, said Kristy Baumann, a registered dietitian in Minneapolis who specializes in working with runners. Just because you don\u2019t have an appetite, that doesn\u2019t mean your body doesn\u2019t need food, Baumann said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe often hear, \u2018Oh, listen to your body\u2019 and \u2018Eat when you\u2019re hungry,\u2019\u201d she said, \u201cbut this is one of those times when we have to apply sports nutrition knowledge.\u201d You should have a post-run meal or snack to refuel \u2014 otherwise you can slow down your recovery.<\/p>\n
Myth 3: Lactic acid causes muscle soreness.<\/b><\/p>\n
Despite being debunked by researchers decades ago, the idea that lactic acid causes sore muscles remains pervasive in exercise culture.<\/p>\n
Scott Murr, an assistant professor of health sciences at Furman University in South Carolina, said he recently asked a class of more than 20 student-athletes whether lactic acid caused muscle soreness. Every student answered that it did.<\/p>\n
Lactate, an energy source your body produces as it breaks down glucose, is often \u201cguilty by association,\u201d Murr said. During intense exercise, lactate production is usually accompanied by an increase in hydrogen ions, which can contribute to a temporary \u201cburning\u201d sensation.<\/p>\n
But postexercise soreness is not related to such metabolic stresses, Murr said. Rather, it is caused by the microscopic damage that happens when you put unusually high demands on your muscles. (Think: the grueling final stretch of a race.)<\/p>\n
Myth 4: Energy gels are always tough on the stomach.<\/b><\/p>\n
As energy gels have become more common in the running world, some athletes have complained that such products cause gastrointestinal distress, Baumann said.<\/p>\n
But the gels themselves aren\u2019t necessarily the problem, she said. Sometimes runners take them when they are already dehydrated, which can aggravate stomach issues. Or they don\u2019t realize that their bodies might need some time to adapt to digesting gels.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour stomach is a muscle; it can be trained,\u201d Baumann said. She recommends starting with a small amount of carbohydrates on long runs \u2014 half an energy gel with water every 40 minutes \u2014 and working up to one gel every 30 minutes paired with a sports drink.<\/p>\n
This gradual progression trains your digestive system to absorb fuel more efficiently, which can help you perform better on race day, Baumann said.<\/p>\n
Myth 5: Rest is always the best way to heal an injury.<\/b><\/p>\n
The words any runner hates to hear are: \u201cYou need to rest until this gets better.\u201d This advice certainly applies to some severe injuries, like stress fractures. But Iain Hunter, an exercise science professor at Brigham Young University, said that in some cases, such as ligament and tendon strains, total rest might be counterproductive.<\/p>\n
For those injuries, \u201cwe need blood flow to heal the body,\u201d Hunter said. Stopping all movement can slow down the recovery process. If you have an injury, you should consult with a trainer, a coach, or a physical therapist about which targeted forms of exercise (including light running) might be safe and appropriate.<\/p>\n
Myth 6: \u2018Real\u2019 runners go hard every day.<\/b><\/p>\n
Many runners have to unlearn the idea that being truly committed to the sport means running every day, said Steve Finley, a running coach and co-founder of the Brooklyn Track Club in New York.<\/p>\n
Finley, who once ran professionally, said he knew track and field Olympians who ran only 40 to 50 miles a week, while some amateur friends were putting in much more mileage.<\/p>\n
Dena Evans, a running coach with 25 years of experience who works with runners of all levels, said that she\u2019d had many clients who believed that pushing their physical limits daily was the best way to improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may approach the rest of your life in that way, and you may get the results you want,\u201d Evans said. But runners should remember the cardinal rule of endurance sports: You need a mix of hard and easy days so your body can adapt and, eventually, thrive.<\/p>\n