You may have been running for years but no matter how long you have been doing it for, there may still be things that you can pick up. You may never know everything that there is to know.

Here are some running tips that you may like to have a look at.

1. Enjoy your easy runs

The easy runs are termed as ‘easy’ for a reason. Many runners, including seasoned runners, make the mistake of running too hard on their easy runs. So try and back off the pace a little and literally take time to smell the flowers and take notice of your surroundings. Your easy runs will then be much more enjoyable.

2. Do hard workouts that make you feel good

They may be hard workouts, but if you find that you dread doing them each time when the session rolls around, then these may be the wrong workouts for you.

There are several types of hard workouts – such as speed intervals, fartlek and mile repeats. You are most likely going to stick to the hard workout sessions on a regular basis if you feel good about it mentally and are able to see the benefits from doing them. So take a look at your workouts and see what are the advantages of doing these.

3. Be open minded

Staying open minded is crucial especially if you are shaking up your training routine. For example, if you are not used to doing Speed Work and you incorporate these into your session, don’t expect to cruise through the workout.

Sure you may be able to run 30km without stopping, but that is no indication that you will cruise through a speed workout. And don’t feel demoralised when you find the going gets though – stay open minded and you will soon get used to it.

4. Ditch the running watch

While it is true that having a watch keeps you on target with your pace, it may not be the best idea to wear one all the time, though. For example you can ditch the watch during easy runs and when you are on a simple run with a friend. Just base your pace on how your body feels – you will find that you may enjoy your workouts a lot better when you don’t feel stressed to make improvements each week.

5. Take rest days

You need not grind yourself to the ground and force yourself to run everyday.

If you take one or two days of rest per week, this will help the body to recuperate and recover from your workout days – and you will be able to run much better and have more energy to complete quality workouts rather than simply going for quantity.

6. Do the right training

Anyone can run themselves to the ground – but why should you do that too?

Focus on quality of training rather than quantity. Doing more training is not always the way to go. And you should know if you have had a good workout – it will leave you feeling good, strong and renewed at the end of a session – rather than feeling as though a car has run over you. If you have felt that a vehicle has mowed you down after completing many of your workouts, chances are that you have probably not been doing the right training.

7. Choose something to improve on

There are always things that you can improve on, as a runner.

For example, perhaps you have not been getting as much sleep as you would have liked. Or maybe you know that you should be clocking more weekly mileage. But whatever you choose to improve on, take things slowly and one by one. You can’t expect to change everything at one go; that will be a recipe for disaster.