“What you need, is a manager.” While Mickey’s advice to Rocky in 1976 was about boxing, we firmly believe that it also applies to running. Training without a plan is one of the classic blunders that stall progress or invite injury, according to: “10 Common Running Mistakes (and How to Fix Them) from a Coach.” Working with a good coach is probably the best guarantee that a plan is right for you. After all, a goal without a plan is just a wish. Thankfully, you can ditch the guesswork and take some guidance from the coaches at McMillan Running. McMillan can provide an actual human professional coach for $40 per month. Mistake #5 on the list is simpler, but just as critical: running in bad shoes. Worn-out or ill-fitting kicks are an injury waiting to happen. Swapping them out every 300-500 miles (even sooner for super shoes) can lower your risk of injury, so be sure to lean on our gear reviews to find your perfect pair. Perhaps the most insidious, though, is Mistake #2: repeating the same runs endlessly. That can lead to burnout and plateauing, but the fix could be to embrace progressive overload. According to “The Progressive Overload Principle, Explained,” that means gradually increasing workout difficulty to drive continual progress. You can apply this by tweaking just one variable weekly: add a run (frequency), pick up the pace (intensity), or go longer (duration). Avoid overhauling everything at once, though, as that could overload your system too quickly. By mixing up your runs strategically and letting your body adapt, you’ll build resilience and speed while dodging those all-too-common setbacks.

#Can’tStopProgress