4. You don’t follow a training schedule
When I first got the idea that I wanted to do a race, I didn’t necessarily think I had to have a “plan.” I was just going to, you know, run. A lot. But without following a training plan, it’s really easy to train too much, too little, or to skip important rest days or cross-training days.
While you don’t have to be 100-percent precise with a schedule, it is important to follow one that’s been created by an expert (a simple Google search can help you find one). Most training plans have you increasing mileage each week, while also suggesting days where you run hills, do “recovery” runs, rest or do strength-training to help build up better muscle mass.