What should be prioritized in a running program to ensure safety?

Prioritizing the practice of listening to the body and adjusting the training accordingly is crucial for ensuring safety in a running program. Every runner has a unique physiological response to training, which can be influenced by factors such as fatigue, stress, nutrition, and overall health. By paying attention to how one's body feels during and after runs, a runner can identify signs of overtraining, fatigue, or potential injury. This approach promotes the ability to modify workouts—such as adjusting mileage, intensity, or rest days—in response to the body's feedback, ultimately reducing the risk of injuries and enhancing long-term performance.

In contrast, prioritizing the maximization of weekly mileage without considering the body's signals can lead to overuse injuries, such as stress fractures or tendonitis. Following a rigid training schedule may not allow for the necessary flexibility to adapt to daily physical and mental variations; it can result in pushing through pain rather than allowing for recovery. Similarly, avoiding rest days entirely contradicts the necessity for recovery in a training program, which is essential for resilience and improvement. Thus, listening to the body and making adjustments is fundamental to maintaining health and preventing injuries during running training.