The biggest mistakes people make while running

If you're increasing your distance, don't up your speed says runner

Make sure you're not just running (Getty)

Running is good for your health and body but if you fail to follow simple advice such as pre-run stretches, wearing the right shoes and pushing yourself too far, you could be doing yourself more harm than good.

If you’re looking to avoid injuries Xavier Amatriain, VP of Engineering at Quora and regular marathon runner has some advice.

In a forum question on the website, Xavier explains that his main rule for avoiding injury is to “not increase speed and distance at the same time.”

He explained: “If one particular run is going to be 'faster than usual', I will do it shorter. If one particular run is going to be longer, I will do it slower. If one week I have run longer than usual I will try to make sure the average pace is slower.”

He also added that focusing on “just” running could result in injury.

“If you only run and do no stretching or leg/core strengthening exercises, you are also likely to get injured. Try to add quad/gluts exercises such as squats and core exercises such as planks. Strong quads, gluts, and core, are key to a happy running.”

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