If you’ve ever thought, “I was doing fine… so why does it suddenly hurt?” — this episode is for you.

In Episode 2 of The Runner’s Soul, Sharon Miller — podiatrist, runner, and unapologetic foot nerd — breaks down the most common beginner running mistakes that quietly lead to injuries like heel pain, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and ankle issues.

These aren’t dramatic accidents or obvious errors.
They’re normal, well-meaning habits that slowly overload your body until pain shows up.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why doing too much too soon is the fastest path to injury
• How running too fast early on overloads your calves, fascia, and joints
• Why ignoring small aches and morning stiffness is risky
• The truth about rest days and why they’re essential for adaptation
• Why copying someone else’s training plan often backfires
• How load increases faster than tissue adaptation — and what that means for your feet

Sharon also explains what’s happening beneath the surface when runners say:

“I didn’t change anything… so why does my heel hurt?”

You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of what smart, sustainable training actually looks like — including pacing, rest, early warning signs, and how to protect your progress without losing motivation.

This episode is especially important if:

• You’re new to running
• You’re returning after a break
• You’ve tried running before but stopped due to pain or injury

To wrap up, Sharon gives you a Week 2 challenge focused on restraint, recovery, and consistency — because long-term runners aren’t the ones who push hardest, but the ones who adapt smartest.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to keep running — one smart step at a time.

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