I’m curious how other bigger runners manage this, because it feels like a constant balancing act.
I’m 6'6" (198 cm), around 95 kg, currently running fairly high volume (roughly 70–80 km/week) alongside some strength training. The training itself is going well, but I’m very aware that at my size, mistakes compound faster. Small issues don’t stay small for long.
I recover fine when everything is dialed in, but if sleep slips, strength work drops, or volume creeps up too fast, I feel it immediately. Mostly in the usual places: calves, Achilles, knees, lower legs. Nothing dramatic, just that constant “one bad week away from something stupid” feeling.
Most running advice seems written for lighter runners. “Just add mileage,” “just slow down,” “just recover more.” All true, but harder to execute when every step comes with more load.
For other taller/heavier runners who’ve managed to train consistently over multiple seasons:
What actually made the biggest difference for staying healthy?
Anything you stopped doing that helped more than what you added?
Did you cap weekly mileage, or just manage intensity more aggressively?
Not looking for magic bullets, just patterns that worked long-term.