Are you trying to improve your physical and emotional wellness this year? If so, make sure you add going on a run to your exercise and wellness routine as running can help you to look and feel healthier and more energized. Here are a few tips for things you should be doing before starting your run.
Drink Water
Hydration is incredibly important when you’re preparing to go on a run. Your body will likely sweat a good amount as you’re running, so you don’t want to dehydrate yourself by failing to drink enough water before your run. Try to drink at least 16 ounces of water around two hours before you start your run. One hour before your run, drink another eight ounces of water.
Throughout your run, drink water regularly. Also, make sure that you’re fueling your body with some food before you run. However, if you’re eating a meal, you should be doing so 2-3 hours before your scheduled run, and you shouldn’t be eating very heavy foods. This will help you to have the energy you need for your workout without weighing yourself down or giving yourself indigestion.
Stretch
Make sure that your stretching routine includes some of the dynamic movements and motions that you’ll be using during your run. Doing so will help you to slowly and healthily prepare your body to run. Here are a few of the stretches that you should include in your routine. You should do some walking glute stretches to prepare your large leg muscles for movement. You can also do some butt kicks, knee highs, and standing knee hugs.
A walking hurdle hip opener will allow you to walk forward, swinging your leg around in a hurdle movement, and preparing your joints for the strain of running. Stretching your calves can help improve ankle flexibility. Doing these stretches and others before you start your run will help you to run easier and better. It will also help you to recover more quickly with less muscle soreness.
Set a Goal
Finally, before you start your run, make sure you set a goal for your running exercise that day. Set a specific mileage goal or amount of time that you’d like to run. You can also work walking stretches into your run goal to help your workout be more attainable, especially as you’re starting. Setting a run goal should be a daily part of your exercise routine as your strength, endurance, and abilities change each day. Over time, you can begin to push yourself to run faster or farther, as this will add some nice variety to your run and help you to improve your physical fitness.
So, if you’re planning on taking up running as a New Year’s resolution, remember the tips in this article. Before you start your run, you should be hydrating and fueling your body, stretching, and setting a daily goal. These practices will help you to have a healthier, more successful running routine.
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