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5 Must Do's for a Great Run

Everyone loves to go for a run but not everyone gets 100% of the possible benefit. Here is a list of the things you should do on each run to make sure you are going to get the most out of it.

1. Drink

Make sure you have some water before you go and maybe every now and then during the run if you find you are getting tired or thirsty. Dehydration really can get you down and keep you down all day long. Make sure you have a lot of water at the end of the run for about an hour after.

2. Start slow

Some people take off at a hundred miles and hour thinking they are going to be able to keep up that pace without getting an injury. Make sure your run starts off as a walk or a jog and progresses as your heat builds up.

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3. Warm up

This is a given. You should start your run with a series of stretches, squats, running on the spot and so on until your legs are awake and ready for the exercise.

4. Change the pace

If you run at the same pace throughout the whole run then you are bound to get bored. Not only that but you may find that you aren’t progressing as much as you could be as far as weight loss and fitness goes. A great way to boost the run is to change the pace into a sprint every now and then and take it as far as you can before going back down to a jog. Try and make it so that about 5% of your run is in a sprint or at least 90% maximum pace.

5. Warm down

Again, this is an aspect of the run that people often look over. I like to consider that my workout hasn’t finished until I have finished my post-workout meal. That way I am still in the disciplined mode of working out when the ‘boring’ stuff comes along. Always warm down as it will help your muscles recover faster and you won’t be as sore when you go to work out next. A few stretches are good enough.

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