Aging Gracefully and with Great Health

5 Helpful Tips For Avoiding Physical Injury For Runners

18 February 2015 by For Content

Running can be a very rewarding hobby and form of exercise due to the minimal equipment needed and the rewards you can gain with just running for 30-minute sessions a few time a week. While running can be a great activity for people of all energy levels to try, it's important that you set aside some time to get familiar with how to avoid injuries.

By taking some extra precautions before delving into going running, you won't need to visit a physical therapist and you can enjoy runs as much as possible.

Make Healthy Choices for Eating and Drinking

While you may love eating a greasy cheeseburger to reward yourself after a run or gulping down a sugary sports drink, you'll need to take care to choose healthy foods. Along with picking out foods such as fruits, veggies, and protein-rich food, you'll want to plan out when to eat and drink. Some good rules include eating at least thirty minutes before going on a long run or at least getting some liquids in you before you take off on short runs.

Begin With a Good Warm Up Session

Before delving into a long run, it's important that you start with a warm up session. Some good things to do is stretching your muscles for a good 5-10 minutes by briskly walking or jogging at a slow pace.

Choose the Right Type of Terrain

Whether you enjoy running on paved paths or nature trails, it's a good idea to consider the impact that the terrain has. Loose terrain can lead to a twisted ankle, meaning that you'll need to recover for a long period before being able to go running again.

Carefully Choose Quality Running Shoes

Since running doesn't require any expensive equipment, you'll need to invest your money into a good pair of shoes. Your shoes are what's going to be making the biggest impact in your foot and ankle health while running, making it important that you don't skimp on quality. Visiting a retailer that sells running shoes can help try on different pairs and get chooses picked out for your favorite kind of terrain.

Wind Down Slowly After Your Runs

Similarly to warming up for a run, you'll want to take care when winding down. Instead of simply stopping after your run has finished, it's a good idea to cool down by jogging at a slower pace. Stretching your body can also help your muscles relax after a long run.

Understanding how to take care of  your body while running can help ensure that you get the most benefits from running and will be able to avoid any serious injuries. Talk to places like Bronx Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation for more professional tips.

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