There’s nothing quite like the feeling of hitting the open road or trail and feeling the wind in your hair as you go for a run. However, all too often, this feeling is followed by the pain of an injury. Running is a high-impact sport, which means that it puts a lot of stress on your body. This can lead to all sorts of injuries, from simple things like blisters and runner’s knees to more serious injuries like stress fractures.
While you can’t completely avoid injuries, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk. Here are five running practices that will help you avoid injuries:
1. Warm Up Properly
One of the best ways to avoid injuries is to warm up properly before you start running. A good warm-up will increase your heart rate and blood flow, loosen up your muscles, and prepare your body for the physical activity to come.
To warm up properly, start with some light aerobic activity, such as walking or slow jogging. Then, do some dynamic stretches, such as leg swings, lunges, and butt kicks. Finish up with some strides–running at about 80% of your max effort for 20-30 seconds.
2. Don’t Go Too Hard, Too Fast
One of the most common mistakes that runners make is starting out too hard and too fast. When you go all-out from the beginning, you put your body under a lot of stress, which can lead to injuries.
Instead of going all-out, start slow and gradually increase your pace as you warm up. And, when you’re planning your running workouts, make sure to include easy days, where you run at a comfortable pace. This will give your body a chance to recover and will reduce your risk of injuries.
3. Listen to Your Body
Your body is good at telling you when something is wrong. So, if you start to feel pain while you’re running, slow down and take a break. It’s better to take a few minutes to rest than to push through the pain and end up injured.
4. Vary Your Workouts
If you’re only running, you’re putting a lot of stress on your body. You need to give your body a break by varying your workouts. Try running one day, then biking or swimming the next. This will help your body recover and will make you a better runner in the long run.
5. Wear the Right Gear
Wearing the right gear is important for any sport, but it’s especially important for running. Wearing the wrong shoes can lead to injuries. Make sure you buy shoes that are designed for running and that fit well. Also, be sure to replace your shoes every few months to keep them from wearing out.
Bonus Tip: Schedule a Post-Workout Massage
Getting a massage after running can help your body recover. Massages help increase blood flow, which can help your body repair any damage that your run may have caused.
Conclusion
There are certain running practices that can help reduce the risk of injuries. These include warm-ups, cool-downs, stretching, cross-training, and paying attention to form. By incorporating these practices into your running routine, you can help minimize the chances of sustaining an injury.
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