Whether you’re training for a half-marathon, trying to build up that cardio strength, or you simply want to get a little bit fitter, running is one of the most accessible and easy ways to get into working out. However, despite that, you might be surprised by how taxing it can be and, in particular, how easily individuals can injure themselves by not preparing properly for a run. Here, we’re going to look at some risks you should keep in mind when running and how you can manage them.
Make sure that you have the right support
First of all, you want to make sure that your shoes are well-suited to support your running habit. You might have a good pair of sneakers that works okay for now, but eventually, you should switch to shoes specifically made for running. Picking the right fit is crucial, too, as these shoes are supposed to support and protect the foot to prevent muscular injuries that can happen somewhat often to runners, otherwise. There are different types of running shoes, too, so it’s important to choose the right shoes for the type of running you do.
Equip yourself with the right gear
In addition to the right shoes and socks, you also have to consider what other gear will make your running experience more comfortable and safe. One essential item is The Original Running Belt which can hold all of your essentials like keys, phone, and ID while you run. This is especially important if you’re going for a long-distance run or plan to be out for a while. The last thing you want is to have your items bouncing around in your pockets, causing discomfort and potentially even falling out during the run.
Wear the right socks, too
While wearing a good pair of running shoes might be your best bet for avoiding foot injuries, there are other issues that plague runners, too. Swelling and cramps can arise because of how the blood flow can concentrate in the legs and how lactic acid can begin to build up there. To that end, look at options like PRO Compression socks. Compression socks add a little compression around the lower leg to make sure that the blood keeps flowing through the entire leg adequately.
Cool down and warm up
It’s a good tip for any kind of exercise, of course, not just for running. You want to make sure that you take the time for stretches and warmups before you start running. However, while many people warm up, a lot of people fail to cool down and stretch after their exercise is done. It can be tempting, given how tired you might be but this is when your muscles are going to regain some of their prior rigidity and they can harden in the wrong place, so to speak, which can cause some particularly bad pain.
Improve your running style
Depending on how you run, you might experience more or less impact on your feet, and on your joints, and reduce the chances of injuring yourself out on the track. Learn the proper running poster to avoid excess stress on the back and knees, swing your arms efficiently with each pace to manage the stability of your core, and be mindful of landing more softly on the heel of your foot, rather than letting the impact hit mid-foot, where you’re most likely to experience injury.
Running is not overly risky. It’s just like every exercise, you can hurt yourself if you do it wrong. With the tips above, you can make sure that isn’t the case.