Exercise

Awesome Running and Jogging Tips

December 13, 2010
By Jordan Garn

You should not just go out and run without learning some running techniques. Indeed, there are running tips even as you think running is as simple as just running in whatever form. Running or jogging, when not done properly, can make you end up with ragged, heavy breathing in under thirty minutes, strained muscles and makes you lose energy undesirably fast. Before going to the meat of the matter, you must first know a few things – the frequency of training is only 2 to for days a week unless you are training professionally, the duration for each is between 30 minutes to an hour whether continuous or in intervals, and lastly, warming up or doing some stretches before running is a must. Now, the running tips:

Start at an easy pace. Do not start at a sprint. Build intensity slowly and let your breathing adjust to your pace. Breathe in through your nose and occasionally through the mouth.

Choose a hard pavement. Run at cemented pavement at the side of the road and avoid uneven trails and footpaths. Running is more effective when done on a flat, hard surface as this helps your feet push evenly on the floor and also promote proper posture.

Follow a heel-strike. It means landing on your heel first when your foot strikes the ground. Maintain a neutral foot strike after the heel-strike and flatten your foot arch to lessen shock absorption. This helps you avoid ankle sprains. This is important when running and most people experience muscle strain because of improper foot landing.

Maintain proper posture and body alignment. Do not lean forward to prevent straining your back. Run tall and stretch yourself up to full height. Keep your hips and your head aligned, your shoulders relaxed and your hands in a light squeeze.

Do not keep breathing in your mouth. As aforementioned, breathe in through your nose and ever so often through the mouth. Exhale deeply to avoid gasping for air as you proceed to a quicker pace.

When running uphill, shorten your stride. Running downhill should not be a problem.

Keeping these running tips in mind will enable you to do this aerobic activity effectively. So the next time you hit the road, you know what you should do and what you should not do. Always wear your most comfortable running shoes and then get so used to running in proper form that you would not have to think about the tips anymore. Lastly, enjoy running and enjoy the scenery. Keep a relaxed body and mind and run like it is not a chore.