| My first tip of advice is aimed towards the | | | | high blood pressure which in turn leads to heart |
| beginners out there, but can also be applied to | | | | disease, it also encourages strokes! Furthermore |
| more experienced runners. Set yourself realistic | | | | all young men should be aware that high stress |
| and achievable goals, both long term and short, | | | | can lead to impotence, as well as leading to |
| write these goals down, for short term goals, plan | | | | depression, lethargy as well as stomach ulcers and |
| how many miles you would like to do that week, | | | | indigestion! |
| if your an experienced runner, it may be as high | | | | So this is my second top tip, everyday, set about |
| as 60/70 miles including 2 runs on one day. | | | | an hour of your time at least to de-stress, |
| Whereas for a beginner, it may just be a gentle 2 | | | | everybody releases stress in different ways, and |
| mile jog 3 times a week. For long term goals, for | | | | exercise is an obvious choice at it helps you keep |
| more advanced runners, pick a race that you'd | | | | fit while reducing endorphins! Other methods could |
| like to enter in a few months time and set a | | | | include hitting a punch bag, listening to music, |
| realistic target time e.g. 34 minutes in a 10km | | | | having a relaxing bath, also perhaps just getting a |
| race. For beginners, it may just be to complete | | | | few hours extra sleep a night; not getting enough |
| the race. I advise you keep a diary of your runs, | | | | sleep contributes to this! |
| this allows you to analyze how you have | | | | By unwinding daily, you are likely to suffer less |
| improved over the past months of training and | | | | heart related problems later in life, as well as |
| you will find it helps keep you motivated and | | | | feeling much more energetic and improving your |
| gives you pleasure as you see your | | | | bodies capabilities for recovery, as well as making |
| improvements! | | | | you much more productive at work! |
| If you set yourself realistic goals in the short | | | | My third tip is specifically aimed at the runners out |
| term and the long term, it will help you keep | | | | there, rather than just running and running every |
| motivated and will lead to success, the secret is | | | | week, do a new activity as an alternative e.g. |
| slowly building up, if you set yourself goals that | | | | biking/swimming. This is known as cross training, |
| are far fetched, and increase's intensity and | | | | for example replace one run a week by an |
| distance too quickly, and then you're on a fast | | | | alternative exercise. This reduces boredom of |
| track for injury! | | | | doing the same old routines, encourages you to |
| In conclusion, set yourself realistic goals, this gives | | | | learn and develop new skills and hobbies. This |
| you motivation and also allows you to keep a | | | | allows muscle groups and certain body parts (e.g. |
| record of your improvement as you achieve your | | | | knees) to be rested which usually get pounded |
| goals and continue to set higher and higher goals | | | | when running and work other muscle groups that |
| till you reach your pinnacle! | | | | are usually ignored, this leads to improved overall |
| My second tip is to reduce the stress in your life | | | | conditioning! Furthermore as your usual muscles |
| and so perform to your full potential. It has been | | | | for running are being rested, it reduces the |
| reported that over 50% of sick days off work | | | | chance of injury as it gives those muscles much |
| are due to stress, it is a pretty established fact | | | | needed recovery time! |
| that it really isn't good for you, and leads to | | | | Follow these three tips to a happier and healthier |
| several health problems. Firstly, stress leads to | | | | life! Happy Running! |