It’s that time of year when temps start to drop (unless you live in FL), and racing season starts heating up.
If you are training for a 5k, half marathon, any other type of race, let us just say that you’re amazing because that’s a ton of commitment and you should be proud of yourself. And we’re all about you being amazing so here are some tips to take with you as you blaze across the finish line!
Eating Well
You might say that’s a common theme around here but it really is a key component to having a successful training and race. You wanna get race ready? Sure you do. So make sure you fuel your body pre and post exercise. You’ll also be able to recover quicker to get back at it. Without getting into the weeds too much, a proper eating plan should have a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats (the good ones!). Skipping out on them can have a negative effect on your performance and we definitely don’t want that. What you do want is to fuel your body for how you want to perform. Want to have an awesome race? Well fuel up on your fruits and veggies, complex carbs, lean proteins, and so on. Some of our favorite race ready meals are Machaca Chicken Tamale, Protein Power Pack and the Almond Apple Flat Wrap.
Stay Hydrated
We may sound like a broken record but hey, it’s my blog. Plus, it’s so important, especially during your workouts because your muscles will fatigue much quicker if you aren’t properly hydrated. As a general rule of thumb, you want to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. But when exercising, you might even want to increase that number a bit. Again we won’t get technical here, but have that water bottle handy at all times! Taking sips of water instead of large gulps or pounding down bottles, is also a helpful tip too. Believe it or not, there is such thing as drinking too much water too quickly. And that my friends isn’t fun, trust me.
Stretching
We’ve all been guilty of skipping this one from time to time but it really is crucial. Your muscles work hard during your workouts and need some extra loving post sweat session. Not recovering properly through stretches can lead to injury that could leave you sidelined. And for some of you, just not playing is pain enough. So make sure to make time for this important part of your training. Check out this thing we have called the internet. You’ll find tons of some simple stretches you can work into your routine immediately.
Listen To Your Body
Never argue with your body. That’s a fight you can’t win. Hearing the words, “you need to rest” could be hard for some of us to hear, but at the end of the day, your body knows when it’s had enough and needs some R & R. If you’re ill, exercising may prolong the sickness and it’ll just take longer to recover. If you have any sort of pain or injury, best way to treat it is to let it rest and get proper medical attention if needed. Common sense is your most valuable tool.
Stay Positive
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it – then I can achieve it.” said the great Muhammed Ali. Those are something pretty darn powerful words, you know? Our minds play such a big part in our performance. Not just when we are pounding the pavement but in all facets of our life. We have to believe in ourselves and try to stay positive through the good times and the bad. There will be moments when you may want to give up, but keep reminding yourself to stay focused and keep moving forward. Your brain is perhaps the most powerful muscle we have and when you use it right, you can do anything you set your mind to.
