If you have been running for a while and want to take it to the next level, or perhaps you are new to running and looking to get yourself in the zone before you slip your trainers on – this post is for you.
Preparing for a run isn’t simply tying your running shoe laces up and being done. Your body goes through several processes as it is running, and it needs to be in the best condition to do that.
Here are a few simple things you can do to prepare yourself for running.
Gear
If you have been running in whatever is comfortable up until now, then it is time to change the game up. The running gear you use has a significant impact on your performance.
At a minimum, you should be looking to invest in the following:
Running shoes are designed for the ground you run on. If you want to use Vibram shoes for a natural foot shape, keep in mind you will likely need extra support by Achilles tendon taping.
Sunscreen is essential even on overcast days – opt for sweatproof sunscreen.
A sun hat and sunglasses designed for running
Slimline hydration pack or bottle
Reflective accessories and clothing
Choosing running shoes isn’t an easy task; you must get measured in a professional running store. You might have high arches and need extra support, or perhaps you have a wide foot.
No matter what the issue is, you need to have the perfect fit. Poorly fitting trainers will leave you prone to ankle and knee issues.
If you have been running for a while, this section isn’t for you. Starting your running journey might not begin with how you think. Your body needs to be conditioned to run and run well.
Start by combining jogging and walking between 4 and 6 times a week. Jog for a few minutes and walk for a few minutes as the weeks pass, minus some walking minutes and add them to your jogging speed. After a few more weeks, try jogging the whole way one or more times a week.
Experienced runners
After you have been running for a while, it’s time to go a little harder. Instead of a gentle warmup, start pushing your body hard. This is called priming and is often underappreciated to get into the zone and perform your best immediately.
Your body adapts to the demands of running hard, and the longer your run, the more effortless it becomes, so use your warm-up and the first round on the track and go all out.
Something runners have in common is the drive to do something and achieve it. Once you have been running for a while, it’s time to set yourself some big goals—sign up for some marathons and races. The deadline on your fitness will mean you are more focused than you have ever been before, and that can be a beautiful thing.
When you are planning a golf tour with your friends, there are some things that you want to keep in mind. For example, the location of the course should be one of your top considerations. You don’t want to choose a course that is too far from where all of your friends live or from your accommodation if it is a tour away from home. There are also other factors such as cost and convenience for other travellers who come out on weekends to join you on the course.
You should plan out your budget in detail before you go on the tour. This is important because some courses may be more expensive than others and it will also help save you money if you know exactly what to expect. There’s nothing worse than paying extra for something that was not expected or planned for initially, so planning can make everything much smoother. The same goes for transportation costs. You want to consider any extra expenses that may come up, which you should write down before the tour begins.
Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate
When you are playing golf, it’s essential to stay hydrated at all times. It is usually best not to drink too much, though, because drinking alcohol will dehydrate your body even more than if you were just out in the sun for hours on end without anything to drink.
Be Prepared For Any Weather
You should always be prepared for any kind of weather when you are playing golf. It is important to bring extra clothes with you because if there’s one thing that can ruin your day, it’s getting caught in the rain or dealing with scorching temperatures out on the course. You don’t want to wear yourself out before you even begin either, so take as much time as you need to rest and relax before your game begins.
Ensure You Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for any successful golf tour with your friends. If you don’t get a good night’s rest, there’s no telling what can happen on the course, and it will be much harder to focus and stay alert throughout your entire game. You may also find yourself losing energy faster than expected, so do not underestimate how important it is to get a good night’s rest before starting your game. This is even more important when playing consecutive days of golf.
Remember To Warm Up
Do not forget to warm up before you begin your game. It is vital for all activities, but when it comes to golf in particular, warming up can mean the difference between a fantastic round and a terrible one that will end in frustration at yourself or with other players on the course who may be better than you are. To really get into the swing of things, you should follow a specific warm-up routine before starting your game to save yourself from injuries and other problems on the course.
Supplement Against Inflammation In The Evening
You should consider taking supplements to help with the inflammation in your muscles when it comes time for you to go to bed. Supplementing with CBD is an excellent natural way to reduce pain and overall feel better during and after a long day of playing golf on the course or travelling from one location to another throughout your tour. CBD is very accessible nowadays, with so many places available to buy CBD online. Always do your research before starting any new supplement routine, and always speak to your doctor first.
Consider Going To The Range The Week Before
If you are planning on going on a golf tour with your friends, it is always best to go to the range at least one week before, if not two. This will give you adequate time so that any mistakes or problems can be ironed out and corrected by game day. This will also allow you to get an idea of the facilities offered by the course. If you have any further questions, an online golf course chatbot is used by some courses to answer any frequently asked questions. They are available 24/7 to tell you about the services available at certain courses. You never want to get caught off-guard without anything prepared when you are playing in front of an audience, so make sure to take this into consideration before starting any tour.
In conclusion, playing golf with your friends is always a great way to bond and unwind after the stresses of everyday life. The key to having an amazing game, however, comes down to preparation. Therefore, you should ensure that you are adequately prepared for anything that might happen before beginning any tour so that you can focus on enjoying yourself rather than worrying about if everything will go as planned. With these tips, you should have a great time and play the best round of golf ever with your friends!
Are you a weekend warrior? Do you often strap on your running shoes when the Saturday morning sunlight hits you in the face in bed? Well, who is to say that you have to only go running? It’s a great thing to do, and it takes guts to get up in the morning when everyone is asleep, to go pound the pavement. And yes it will improve your cardio and your VO2 MAX. But there are other fun ways to spend your time and get a good workout. There is an explosion of businesses that want you to come and try out a new sport because after the long wait, they need as many newcomers to walk through their doors as possible. So we thought we would look around for the best sports that you can pick up easily and do well in for this weekend’s warrior session.
A round of golf
It’s not cheap taking care of the fairgreen. It takes a lot of maintenance for golf clubs and grounds to tend to their courses and this is one of the reasons why going golfing has never been so cheap. You can also learn about beginner golf techniques anywhere. YouTube has a lot of good channels that show you how to do the very basics; such as how to dress for the course, how to hold the club, which clubs to select, what are the best beginner golf balls, etc. Take a look at these, some of them give you great range due to their design but much less spin. The dimple design is one such example, which carries through a lot of the speed and power from the strike of the club. But it doesn’t spin much, so if you want to curve around treelines, you’ll need something with more spin which is more for the advanced golfer.
The Wales Golf Festival is allowing for anyone to come onto the grounds and try the sport out. This is something that is taking place all around the world, especially in golf-rich countries such as the UK, America and France. So if you are a parent who wants their kid to have an opportunity to strike a few balls, get in-person coaching and walk around the lovely grounds, you should go to a golf festival like this.
Swimming is back on
After the recent performance of big swimming nations like the UK, Australia and America, you can bet that swimming is going to be back in a big way. In recent times, swimming baths have had to shut down because of the pandemic. However, a recent new way of swimming or rather new style of swimming is making the news. ‘Wild swimming’ as it is being called by Scandinavian river or lake swimmers, is helping to convince people of a new way to lose weight. Studies suggest that swimming in cold waters helps the body to seriously shed the pounds. Not only are all of your muscles being used but because of the cold, more energy is required to keep your body at the best temperature for performance.
So if you have a cold river or lake nearby, and you know you will be safe, you could try this out for the weekend. It’s best to invest in good equipment first, such as a swimming watch, a strap heart rate monitor and an emergency beacon which you can fit onto your wrist or around your ankle. Have someone to watch you as well, along with a simple tug rope which you can grab and be pulled to safety if you feel tired in the cold water. All of the healthy and safety stuff aside, this looks like it could be great for those who have stubborn fat.
Tennis still going strong
Tennis has been going strong throughout the past few months because of it’s very nature. You’re far from your opponent and the referee is too. So you could have carried on playing tennis without much worry and that is what some tournaments have been doing. The recent US Open drew lots of crowds in person and watching from home because it signified that the sport was still very popular among spectators and the sporting stars were not waiting around for anything.
You can play tennis almost anywhere these days. Most public parks have at least one tennis court and if you can’t find any near you, you can always head to your local sport center where there will be at least a few. Tennis is also relatively cheaper compared to other sports. The rackets don’t cost much, nor do the balls. You just need to have a little bit of cash kept aside for lessons which are reasonably priced but you need a lot of sessions before you can whip the ball around with each. It’s all about how you hold the racket, where to strike the ball, learning different shots and trying to fool your opponent. Not to mention, learning how to serve and get an ace takes a lot of hours to get right.
Street hockey
Perhaps this is a national sport because only the US and Canada play this in local neighborhoods. But it’s still super fun. Street hockey is just like it sounds, it’s hockey that you play on the street instead of the ice. There are a few changes. The puck is now a small ball, something like a lacrosse ball will be fine. And instead of ice skates, you use wheel skates. Aside from that, the rules are pretty much the same. You need to have markings on the road however, something you can do with a piece of chalk and a tape measure.
Kids and adults can play, you just have to be aware of who you are going up against. Adults can be a little rough with each other but don’t try a big hit on the kids of course. The game is much like that you see on television, except, you can’t really smash the ball as hard as you want because someone has to go and get it back. So it calls for a little more finesse which is why you should focus on less power and more precision in your shots. Where to play? A lot of local sports clubs host street hockey in local parks where they book out a tennis court, take down the net and use the box markings. You may also be able to find a local street hockey club that plays near you.
Why be a weekend warrior?
Many people would like to stay in shape but they don’t have time to get up early and workout, or go for a run after work. Which is why, being a weekend warrior is their only option. So the question is, can you stay fit by just working out twice a week? Yes! As long as you diet a little, and you break a sweat on the weekends, you should be able to keep the pounds off. But stay motivated to go, which is why joining a sports club might be the best idea.
If you would like to know more about weekend sports and different ideas to stay fit, you should consider joining a fitness forum, local social media fitness group and search for sports near you. The more you be proactive in finding new and exciting sports to do, the fitter you will stay and being a weekend warrior instead of a weekday warrior, can continue to be enough.
An at-home dad on a mission to keep it real when it comes to food, fun, and raising a healthy, happy family.
