As the heat of the summer continues to rise, how do you keep cool during and after runs? While summer running is more difficult for me, it means I need to be mentally strong and physically ready for the heat. For me, this means hydrating before a run and every 3 miles during a run. What’s easily forgotten is how to cool your body after a run. I try to end the run with a little bit of walking. This brings down my heart rate slowly and helps me catch my breath. Next, I try to find some shade to begin the rest of the cool down. Ideally, I begin to stretch out my muscles. Right after is the best time to touch my toes, stretch my neck muscles, gently tug on my hamstrings, and stretch my back. Stretching right after is hard to do because you may want to just sit down and rest. However, stretching after a run has a few benefits such as boosting your flexibility, decrease muscle tension and improve overall flexibility. So, next time you are done with a run, take a few minutes and stretch. See for yourself that it will make a difference!
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