What You Need to Keep Running to the Best of Your Ability

Just as any other sport, running is very competitive and requires drive and dedication in order to rise to the top. Winning a race is not simply an achievement provided by born-talent or desire, it is the reward of a certain life style. A runner's life is completely taken by three activities: Training, Practicing proper nutrition and Rest. These three categories can only improve your running if carried out properly.

1. Training

In order to run to the best of your ability, you must seek out the correct training. It is recommended that you find a partner or fellow runner to train with. Six days a week is the required time that you must devote a bit of time to running. Start off the week with a nice long run, six or seven miles. Make Tuesday into your work our day. Get up early and do around four or five 600 meter repeats (as you become a better runner, you may want to up the reps or distance for this work out). Wednesday needs to be your recovery day, go about 40 minuets easy. Turn it back on when Thursday comes and do a quick 6 miles. Friday needs to be about the same. Saturday should be your day for a relaxing, enjoyable run. However, you need to make it a longer one, eight or nine if possible.

2. Proper Nutrition

To feel like an athlete, the right nutrition is a must. Your runs will not be nearly as successful if you do not eat right. Be sure to get in at least 80 grams of Soy isolate or Whey protein each day. Two servings of greens is a must and complex carbohydrates will boost your energy during runs. Eat, Eat, Eat! You must snack as much as possible. Nuts and raw vegetables work perfect for packing in nutrients. Stay away from any fried food trans-fat is a big no. Also, to much dairy can bring you down during your work outs.

3. Rest

Rest and relaxation are huge factors in running successfully. Not getting enough sleep will ruin your training and your entire day. Be sure to rest an hour or two throughout the day. Jump in the pool if possible. Getting at least seven hours of sleep a night will provide you with a completely different running experience. Try not to stress out over your runs. Thinking badly about the sport will only result in your downfall.

These three factors will provide you with the life-style you need to become a great athlete. Every successful runner has practiced the proper training, nutrition and rest in order to become a top ranked athlete. The training will prove to be the most difficult part, but with time and dedication you will be able to push through your work outs and long runs. Running successfully is a dream of every athlete. Cross-country, track, soccer, etc. become much more enjoyable when you are able to run to the best of your ability. Please try living by the three rules of training, nutrition and rest, you will find your self running better than you could imagine.