How To Prepare For A Long Run

Although I’ve been running for years, it’s only been in the last year or so that I’ve realised that I’ve been doing many things so wrong.

I thought that I was maybe just not a very good runner, and I was okay with that. I continued running even though I was making little progress and getting injured regularly. I knew it was good for me to run so I just keep doing it anyway.

But over the last year, when running has been pretty much the only exercise I could do, due to the lack of space in my tiny, one-bed flat, I’ve become determined to become a better runner, and I think I’ve perfected my pre-run preparation. So, here are a few things I’ve discovered and my top tips for any runner:

1. Proper nutrition.

Think about what you’re eating a few days before your long run, not just the morning of, or the night before. Carbs are your friends! Get in plenty of rice, pasta or oatmeal to your diet (personally, I don’t have to be told twice to eat my carbs — pasta, bread? Pass them here please). I’ve always had a very sensitive stomach, and to be honest, I had just come to accept this rather than trying to find the root of the problem. Eating too much fibre before your runs will make for a very uncomfortable run, so avoid eating too many leafy greens and veggies (if you must, a smoothie is a better option!)