Let’s Get Running

Getting ready for Hot Girl Summer? Different forms of cardio are all of the rave within the past few weeks. It’s a simple way to burn a ton of calories while altering something you do every day, just like walking. There are so many different methods of cardio that are trending on TikTok, like running miles per day, spin classes, or even walking incline on a treadmill just for a few minutes per day.

All About the Fit

One of the most important things about running is making sure you have the right supplies for the occasion. Whether you are running inside or outside, make sure you have breathable clothes and, most importantly, layers! One of the best types of clothing you can wear when running is dri-fit technology fabric. This fabric is known to pick up your sweat and aerate it so that the sweat isn’t all over your body. It is also super comfortable and can prevent chafing on your body.

Next step: Layers. This is super important when running outside, especially in State College. You never want to go out in just a short-sleeved shirt and shorts because of the frigid weather, so you’ll want to have layers that you can remove from your body if needed. A simple layer combo can be a dri-fit short sleeve, quarter zip, zip-up, leggings and optionally sweatpants on top.

Another key component to running is making sure you have the right pair of shoes. This is the most important part. Knowing some simple tricks about choosing the right shoe for you can help immensely. There are different tilts in a foot just based on how you stand. It isn’t something you can change as it is just the way you grew and the way you walk everyday. There are three different tilts of the foot. First you have pronation which is the tilt of the foot inwards. Next you have the normal, which means your foot does not tilt either way. Lastly you have supination, which means your foot tilts outwards.

To find out which one you are, look up a chart, and then take a picture of the back of your ankles, and see which way your foot tilts.

For pronated feet look for shoes that offer more stability. These brands are ones such as Brooks, Asics, and New Balance.

For supinated feet look for shoes that help provide a lot of cushioning with light tilt. This is going to be your classic Nike shoes and Hokas.

For neutral feet, you can use either of the above just based on your personal liking!

All The Steps

First, you have to make sure you get a good warmup. It can cause more harm than good for your muscles if you skip this step.
Make sure you have the right apparel on. Look good to feel good.
Get running. It might be hard at first, but building stamina is key. Start at a nice even pace, then build up to a higher intensity.
Post-run you are going to want to static stretch. Static stretching can help your muscles become more flexible and lower the chances of soreness in the following days.

Safety is always number one when it comes to running. Make sure you always have your active location on or are running with a buddy outside. If running inside make sure you are hydrated and take breaks if needed never push yourself too hard. One of the most important things is to make yourself a clear goal. Whether it is to run a 7 minute mile or be able to complete a half marathon, making sure you have a set plan is one of the most important parts of getting into running. Make sure to stay safe, and happy running!

What’s your pre-workout ritual? Share your routine with us @VALLEYmag on X!