Running: Pure, Basic but Powerful Cardio

Running has to be the most simple, purest form of cardio. I feel like all other forms of cardio extend from running. For example, biking, hiking and swimming can all benefit from running. What running gives you is a good way to pace your physical activity with just yourself and your body. There is nothing to complicate the cardio with a mechanical machine like a bike or water like swimming. This is what makes running so powerful is the fact that you can use it gauge your physical stamina and endurance with just your body alone.  You can run anywhere and everywhere. You don’t need much equipment to run like you do with other sports. Feel like going for a run, read on to see what are my ideal running conditions. Running under these conditions will maximize your speed, time and reduce your fatigue.

Getting Ready to Run: Ideal Weather Conditions and Tips to Go the Distance

Here is how it goes down whenever I do my hour runs. One hour? Yes, one full hour with  the Android app Runkeeper running (pun intended, running, get it? >=D) in the background. Music or not, up to you. You can enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature while running or crank up your tunes to get your pumped up. When you’re ready to get your run on, see if you can run during these ideal conditions.

1. Cloudy overcast with the temperate hovering around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit
2. For beginners, ran at parks with lots of shady tree and flat plains
3. Always hug the side of trees and buildings for shade
4. Run in a straight path and look for opposing traffic
5. Remember where you go when the path forks so that you don’t get lost
6. Start off running for distance, not speed.
7. Find what is the slowest pace that you can run without stopping. Very important! This is the key to being a good runner. Don’t just stop and start walking. Just slow your speed until you can run comfortably. Only stop if you’re completely out of breath. Good runners know how slow they can go without stopping.
8. Put on some sunscreen or sunblock even on cloudy days. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can still reach you even with overcast.
9. Wear light and thin, keep your hair out your face and remove anything that will get in your way.
10. Drink water and hydrate before and after your run.
11. Finally, enjoy the outside. I’ve seen lots of runners how there. Once you’ve found your groove, you won’t feel like running is a chore.

Let RunKeeper Make You a Better Runner

I love using the Android app Runkeeper. This app keeps track of all of your physical activity, not just running. I’ve used it for biking too and it’s got a lot of other physical activities to track. I like how the app draws a Google map so that you can see the path that you’ve gone.  Helps with knowing where you’ve been and if you want to return to explore other areas.  I also like receiving audio updates about how far I’ve ran and how fast I am running. Let’s you know if you’re slowing down and need to pick up the pace. It’s nice to know when I’ve almost reached my hour.

I love to run, how about you? See if you can get out there an run more with the longer days now.