Trail Run Workout + Warm-Up

Well, today is not on a Track; it's on a Trail. A BEAUTIFUL Trail might I add!

Let's not speed right past the warm-up and jump straight into the workout-out! NO, don't do it! Let's take an extra 5-10min to warm-up our muscles and take care of our bodies before we put it through a high-stress workout! Trust me, you'll thank me later!

Here is why... A proper warm-up serves two definite purposes:

#1. Performance Enhancement: A warm-up prepares the body for racing by increasing blood flow to the muscles, which delivers oxygen and glycogen for energy and performance.

#2. Prevent Injury: Once your muscles are warmed-up and activated (by way of the 'hip swings' see below) your brain is signaling to the body to... "Wake up! It's time to WORK!"

I've learned the hard way that not properly warming up can cause hip, knee, leg pain & even Plantar Faciitis (NO FUN!) These moves only take 5-10min and save you hours from pain! Lateral Leg Raises- Right Leg (10 Reps) Lateral Leg Raises- Left Leg (10 Reps) Vertical Leg Pumps- Right Leg (10 Reps) Vertical Leg Pumps-Left Leg (10 Reps) Hip Circles- Clockwise/Counter Clockwise (10 Reps each Direction) Jumping Jacks (20-30 Reps) You don't have to repeat the set or be limited by the reps I recommended. This is the time to focus on connecting your mind to your muscles. Listen to your body. Do more repetitions if you need to in order to loosen up your hips. Repeat the whole set if you need a longer warm-up. I recommend repeating this set in colder months especially as you'll need more work to heat up the body.