We all know sleep is essential, but we don’t always make it a priority. It’s easy to forgo sleep in favour of an extra hour of Netflix or to scroll through social media a little longer, but understanding the real importance of sleep, especially when training, makes it a little less tempting. After an intense run the muscles are broken down and undergo micro tears, which are repaired during sleep. This happens during REM sleep (the deepest stage of sleep), the body releases growth hormones which repair muscle tissue. The muscles are paralyzed during this time to allow maximum repair. However, REM sleep usually starts 90 minutes after falling asleep and lasts an average of two hours, so if you...
Running shoes, every runner needs them, but how much attention do we really pay to them? First and foremost, you want to be comfortable when you are running, and you want your feet to be in good shape after for your next run. There’s nothing worse than finishing a run covered in blisters that will keep you out of action for a good few days. The primary need for a good running shoe is to aid your run and to prevent injuries, such as tendonitis or stress fractures. Three to eight times the runner’s body weight acts as a force on the leg muscles with each stride, so it’s crucial to have the right support. If you do feel pain...
Today is Global Running Day, a worldwide celebration of running that encourages everyone to get moving. In the spirit of Global Running Day, we wanted to highlight some of the key benefits and some that you may not have known of before. Runners High Running has mood boosting effects. When you run your brain pumps out feel-good chemicals, which act as a natural pain reliever, helping you to exercise for longer periods of time. These feel-good chemicals are endorphins and endocannabinoids. A type of endocannabinoid called anandamide is found at high levels in the blood of people who have recently completed a run, and research suggests that anandamide may trigger runner’s high, releasing short term positive effects such as reducing...
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Grooming your dog is important to keep them feeling great and looking great. It is a brilliant way to strengthen the bond with your pet, spend some quality time with them and allows you to check for any unusual signs that they might be unwell. Here are some of the dog grooming basics. Brushing Brushing your dog regularly will help to keep their hair in good condition, remove dirt and prevent any tangles. It also helps to spread the natural oils in your dog’s coat, which keeps it shiny and healthy. Usually, dogs with shorter coats require less grooming than those with medium to long hair. Some with very short hair may not need brushing at all, but rather a...
