Trail runs are fun, invigorating, and challenging. They put your mind and body to work because you don’t have the luxury of not being able to pay attention to your surroundings. You don’t have a flat, paved path to run on. You are putting your body to its limits, which is why you need to kick your post-run cooldown up a notch. You need to come down from your adrenaline rush and collect yourself, and you need to follow this guide:
Always Remember Your Post Workout Routine
The best part about running is that you can start cooling down before the trail even ends. Though yes, the more difficult the terrain is, the more challenging it will be to cool down, all you really need to do is change from a run to a walk when it nears the end. Try to get at least 10 minutes of a lighter run, cool yourself off with some water, and then consider doing a post workout routine. The cold water is especially important if you are going to be driving yourself home from the hiking trail, as it will help regulate body temperature and reduce any swelling.
Replenish Fluids and Have a Light Snack
Workouts put a lot of stress on the body, which is why you need to go through a proper post-workout cooldown and replenish your lost fluids and even eat something light to keep going. This is critical if you feel woozy after your workout, as your electrolyte levels might be low. To replenish them, try eating a banana to replace potassium levels, add a pinch of salt to your water bottle to help you retain the water, drink some calcium and eat healthy snacks that replace lost magnesium levels.
Calm Your Mind by Focusing On a Fun Game
One thing that far too many people underestimate is how mentally taxing exercise is. This is particularly true outdoor sportsmen, where you can not let your mind wander as easily as if you were exercising in a gym or going for a run in the city. You need to be focused at all times, which is why one part of your cooldown regimen that you might not have adopted yet is a cool down game to have fun with. You will still be hyped up on adrenaline from your run, so cool down with a few casino games on Unibet. This way you can enjoy something exciting as you slowly start to calm down after your run.
Remember to Always Shower Afterwards
Cooling down is an important part to any post-workout cool-down, but you will need to shower properly once you get home. Old sweat that has attracted bacteria can become trapped between you and your clothes, and this, in turn, can cause rashes and even acne to form if you don’t change out of your clothing as soon as possible.
Trail runs are fun, and challenging, but for your health and for how you feel during the rest of your day you have always to remember and prioritize your cool down. Between the physical exertion and adrenaline, you need time to cool down and recover, and the better your routine, the easier it will be.
