Which of these running buddies fits your regiment?

Running is a very physically demanding activity, and not everyone is extremely fond of it. So during those times that you’re looking for a running buddy but can’t find anyone, what do you do? Let’s try running dogs! As you know, dogs are very fun companions and can be very energetic. But, the amount of activity a dog does depends on its breed. Some dogs can handle the running regiments in extreme temperatures, as others can’t. Runner’s World has a nice article you can read here to find out your perfect dog.

To break it down though, If you’re looking for a overall good running companion, you’d want to look for dogs that are predisposed for some heavy duty running like greyhounds. Greyhound dogs are pretty much known for being the running dog, since we pretty much always associate them with the greyhound races. German shepherd dogs are also a great for a good run in regular or cold weather because they are naturally energetic dogs and need the physical interaction. Their thick coat allows good insulation for days that are too chilly for shorter coat dogs to handle. However, there are several other dogs that can fit conditions like slow, long runs or intense terrain based running regiments as well. Check out the article to see which breed of man’s best friend will be your best running buddy for your specific routine.

Shin splints suck, so let’s see how to prevent them!

Shin splints are always the source of concern for many runners. Not only do shin splints hurt, but they hinder your training and running capabilities. Many factors contribute to it, but what should you do when you get it? Though the following may seem like routine for many, it is still good to be aware of what you can do to reduce the pain and swelling because shin splints can lead to worse problems like stress fractures to the bone. The most obvious thing you should do is icing the shin area where you’re experiencing the pain. Doing this will help reduce the pain and any swelling that occurs. Depending on the severity, this should be done 20-30 minutes at a time until the pain dissipates. Essentially following this, you’ll want to rest up your body. You HAVE to let your shin heal up; any more activity could lead to some permanent damage to your shin area. You can take over-the-counter pain relief medication as well, if you feel the need to take them.

If you are flat footed, you should especially take care of your shin splints, as your injuries are more prevalent due to your lack of curvature. Flat-footed runners are more likely to suffer shin splints because the lack of the foot’s curve causes it to experience more shock from running than someone with regular feet.  If you want to prevent the arduousness of shin splints consider running on smoother, softer paths than on pure concrete. Also, consider getting custom fitted shoes that can help absorb the shock of the foot impact. Flat-footed runners should also consider shoes that assist with adding support for their feet. Stretching is ESSENTIAL to prevent shin splints as it helps the muscles in your legs stretch properly. If you follow these simple procedures, you can prevent yourself from getting the pain that no runner really wants to deal with during their training.

This bottle can save you the burden of carrying bulky gear for water.

Running great distances will definitely make you thirsty. Of course, the most logical approach to this is to purchase hydration gear to help solve this problem. However, is just anything acceptable for your run? Having the hydration packs that are strapped to your back can pose a problem as it seems unlikely that you can forget that you have a roughly 3 pound pouch hypothetically strapped to your back. Not every waist strapped bottle may work either, as the motions made from running can cause your bottle to strike you in uncomfortable areas. However, it would seem that Ultimate Direction’s products might potentially fix this issue in carrying hydration gear. Their product, the FastDraw Plus, fits snug on your writ while you grasp the 20 ounce bottle, eliminating almost any discomfort a runner my experience during long distance runs where water or other fluids may be necessary for rehydration. Not just that, but this ingenious is on sale at their website for 19.95; it also comes in various colors. This is not to say that the other methods of carrying your fluids are not efficient, however. Every runner has their own preference on carrying their fluids, but FastDraw Plus does seem to eliminate several problems that the other hydration equipment poses.