A good running sock may be the most important piece of training equipment in the bag.
The Best Running Socks
Aren’t socks just, well, socks? This is really a more legitimate question than some people might realize. According to observers of the running world and the running apparel industry, even experienced runners sometimes don’t understand what makes a running sock a running sock. With special materials, construction and durability, socks made specifically for running can help the individual get the most out of an exercise or competition experience.
What They Are
Another way to look at this difference would be to use another item of exercise/competition apparel. The jersey, as it is called, has a place in nearly every sport – basketball, football, baseball, rugby etc. There are also cycling jerseys, jerseys for everyday wear and so on. What separates a jersey from another pullover shirt, for example? Well, many of the same factors that separate an everyday sock from a running sock.
Are you thinking of taking up hiking? Hiking is an activity that is both challenging and gives you a chance to commune with nature. Before you start out on long hikes you need to know your limitations and be physically fit. Not only do you need strong legs but you also need a strong core since hiking involves many muscle groups. Along with strong muscles you also need a better than average cardiovascular system to keep up your stamina. Here are some suggested exercises to get you into shape. They specifically target muscle groups and areas that are most used for hiking.
Before working your muscles make sure you stretch first to loosen up your major muscle groups; this will prevent straining a muscle and decrease post workout aches. Also warm up for about 5 to ten minutes beforehand. Slow jogging in place or biking is a great way to get your blood pumping. Don’t over exert yourself since you’ll need to save your energy for the workout.
Since your legs will be doing most of the work while you’re hiking you should start by focusing on your lower body. Squats are an easy exercise and they can be done with or without weights. Place your feet shoulder width apart, extend your arms and slowly squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Now slowly return to a standing position. Start off slow with about 10 squats per day and slowly increase.
Your back muscles should also be a focus since it is part of your core from which your limbs use for strength. A good exercise that can be done at home is overhand and underhand pull-ups with a bar. This will also build up muscles in your arms which is useful for pulling yourself up steep grades.
Let’s start off with a few facts and let’s point out at this stage that our body after training has a greater ability to synthesis protein. Also our muscle tissue post training has greater sensitivity to insulin and simple carbohydrates will be replenished with glycogen instead of being turned into body fats.
This knowledge is in itself a great thing but it has lead bodybuilders into the habit of eating after the event and ignoring their nutrient needs at other times. For example, you need carbs well before you train in order to get through the session. You need a high blood pool of aminos DURING training to get the growth process off to the best possible start. These aminos will come from the protein you ate hours before you trained.
Make sure you eat those radical nasty goodies prior to training though so they are actually present and working in your blood stream at the point of greatest oxidative stress (during and straight after training) rather than having them hanging around in your stomach digesting while your over trained body is shouting out for help after training.
A firm eating schedule should be worked out depending on your daily routine. Let’s say that you are sat by a computer for several hours in the morning, and then your carb intake should be reduced while your protein intake should be increased. If your afternoon consists of a punishing workout, then your complex carb intake should be increased as well as fluids and antioxidants, and you will also need a mix of proteins. Post workout nutrition should be supplemented strategically based on your requirements for the coming hours.
Disclaimer: readers of this post should consult a doctor before taking any medical advice.
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