Cosmopolitan

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The running rules

If you really want to get in shape for bikini season, take yourself out for a run! It's free easy and burns crazy amounts of calories. Here's Cosmo's top ten golden rules of running...

1. Keep your head tilted down slightly, concentrate on the ground 10ft in front of you and relax your jaw and neck.
2. You should be able to talk in full sentences whilst running - if you can’t, slow down!
3. Two hours before running, eat carbs and protein for energy.
4. Don’t keep running shoes for too long! Most have a shelf life of about 400 miles, so keep track of how far you jog.
5. Always run facing the traffic, except when going round blind corners.
6. Your hips should always be in line with your head and shoulders so that your feet hit the ground directly under your hips.
7. If you go for early morning runs, dress as if it’s ten degrees warmer than it actually is to allow for sweating.
8. Hold your arms low at a ninety degree angle and swing them as you run. Your thumbs should be touching the top of your index fingers, as if you are cupping an egg.
9. You will only injure yourself if you run too far too soon. Start with a ten minute brisk walk to warm up, a mile-long run and a ten minute brisk walk again. Increase your mileage by 10% each week.
10. Make sure your shoulders are relaxed and square and avoid hunching over so that you can breathe properly.