WHAT’S YOUR BODY TRYING TO TELL YOU WHILE YOU’RE RUNNING? TUNE IN AND YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH – AND YOUR RUNNING PERFORMANCE

WORDS: LIZ HOLLIS

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

Your heart rate soars, your lungs are at capacity and your mind is strung out between wanting to push to the finish-line and the urge to stop the pain required by such effort. While it’s usually a head-clearing break from family and work life, running can feel uncomfortable at times. Such discomforts come with the territory – especially if you are trying to improve. But, alongside these expected and worthwhile pains, there is a raft of other niggling symptoms that can pop up while you’re running – and it’s worthwhile listening to what they are trying to tell you.

Whether it’s tingling fingers, a headache, black toenails, achy shoulders or a run that feels extra hard – don’t ignore these less-routine running grumbles. They can provide you with vital clues that can help you boost your health and wellbeing, as well as your running performance.

“Listen to your body when you run. It has lots to tell you about your stress levels, nutrition, hydration and your lifestyle – and what you need to do to make improvements to run and feel better”, says running coach Rodger Hughes, from performancerunning.co.uk. So while it’s easy to forget to eat well and drink plenty when you’re caring for kids and working hard, head out on a run and your body will soon flag up exactly what it needs to function well.