Sylvaine, an ultra-trail runner who's always on the lookout for new challenges, offers you 10 tips for getting into the sport in the best possible conditions.
"Are you motivated to take up sport seriously? Great, don't hold back, just go for it! Sport is a gas pedal of happiness and good humor, so there's no reason to deprive yourself of it. However, for it to be beneficial and bring you more advantages than disadvantages, there are a few points to validate. Let's take a look at them.
Sylvaine CUSSOT
It's not for nothing that sports clubs require a medical certificate before accepting a new member. Before diving headlong into any physical activity, make sure you visit your doctor to check that all the lights are green for a safe start!
It's a costly investment, but one that will save you from injury after just a few months of practice. Choose a model of sports shoe suited to your chosen discipline, depending on the type of terrain you'll be using.
Of course, you can keep your old cotton tee-shirt that you also use for household chores, but frankly, believe me, you'll be more comfortable in a breathable, lightweight, technical outfit!
For women, remember to buy a suitable sports bra, to ensure support in all circumstances.
Sometimes the days are just too short. And it's not always easy to fit a sports session into an already busy schedule, without encroaching on family or professional life.
Sit back and decide which time slot is best for you (morning, noon or evening), depending on your lifestyle.
If you're starting from scratch, be sensible and start with short, low-intensity sessions. Space them out to allow time for recovery. It's better to do 3 short sessions a week than one long, tiring one.
As you go along, you can increase the frequency and intensity. But you need to give your body time to adapt!
Sit back and decide which time slot is best for you (morning, noon or evening), depending on your lifestyle.
You don't become an athlete overnight! The results will come, but not necessarily as quickly as you had imagined. The best way to get disillusioned and give up is not to be realistic about your level.
If you're too ambitious, you'll feel like a failure. So set goals that match your abilities!
It's your fuel to keep up the pace without collapsing before the end of your session! To keep up with the pace, you need energy, which you get from your diet. Eating well is simple: eat a balanced diet and avoid excess. And don't forget to stay well hydrated, before, during and after exercise!
We often skip this "stretching" section, because we don't have enough time. And yet, it would be better to shorten your session by 10/15′, and insert a short stretching session instead. Not to be done after an intense sports session, when muscle fibers will already have been put under great strain.
Ideally, you should schedule this stretching session outside your sports sessions!
It's good to sit down and analyze your work. It allows you to note areas for progress, and work on things that need to be corrected. It's a good motivator. But be careful not to focus on it. There will be times when you're not so good, but that doesn't mean you're ready to put your shoes on again.
Are you sometimes lacking in motivation? There's nothing like training in a group to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and help you excel!
"Good sport to all, and don't forget to smile even in suffering!" - Sylvaine
Sylvaine
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