Myth 1: Stretch Before You Run
While stretching is important for athletes, static stretching (holding a stretch for a period of time) absolutely should not be done before running. Static stretching is best to do after your run. Instead, warm up with dynamic movements like walking lunges, leg swings, butt kicks, high knees and straight leg kicks.
More: Before you Run: The Dynamic Warm-Up
Myth 2: Hydrate With a Sports Drink
With so many different beverages on the market and the warnings about staying hydrated, grabbing a sports drink seems like a good choice. But it's not necessarily the correct choice. If your workout is less than one hour long, there's no need to consume a sports drink. Choose water for those shorter workouts. If your workout is longer than an hour, then you should consume a sports drink to replace calories and electrolytes lost during training.
More: Sports Drink Myths Debunked
Myth 3: Eat Pasta Before a Race
Many athletes think they need to carb load before an event. Truth is, unless your event is longer than two hours, there's no need to alter your diet in any way. If your event is over two hours, it's beneficial to increase your carbohydrate consumption in the week leading up to the race; not the night before. Instead of gorging at the pre-race pasta dinner, eat something you've had during training so that you know it won't upset your stomach.
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