Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting to explore your first running group, improving your performance will always be a top priority. Getting faster, stronger, and fitter is something that every runner can strive to do.

When it comes to running, there are countless ways in which you can improve your skills. However, there are also specific actions that can be taken to accelerate your progress.

One of the most effective ways of improving your running is by incorporating a healthy diet and regular fitness activities.

These two factors are of particular relevance to runners, since both are essential for sustainable running performance.

Thankfully, the benefits of eating apples go far beyond just being tasty. In fact, they are so beneficial to the body that most runners will already be familiar with them.

Here’s everything that you need to know about the health benefits of apples, as well as the ways in which you can incorporate them into your running routine.

Health Benefits of Apples for Runners

There are many ways in which eating apples can help you improve your running. The most common benefits include:

– Increased Endurance – Studies have shown that runners who incorporate apples into their diet are more likely to have an increased endurance level. Aside from being a great snack before and after workouts, apples will also serve as an excellent source of carbohydrates.

– Reduced Joint Pain – This is an especially relevant trait for runners who are prone to joint pain, as it can help improve movement, reduce inflammation, and provide better muscle contractions.

– Increased Recovery – Recovery is essential to staying healthy since it helps to prevent injuries and prevents fatigue. By eating apples regularly, you can ensure that the body can recover faster and improve the amount of time before you need to take rest breaks.

– Stronger Running muscles – It’s not just the muscles in your legs that will improve when you eat apples. Your upper body will also experience an increase in strength thanks to the high levels of protein found in apples.

The Best Way to Include Apples in Your Running Routine

Eating apples regularly is an easy way of improving your running performance

Before you plan your meals for the week ahead, consider including apples as a staple in your diet.

If you’re not a fan of eating them straight from the fruit, you can also prepare applesauce and use it as a condiment for soups, smoothies, and salads.

Alternatively, you can also zap some apples with a blender and make a healthy recovery smoothie for when you need to take a break from running.

The Downsides of Eating Apples Before Running

Eating an apple before you run could be counterproductive and even dangerous.

Although apples are a healthy food, they are not the best choice before you begin exercising.

The reason is that they contain very low levels of glycogen, the fuel source used by muscles.

If you eat a large apple before you begin running, you will burn a lot of calories, but they will be coming from the stores that your muscles don’t have.

This would only lead to muscle fatigue, which is not what you want before starting a workout.

Instead, you should eat a banana or drink a sports drink, which would provide the necessary amount of energy without putting undue stress on the body.

The Benefits of Exercising on an Apple Day

If you’re like most runners, you’re probably not getting enough exercise on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, a lot of people feel that they need to incorporate hours of running every week in order to improve their performance.

The truth is that there is no one workout that will make you a better runner, and you should approach your workouts with a balance of running and strength training.

For starters, you should spend at least 30 minutes, 3 days a week doing strength training. Doing this kind of activity will increase your upper-body strength and help you break through any form of physical limitation.

Another great thing about exercising on an apple day is that you can often do it at home, saving on parking fees, gym fees, and gas.

Running outside can be a great way of improving your fitness and strength, so why not make it a part of your apple day routine?

Conclusion

Eating apples regularly is a great way of improving your running performance.

They’re rich in Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, which will help you stay hydrated and feel full, while also giving you energy to power through your workouts.

Eating apples before you exercise is not the best way to consume them – it will only result in muscle fatigue.

Instead, you should eat a banana or drink a sports drink, which would provide the necessary amount of energy without putting undue stress on the body.

Running outside is a great way of improving your fitness and strength, so why not make it a part of your apple day routine?