How hiking can prepare you for your upcoming marathon

March is a very big month for marathons, both on a national level as well as on a local level. We all know that if you want to do your best when running for a cause that you have got to be in the best shape of your life. What better what to get into shape for your upcoming marathon than to improve your endurance, heart strength, circulation, energy level and how your body uses oxygen.

How do you do that? Well, there are many ways to make it happen but according to the American Heart Association, there is no better exercise than aerobic exercises like cardiovascular activities. And everyone that has ever been hiking can agree that hiking is one of the most effective aerobic exercises. There are many reasons why hiking will prepare you for that upcoming marathon.

But the main thing is it strengthens the heart which will come under an enormous amount of stress during most marathons. Hiking any local trail in your area will be beneficial but if you are preparing for a marathon you will want to pick a moderate trail over easy and hike it about three times a week starting as soon as possible.
Give yourself an ample amount of time to hike and drink plenty of water.

If you want to really give it a go for your heart and circulation health, strap on a backpack that weighs around 35 pounds and hike for about 10 miles a day at an even stride. You will want to learn the recommended level that you need to keep your heart at during aerobic exercise to strengthen it.

If you keep it there at that level for the recommended amount of time for your age and body weight you can guarantee a stronger heart and overall body in no time. Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, has many benefits. It can:

• Strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system.
• Improve your circulation and help your body use oxygen better.
• Improve your heart failure symptoms.
• Increase energy levels so you can do more activities without becoming tired or short of breath.
• Increase endurance.
• Lower blood pressure.
• Improve muscle tone and strength.
• Improve balance and joint flexibility.
• Strengthen Bones.
• Help reduce body fat and help you reach a healthy weight.
• Help reduce stress, tension, anxiety, and depression.
• Boost self-image and self-esteem.
• Improve sleep.
• Make you feel more relaxed and rested.
• Make you look fit and feel healthy.