Is it your first time running? Are you worried about sustaining injuries or running out of breath even before you can reach the finish line?

Fear not as international marathoner and RUNRIO, Inc. president Rio de la Cruz shares his expertise with beginner runners in preparation for Maxicare MAXIFEST: Live Your Best Life, Maxicare’s biggest health and wellness event.

Whether you are a rookie runner or a seasoned health enthusiast, here are some pointers from Coach Rio that can help you gear up for the race:

Remember to warm-up. Aside from increasing your heart rate, a good warm-up is important because it makes your muscles flexible and gives enough oxygen to endure the physical activities you’ll be doing. This will prevent your body from feeling stiff and sore after running. You can get ready by jogging or walking briskly for 20 to 30 minutes before the actual run.

Listen to your body. Push but don’t force – that is what your mindset should be when running. If you are just a beginner, it is okay if you won’t be able to run as far or as fast as other runners. When you feel your feet or the side of your torso hurting, take time to stop or slow down.

Learn proper running footstrike. According to Coach Rio, the way you plant your feet on the ground makes all the difference. There are three common running footstrikes: heel style, where your heel hits the ground first; the forefoot style, where you run on the ball of your foot; and the midfoot style, where most of your foot hits the ground at once – this is the most neutral running footstrike because it balances out your weight.

Try out some functional exercises. Functional training is a way to strengthen the body by doing exercises that mimic everyday movements just like lifting groceries or walking up the stairs. These exercises play a crucial role in boosting endurance, improving balance and posture, and enhancing strength and agility.

For this year’s MAXIFEST, the country’s leading HMO has partnered with RUNRIO, Inc., one of the premiere race organizers in the country, for the Maxicare MAXIFEST run which features different running courses and distances for all sorts of runners. There will also be a Maxicare Market, a one-stop shop for ready-to-eat plant-based alternatives.

The highlight of Maxicare MAXIFEST 2019 will be the attempt to set a new Guinness World Record that aims to help support the children of Kythe Foundation, the beneficiary of the event. Kythe Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-stock organization aimed towards improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness.

Registration to Maxicare MAXIFEST is ongoing. Simply visit https://www.runrio.com/race/registration/maxifest-2019. For more info, log on to https://www.maxicare.com.ph or https://www.facebook.com/maxicarehealthcarecorp/.