Preparing for DNA iCan Run? Here's what you should do

DNA iCan Run is just around the corner and first-time runners who have just a week of preparation time at hand could use some tips. Lack of preparation could lead to injuries and the last few days before a marathon should be about getting your heart and muscles ready for the action ahead.

Eating ample carbohydrates and being well hydrated is the key to a good marathon. "A marathon runner may experience dehydration due to multiple factors like the weather, metabolic rate, exercise intensity and others.

Increasing degrees of dehydration may lead to unfortunate occurrences of 'heat cramps or muscle cramps', 'heat exhaustion' or 'heat stroke'. Runners should continually rehydrate themselves and fight fatigue during the run," said Ashish Kaushik, Consultant, Sports Medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

Your body also needs to have optimal levels of sodium and potassium which will help in improving muscle strength and reducing physiological stress of the run. This will enhance the overall running capacity.