We are big believers in this organizational mantra: “Eat the frog first.” It’s a shortened version of a Mark Twain quote positing that if you eat a frog first thing in the morning, everything else will seem easy. While a little bit graphic, it’s an effective reminder to take care of your most important and most difficult tasks first. In a similar vein, it’s important to choose the order of your exercise sessions wisely, according to this new story: “We Asked an Exercise Physiologist If You Should Do Cardio Before or After Lifting Weights.” The best order depends on your priorities. Run first if endurance is your main goal, or lift first if you’re focused on building strength. Either way, starting with a light cardio warm-up before lifting can prime you for strong performance. Exercise physiologist Dennis Kerrigan recommends a mix of both activities for general health, since aerobic exercise supports cardiovascular health and strength training helps preserve muscle mass and reduce fall risk as we age. For runners looking to make the two work together, “The Hybrid Athlete’s Week: How to Lift and Run Without Wrecking Either” recommends keeping hard days hard. That means pairing a morning interval or tempo run with an afternoon lifting session, leaving your easier days free for recovery. Short on gym time? Focus on single-leg exercises like split squats, step-ups, and single-leg Romanian deadlifts to build stability. As mileage increases ahead of a race, reduce the number of lifting sets or sessions, but try to maintain the weight you’re using so you preserve strength. You might have to give up chasing a gym PR or two, but your legs will probably thank you on race day.

#LiftToRunAnotherDay