The magic of tea

As you sit and sip on your morning cup of tea, consider the ample benefits that the simple cup of tea holds for us as humans and runners.

Tea is extremely high in anti-oxidants and particular types of tea (mainly green and rooibos teas) have a very calming effect on us. In fact many serious athletes that I have spoken to have taken to drinking a cup of green tea prior to each big event. This not only calms the nerves, but also helps with the digestion process of the meal that they will have consumed prior to competing.

Green tea is also packed with many good free radical fighting anti-oxidants which help to ward off the nasty things that can lead to cancer.

The marathon monks of Mount Hiei are renowned for being people who complete their very arduous marathon walks drinking at times only green tea for days on end while meditating and not sleeping. They achieve a much higher level on consciousness than the rest of us and although it continues to astound western medical experts as to how they survive, it is testament to the power of the mind and the virtues of the tea that they consume.

Black tea has also been put forward by many ultra runners as a method of hardening up the feet for the many miles spent running. Soaking ones feet in black tea is not something that I have tried, but if I ever decided to attempt a 100 miler or some such longer race, then I would definitely consider doing so.

As is so often said, we are all experiments of one and I encourage you to undertake some of these experiments and to revert with your findings.

Running together – stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller