(3) Get the lab results (aka the Certificate of Analysis (CofA)) 

Because of the gross lack of regulation in the CBD industry, companies are able to put whatever they’d like on the label. Remember the statistics from part 1 of this blog series? Out of 84 products from 31 different companies, nearly 70% were mislabeled (Bonn-Miller, et al. 2017). 

A CofA ensures that the product was third-party tested, and is a great way to avoid fraudulent claims about potency and purity. Just look for the batch number of the product you’re looking to buy! At the end of this post, I've attached an example of Allay's most recent CofA- annotated to show exactly what to look for.

With a CofA, you’ll be able to find the following: 

1. Pesticides and other contaminants:

A CofA will show you exactly what pesticides, heavy metals, and toxic residue may still exist in the final product. CBD products that were extracted using butane, for example, can have toxic residue that may increase one’s risk of cancer. A CofA will also show you if there is any mold or bacteria in your product- just look for the “Microbiological Testing.” 

1. Potency- How much CBD is really in your product 

Is what your buying really going to be effective? Is the money your spending really worth it, or will it be wasted on a weak product? You can find the total count of CBD, CBDa, CBN, and THC under “cannabinoid summary.” By looking at the full cannabinoid summary you can ensure that the product you are buying is truly full-spectrum, whole plant medicine. 

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Runners Rituals to Get You Race Ready & Injury Free

​If you’re gearing up for the fall running season (and maybe even have a marathon on your bucket list!) you might be focused on pace, form, and distance (and understandably so). But it’s the pre-run rituals that often get forgotten that will help you run smarter, avoid injury, improve form, and transform your entire running experience.

If you’re gearing up for the fall running season (and maybe even have a marathon on your bucket list!) you might be focused on pace, form, and distance (and understandably so). But it’s the pre-run rituals that often get forgotten that will help you run smarter, avoid injury, improve form, and transform your entire running experience. 
Regardless of whether you’re preparing for a 5K fun run, a half marathon, or you’ve got your eyes set on the NYC or Chicago marathons—build these into your training plans and keep your all-important preparations on track.

Tune Into Your Body

Before you hit the trail, take a moment to pause and tune into your body. Which muscles feel tight, does anything feel out of balance or uncomfortable? It’s crucial to listen closely to your body—this can go a long way in preventing minor annoyances turning into something more serious and sidelining yourself.

Dynamic Stretching

Running is a full-body, dynamic workout and your pre-run stretch routine should reflect that. Dynamic stretches (as opposed to static stretches like a hamstring stretch) prepare your joints and muscles by mimicking the activity you’re about to do. They work to increase blood flow to the muscles, alleviate tension, and improve your flexibility. Prime your body for action with stretches like side lunges, single-leg deadlifts, straight-leg lateral swings, knee hugs, hamstring sweeps, calf raises, and ankle circles.

Before You Run -Hydrate
Similar to the way that last-minute cramming for a test rarely helps you pass, guzzling down water the morning before a long run won’t hydrate your body to its optimum extent (and result in more bathroom breaks). Instead of binge-drinking—aim to keep a water bottle handy all week long and drink eight 8-ounce (64 oz. total) glasses of water each day. The exact amount of water you need to drink directly before your run depends on the elements (temperature and humidity) as well as the distance you’re taking on.

Rest Days

Including rest days in your training schedule is a crucial part of allowing your body adequate time to recover and adapt to a running workout. Put simply: you can train harder when you rest up (even if that looks like going for a relaxing walk or taking a restorative yoga class) and decrease the likelihood of overextending your body. 

Strength Training
When you run, there’s a long list of muscles that get worked: quads, hip flexors, hamstrings, your core, back, abdominals, and calf muscles (to name a few!). Supplementing running with strength training exercises will not only help you avoid injury, but it will also make you a stronger, faster, and more efficient runner. Strengthen your muscles and joints, improve mobility and even stride efficiency with exercises like planks, squats, overhead press, lunges, and alternating rows.

Breath
Getting your body race ready is key, but mentally preparing and taking time to get your mind on board too is sometimes half the battle! Place your hand on your belly, close your eyes, remind yourself why you’re doing this, and take five slow, deep breaths. This will also help you to set out at a comfortable pace (rather than starting too hard), helping you last the full distance.

Runners and or athletes at all levels can benefit from CBD, whether it’s an oil or a topical it is always best to speak a medical professional before attempting to self-medicate. Please share your stories and reach out to us with any questions. We have a FAQ page on our site and you can always purchase our organic whole plant product online. 



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​Whether you're a professional athlete or want to get in a workout like a pro, you can take advantage of the many benefits that CBD can bring.  When you integrate CBD into your pre- and post-workout routine, the results may offer you more significant benefits by addressing issues that are common among athletes. Here three key benefits that CBD brings to athletes.
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Reduces Swelling and Pain
It’s no secret that you can experience swelling from a sports injury or even from exercise. But with the help of and CBD, you can keep the swelling at bay. Swelling is often a result of inflammation, and Allay can help in reducing inflammation by using anti-inflammatory components to stop the activity that promotes the inflammation. CBD is also useful in managing the pain that can come with a swollen ankle. Thanks to CBD’s ability to tap into the brain’s endocannabinoid system, managing pain from exercise or a sports injury is doable.
 
Enhances Your Sleep
As an athlete, your body needs rest to regain its energy and have time to develop and get stronger. CBD assists in stopping the reabsorption process of the chemical adenosine triphosphate (ATP). You need carbohydrates for energy, and adenosine triphosphate helps deteriorates as your brain burns these carbohydrates. However, the more ATP you have, the calmer you get. Thus, CBD helps induce sleep, as well as  stay asleep longer. Allay ’s properties also encourage deep sleep by releasing elements, such as glycogen and melatonin, that are needed for deep sleep and body functions during sleep.
 
Reduces Recovery Time 
Inflammation is a major issue for some athletes during a workout or competition. Some find the discomfort so painful that they have to step out of the race. Fortunately, CBD can help reduce inflammation in joints and muscles. It works by binding to your CB2 receptors to help calm down your body’s response following a hard workout. This allows for a reduction in the discomfort you may feel so you’re able to complete the exercise and keep to your training schedule.
 
Whether you’re focused on enhancing your athletic performance or  practice as a professional athlete, you can keep exercise-induced injuries, sports injuries and other ailments at bay with the help of Allay’s  organic, non-toxic product line. Shop now or check out additional resources at Allay CBD, to take advantage of its many benefits.

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