Find Your Happy Pace
September 9, 2020
The word "running" usually results in one of two reactions: either you LOVE it, or you LOATHE it! But you cannot deny the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of a good run.
Here are 10 benefits of running that can make you healthier AND happier!
RUNNING IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEART. EVEN AS LITTLE AS 10 MINUTES A DAY AT SLOW SPEEDS (12-MINUTES/MILE) IS ASSOCIATED WITH A DRASTICALLY REDUCED RISK OF DYING FROM CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, ACCORDING TO A STUDY IN THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY.
RUNNER'S HIGH IS REAL! WHEN YOU RUN, YOUR BRAIN PUMPS OUT TWO POWERFUL FEEL-GOOD CHEMICALS - ENDORPHINS AND ENDOCANNABINOIDS. THESE RESULT IN SOME AMAZING MOOD-BOOSTING EFFECTS THAT CAN LAST LONG AFTER YOUR RUN IS FINISHED.
RUNNING STRENGTHENS YOUR JOINTS. THE IMPACT OF POUNDING THE PAVEMENT STRESSES YOUR BONES AND CARTILAGE (IN A GOOD WAY), AND CAUSES THEM TO BUILD BACK STRONGER. THIS CAN REDUCE YOUR RISK OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS MORE THAN WALKING, BIKING, OR SWIMMING.
RUNNING BURNS SERIOUS CALORIES. THE AVERAGE PERSON WILL BURN ABOUT 12 CALORIES PER MINUTE WHEN RUNNING 10-MINUTES/MILE. ADD IN HILLS, SPRINTS, OR A STEADY HEADWIND AND THAT AMOUNT IS EVEN HIGHER!
RUNNING IS A GREAT CORE WORKOUT. YOUR CORE WILL BE WORKING HARD TO STABILIZE YOUR SPINE AND PELVIS DURING A RUN. A STRONG CORE IS IMPORTANT FOR MORE THAN JUST SWIMSUIT SEASON. STRENGTHENING YOUR CORE CAN IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE AND BALANCE, AND CAN HELP EASE BACK PAIN.
MINIMAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED. TRAVELING FOR WORK? NO GYM MEMBERSHIP? SHORT ON TIME? YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND 10 MINUTES TO SQUEEZE IN A QUICK RUN. THE ONLY THING YOU NEED IS A GOOD PAIR OF SHOES. NO EXCUSES!
RUNNING HELPS YOU BUILD A COMMUNITY. THE RUNNING COMMUNITY IS A STRONG ONE AND THE SOCIAL BENEFITS OF RUNNING ARE ALMOST IMMEASURABLE. GO TO A LOCAL RACE OR RUNNING STORE AND SOAK UP THE SUPPORT AND GOOD VIBES.
RUNNING FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. THE BENEFITS OF RUNNING GO WAY BEYOND THE PHYSICAL. TIME ALONE ALLOWS YOU TO THINK, PRAY, AND SORT OUT ANY STRESSES YOU MAY HAVE. MEDITATION, ALONG WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, HAS BEEN PROVEN TO IMPROVE FOCUS AND FIGHT DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY. STUDIES HAVE ALSO SHOWN THAT REGULAR AEROBIC EXERCISE CAN BOOST THE SIZE OF YOUR HIPPOCAMPUS; THE AREA OF THE BRAIN INVOLVED IN VERBAL MEMORY AND LEARNING.
(ALMOST) ANYONE CAN BECOME A RUNNER. WITH RUNNING, THERE IS NO REAL 'LEARNING CURVE' LIKE THERE CAN BE WITH GROUP DANCE CLASSES, WEIGHT LIFTING, OR YOGA. RUNNING FORM IS UNIQUE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL, AND TYPICALLY COMES NATURALLY (IF YOU DON'T OVERTHINK IT). JUST LACE UP YOUR SHOES AND AWAY YOU GO!
YOU DON'T NEED TO RUN MARATHONS TO REAP THE BENEFITS. ACCORDING TO A STUDY, RUNNING JUST 50 MINUTES PER WEEK (ABOUT 6 MILES) CAN PROTECT THE BODY FROM RISK FOR STROKE, ARTHRITIS, DIABETES, HIGH CHOLESTEROL, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, AND SOME CANCERS.
Heard enough to want to add running to your schedule? The C25K app (free on most smart phones) is a great program to get you started. Looking for more personalized guidance? You're in luck! I recently became an RRCA Certified running coach and would love to guide you to your next PR (and teach you all the running lingo, like PR, along the way).
Find your happy pace!
- Coach Mindy
References:
Shape.com
C25K App