What can I tell you that’s going to make you put on a pair of running shoes and hit the road? Would you believe me if I told you that running is one of the most effective aerobic exercises? Would you believe me if I said running develops your mind and your body? Would you believe me if I told you that runners who run as little as 20 minutes 3 times a week significantly reduce their risk of developing coronary heart disease? Would you believe me if I said that running is just plain great? You would? Great! But hold on. Before you rush out the door and run a 10k, I’d like to talk to you about running.
Running IS one of the most effective aerobic exercises. But in order for the CR (aerobic) system to kick in and get a good workout, you’ve got to do it for at least twenty minutes. I’ve noticed that for the first two or three minutes of my run, I tend to breath heavier than when I’m cruising at mile 8 or so. Compare running for twenty minutes (where you can somewhat control your breathing) to climbing 3 flights of stairs (where you’re out of breath at the top). Running is aerobic and climbing those stairs is anaerobic. Sometimes I get winded on stairs. That’s got nothing to do with my CR system. Not only is it effective, but it can be done by almost everyone regardless of age, gender, fitness level or financial status. Not everyone has a swimming pool but we’ve all got good old terra firma somewhere in the neighborhood. Exercise just doesn’t get any cheaper either. Shorts and a T-shirt only cost a couple of dollars. The only thing is, you’ve got to put up some money for some good running shoes. The old adage “you get what you pay for” applies here. $20.00 running shoes are going to do nothing but hurt your feet and cause serious damage. A good pair for a casual runner can be had for around $50.00 or so. And (although I won’t endorse a specific name brand) buy name brands. Nike or New Balance running shoes are a lot better than Bob’s Brand Running Shoes (Sorry Bob). But beware, even the big names produce junk.
Running develops your mind. The influx of oxygen to the brain while running has accounted for some of my best, most ambitious plans. When I can’t think of a solution to a problem, I take that problem on my run with me. By the time I’m done running, I’ve solved the problem a hundred different times. Running on a regular basis also toughens the mind by developing self-discipline. If I can get myself up and out of bed and on my run at 5:00 am every day without fail, there’s almost nothing I can’t accomplish.
Running creates physiological changes in our bodies. Fat burns, muscle tissue develops, metabolisms increase and a host of other changes occur. Runner’s lifestyles change also. They eat healthy, tend to get more quality rest, are compelled to give up smoking and other self destructive behaviors and they tend to stress less. All of these factors greatly decrease the risk of developing a coronary disease.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, I think that running is just plain GREAT! I enjoy the solitude of my long Saturday run and I dig the festivities of a Sunday race with its competition and its camaraderie. I’ve competed in numerous athletic activities in my lifetime but nothing comes close to satisfying me (physically and mentally) the way running does. Running, when done correctly, in the proper shoes and at the appropriate intensity level for the runner, can be a great fitness activity.
Hopefully I’ve piqued your interest in running. If you want to learn how to get started, follow me. As this website grows, I’ll include more advanced training techniques and workouts. For now, let’s just start off slow.