In How to Get Started … Running we discussed the facts about running:
- It is an exercise you can take anywhere
- You do not need a lot of special equipment to run
- You can run outdoors
- You can run indoors
- Running is a cardiovascular sport that boosts your metabolism, strengthens your heart and burns a ton of calories
Running is not for everyone, though. For example, I have a bad knee and a lot of running is far too punishing for my knee. It hurts me more than it helps me. I prefer fitness walking and bicycling to running. On the other hand, I know runners who prefer the feeling of slapping the pavement with their feet. They like the way their heart races and the sweat trickles down. They like the rhythmic pounding as their heart and their feet drum out the cadence of their fitness.
As physical activities go, running is right up there with sports for getting your adrenaline flying. Running can be high or low impact, but whether you ‘jog’ the low impact version or you ‘run’ the high impact version, your body releases a lot of endorphins – all designed to boost your performance and how you feel. Those endorphins are what make you feel like you’re flying when you’re running. They make you feel like you can go anywhere and do anything and that’s what makes running such a great complement to any personal workout – especially if you enjoy running.
Be sure to check out the articles on running here in the fitness blog. They are designed to help you maximize your workout, to get started and to build a running program that works for you. You should also find strength training tips on how to strength train if you’re a runner.
Do you put the R in Running?