Benefits of Running
Running is good for health. Unlike other sports, it does not require money to indulge in. Remember, all men were born to run!
Running relieves stress. Running decreases anxiety and depression by releasing endorphins that increase one’s sense of well-being.
Running helps you sleep better. According to a Stanford University School of Medicine study, joggers slept an average of 50 minutes more a night than non-joggers, and catching those z’s was much more profound and extended.
Running improves your sex life. US researchers studied recreational runners aged 18 to 59 years old. After starting their running routine, they found that many marathoners experienced enhanced sexual function, including improvements in desire, arousal, orgasmic function, and overall satisfaction.
Who can be a runner? You can be a runner if you have just started walking or reached the age of 90. You can run even if you cannot run for one minute or even if you cannot run for three minutes.
You can be a runner if your maximum speed is 10 minutes/km or even 5 minutes/km. If you tire after walking for 2 hours or 1 hour, you can be a runner. Running is running and not marathon running!
Running provides peace of mind and internal happiness that many other sports fail to provide. It increases self-confidence in our day-to-day activities by giving us physical fitness, stamina, power, and endurance, prerequisites in all walks of life.
For example, in the Indian Army, Paratroopers who pass out as officers must complete 20 successful jumps. They are made to jump from an aircraft at 6000 to 8000 feet with a full load on their body.
After completing this course, 80% of this personnel become pros in their daily activities (e.g., climbing stairs without getting tired, carrying weights, trekking). Only 20% join Para SF and MARCOS, born with such genes!
Running is good for your health irrespective of your physical appearance, like skinny or fat. People say that if you cannot run for 3 minutes (1 minute running and 2 minutes walking), you should not start jogging/running because it is terrible for your knees and joints, etc. But they do not understand!
The picture above shows the difference. Both people are running, and their postures are the same. “How to get started with jogging/running.”
1—Start slowly: Jog for 1 minute running and 2 minutes walking, or walk for 5 minutes and jog for 1 minute. There is no need to measure time! Do this three times a day, every day early in the morning.
2—Slowly increase your jog/run duration: Increase 30 seconds every day until it is 4 to 5 minutes. Then stop increasing it further, but continue doing it daily in the early morning or whatever suits you best!
3—Faster speeds: Once you have become habitual to this routine, eliminate walking entirely from your schedule and only jog at whatever pace you feel comfortable.
4—Increase in speeds: After two months of jogging/running, try increasing your running speed and see how it feels! You will be surprised by the improvements in your speed and endurance.
5—Running with others: Join a group or club where you can run together at faster speeds with short rests and recoveries. This way, you can push each other to improve the quality and quantity of your training.
6—Track your performance: Track how much you improve every day. Run on a mark to measure your speed every day after some days/months.
7—Compete with yourself, not others! If someone is better than you or is overtaking you at your speed, relax and enjoy the breeze touching your face while running!
8—Enjoyment matters most: Many people think they have to suffer pain to benefit from jogging/running. This is one big mistake! First, build up habits of jogging/running, then slowly try more challenging levels if possible until you get the desired level, but never push yourself beyond the limit; otherwise, injuries are waiting for you.
9- Never forget to do stretches before and after running. If you plan to jog for more than 30 minutes, do plays before jogging.
10—Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, sugarless tea, coffee, etc., during training sessions and before and after them.
11—You can eat anything you like (within your limits), but never starve or go hungry! Starving only weakens the body and does not burn extra calories!
If there was ever a sport that could be done by anybody at any age, anywhere with no equipment whatsoever – it’s running. You don’t need weights or even sneakers because all you need to run is a good pair of lungs and strong legs.
You only need to go out for a run, perform some stretches, and get started running. You don’t even need shoes if you want to run on the road or outside of your local park – shoes are more of a comfort factor than anything else because they’re designed with thick padding and support, making them better suited for runs that last beyond 10 minutes. It’s up to you to use them, but it all comes down to preference and comfort level.