As many of you may know, I am a runner. I’ve ran ever since I was young, doing little 1 mile races and trying to outrun my friends in the warm-up laps in gym class. Although running has pretty much always been in my life, that does not mean I’m very good at it or that it came easy to me. Because running is so hard to really get good at, it has taught me grit, perseverance, and how to believe in myself. I’ve met some amazing people through running(runners tend to be the happiest people you’ll ever meet) and it has even worked as free therapy as I run from my problems(get it, run LOL). I am a huge advocate for becoming a runner because it has so any benefits, but I am also very aware that running simply isn’t for everyone. If you are considering to start running or if you want to figure out if continuing to run is right for you, you’ve came to the right place!
Pros: Overall Health Benefits
It’s no secret that you have to be in shape to run well. With consistent practice, running will increase your VO2 max or the maximum beats per minute that your heart can function. As this happens you resting heart rate decreases, which is an indicator of overall good health. For example, the average resting heart rate for a women is between 60-100 beats per minute. According to my Garmin Forerunner 35, mine is 49. This means that my heart is stronger than the average women. Having a healthy heart can lead to a longer, fuller life. In the short term, your body releases endorphins after you run for long and hard enough(typically for at least 30 minutes and at least a little out of breathe). This creates a feeling of pleasure, or some call it a “runner’s high”. This is literally why runners are the happiest people. Your body and mind will thank you.
Cons: Injuries
Although running is not a contact sport, injuries are very common and they don’t take much to get. Injuries vary from something small like shin splints, to more serious issues like stress fractures. If you don’t take care of your body properly with stretching, rolling out, and taking rest days, your chance of getting injured increases. Even people that do everything they can to stay healthy can end up getting injured. If you’re someone with pre-existing injuries, such as knee and hip issues, running might not be right for you. Other versions of cardio like swimming or biking might be a better fit.
Pros: You’ll Learn How to Push Through the Pain in More Than Just Running
Running is hard. Even people who are naturally good at running, have to work really hard to improve. Once you push yourself consistently, and then you see improvement, you feel a sense of accomplishment and you’ll create a greater belief in yourself. You start to realize that putting in the extra effort to study for a test is worth it when you get an A. Once you learn how to push yourself to the next level, it becomes second nature to continue with that. You’ll literally become comfortable being uncomfortable.
Cons: You and Your Body Might Not Like It
Some people simply aren’t meant to be runners. For example, I am not a fast twitch athlete. I am the slowest sprinter ever no matter how hard I try. Some people are the same way with distance running. They prefer different exercise like HIIT training or weight lifting because that’s what makes them feel good. Some people mistake this by running once, realizing it’s hard, and giving it. To be blunt, that’s just being lazy. It’s very different however, if you ran 4-6 days for a month or two, and you tried to enjoy it, but you really don’t. Finding what exercise suits you is more important than forcing yourself to do something you don’t enjoy.
Pro: You Will Surround Yourself With Good People
You don’t have to be a runner to be an awesome person, but being it helps if you are. At any age, runners know how difficult the sport can be, so encouragement is super helpful. You’ll always seem to have someone cheering you on whether it’s a teammate or it’s a random person running next to you in a race. Plus, all of those endorphins create the runner’s “high” which results in happy people as well. There really isn’t any other way to put it other than runners are the coolest people on earth(I’m totally not biased;))
At the end of the day, what you choose for exercise is ultimately up to you, but give running a try. You might be surprised by how it could change your life.