If you are not a runner you may have noticed friends, both in real life and social media, say things like, “wow! I feel so much better after my run!” Or “getting outside for a run really helps control my stress level!” Here are 5 reasons to start running right now!
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I may be writing this during a time that we are all staying home a lot more than usual, but this information applies no matter what is going on in our lives. Stress exists all the time, as well as pressures from work, kids, and even our significant others.
If you follow social media you probably are seeing #runners saying things like thank goodness for #running! Or, I feel so much better after my run! Why don't you join us? Here are 5 reasons you should start running right now!Click To Tweet5 Reasons to Start Running Right Now!
Let’s take a look at five reasons to start running right now. I’m sure there are more so if you think of some please share in the comments.
Running Help You Release Stress
Many runners claim that they feel better after a run, especially during stressful times, but is it true? Yes, studies have shown that exercise has a beneficial effect on stress, suggesting the theory that it recruits a process that confers enduring resilience to stress, even going so far as to say that aerobic exercise has antidepressant protections. (source)
Running Gets You Outdoors
Frankly, too many of us spend too much time indoors. Sheltering at home or not, we tend to go from home to work, maybe to the gym, then back home again, barely even seeing much of the sun. Getting outdoors is good for the soul (objective opinion here), plus we need the sunshine and Vitamin D.
Running Helps You Maintain a Healthy Weight
Running, along with a healthy diet and strength training, are very helpful in maintaining a healthy weight. Running burns about 100 calories per mile, so if weight loss is your objective, positive changes in eating habits are necessary too, but running will help you achieve your goal.
Running Helps Strengthen Your Cardiovascular System
Running, like any aerobic exercise, will strengthen your heart and lungs. Running is a highly aerobic exercise that uses fatty acids and carbohydrates for energy. Runners tend to have low resting heart rates and high maximal oxygen consumption. Distance running has positive effects on a host of coronary risk factors. (source)
Running is Good for Your Knees
If you are not yet a runner, you may be under the impression that running is bad for your knees. Most runners hear that all the time from their non-runner friends. However, there is some evidence that running is actually good for your knees. The theory is that since exercise helps reduce inflammation throughout your body, running will help reduce the effect of inflammation in your knees. (source) There are other studies that indicate that running may decrease the chance of developing osteoarthritis. (source)
These are just a few of many reasons to start running right now. Others include stronger bones, improved body composition, and better general health. That’s not even mentioning the social aspects of running. Ask any runner: the best friends are running friends! Runners have a connection that bonds them for life.
Get Started Running
Have I convinced you? So let’s get started.
Get Running Shoes
While runners like to say that running doesn’t require much equipment (unlike cycling), it does, however, involve getting a good pair of running shoes. The thing is, the running shoes that work for me (or any other runner) may not work for you. The best thing to do is to head on out to your local running store, talk to the Shoe Guy, and try out several pairs. Note for current times: Obviously that will not be possible during Shelter in Place restrictions. Instead, call a running shoe expert (like at Roadrunner Sports), who can answer your questions and help you find the right shoe. It’s not ideal, but it will help you get started. You can contact a Roadrunner Sports fit expert at 1-800-743-3206.
Start Slow
Honestly, I believe the reason that so many people drop out of running within the first month is because they go for their first run, finish three miles, then they can’t walk for a week. I know that’s what happened to me! Seriously, my calves were so sore after that first run that I could hardly move let alone run for days! So I speak from experience when I tell you to start slow.
Starting slow means to begin a walk/run program. Try walking for a minute then running for a minute. Repeat four or five times. Gradually increase the run time and decrease the walk time. Increase the time of the intervals. Increase the number of intervals. Note: don’t increase all of these things in one session.
Find a Crew
As I said above, running friends are the best! They love new runners. They will encourage you, offer advice (which is great but be careful), and help make running more fun. Join a running club, recruit a friend (or a spouse)! If that’s not available, there are many running “clubs” on Facebook, Strava, and Garmin that will help keep you accountable and increase your enjoyment of running.
Run fast, run slow, run short, run long, just run
That means, do your own thing. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far you go. If you’re slow, join the crowd! There are many more slow runners that there are fast ones. Just get outside and go.
Don’t “Just” Run
A healthy runner is one who cross-trains with strength training and/or other sports. Strength training is important to optimize and balance your body, to get stronger, and to reduce the chance of injury. You don’t need a lot of equipment or time. Here are a couple of my strength workouts that are designed for runners.
At Home, No Equipment Runner’s Workout
Runner’s Workout: 5 Exercises to Strengthen Your Entire Body
Improve Your Running by Strengthening and Activating Your Glutes
It’s also important to take care of your body with things like stretching and foam rolling. Yes, running is great and great for you, but it is a high-impact exercise that needs recovery time and care. Here are a few tips.
Self-Care for Runners: It’s Worth the Time
Upgrade Your Post-Run Stretch Routine
The most important thing is just to get out there and start running (slowly). The details will come. For now, get outside and get going.
I’ve written other posts that will help you get started running right now. They go into a little more detail about starting a running program as well as answering some of the most common questions.
10 Tips for Starting a Running Program
14 Useful Things to Know When You Start Running
Asked and Answered: Your Top 10 Running Questions
5 Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Running
I hope this will help you start running right now! Please ask if you have any questions. Fellow runners! What tips do you have to help a newbie along?
And Now It’s Time for the Runners’ Roundup!
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Inspire Me Monday with Janet
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Rachel , Deborah, Lisa, Smitha, Jenn, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
That is interesting information about running being good for the knees! I hear all the time from my non-running friends how I am “damaging my knees”. So now I can cite your useful evidence! Thank you!
If I had a nickel for every time a non-runner has told me that running was bad for my knees I’d be a millionaire!
There are so many good reasons to start running! Especially right now, when we need a way to relieve stress and most people can’t go to a gym. I definitely agree that too many people go for 1 run and go out too long/hard and then give up after that. Slow and steady is the way to go when starting out!
It’s almost funny how many people run one time, too far, then decide they hate running because it was hard and now they hurt!
Running is now the only normal.
So many good reasons to run.
Glad I am able.
Me too. It’s been a lifesaver. Or at least a mood saver. 🙂
A huge benefit I’ve noticed is my increased immune system. That may be due to my fitness routine in general, but I think it’s more from running than anything else because I’m outside almost everyday. I have had barely a runny nose in the past 15 years that I’ve called myself a runner 😉 Great post!!
That’s great to know. I stay pretty healthy too (and I definitely hope that continues right now!).
Running can be a constant when nothing else is. It’s definitely keeping me sane right now. Great reasons to start running!
Yes, we can count on running to be there for us. And I’m thankful we can get outside to do it! It’s especially easy to social distance when you’re on the trails in the desert!
These are fantastic and so true! Right now is such a great time to start, especially for stress relief and continuing to stay healthy. Running shoes are a hard thing right now, but I think everyone is just doing their best to make it work.
Right now is an important time to run or start running. So many benefits! Also, pumped that I won! Thanks 🙂 Responded to your email.
Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your new ROAD iD!
I know that when I bought my first running shoes I had no idea what to look for. At least talking to an expert will give people a head start!
We need running more than ever! Running has always been a lifesaver for me. I’m so glad I have it. Great tips here.
Thank you! Running has always been my constant and it’s been especially important now.
Running has been my outlet for as long as I can remember, and now I’m using it once again. It’s such a great stress reliever for me.
Same here. Even bad runs are helpful!
Such a great post, Debbie! And so true. I see a lot of new runners out there. They need your post!
In NJ, we are allowed out of our houses, and so I’ve seen SO many more runners these days. I’m just hoping they stick around after the pandemic goes away – it’s great to see so many more people outside.
“Running IS good for your knees!!!” – Can I get a t-shirt that says that?! That is the #1 excuse that is shared with me when people find out I run. My knees have never felt better 🙂 Great tips!!!