Why You Should Become a Runner.....

For those of you that run, you probably already know the benefits of running.  That's why you do it.   Let my list today serve as a reminder for you.    For those of you that don't run, I would like to make a case for getting involved in the wonderful form of exercise known as running.

First let me say that running can be hard on the body.  There are overuse injuries, knee injuries, foot injuries, strains, sprains, pulls, tears, etc, etc, etc

But, if you will give it a shot, I think you'll find that the good far outweighs the bad....

Here are just a few of the benefits of running:

running relieves stress/anxiety/depression---running really can alter your mood, and make you happier than those that don’t exercise….call it endorphins, runner’s high, whatever…try it and see for yourself, it works….when you run you are focused on the road in front of you and all those work or family related stresses just seem to disappear…

running can help you achieve/maintain healthy body weight----you burn calories when you run, which means that running can be a great way to lose weight….and the beauty of it is that it doesn’t matter how fast you are…it’s not about speed, it’s about duration…I have seen this first hand in my own life, by losing weight myself….running and a healthy diet can lead to a proper BMI

running gives you a sense of accomplishment---running is a very challenging activity…even running a few miles a day can bring a great sense of pride and accomplishment to your life…and, as you run longer and farther, the sense of achievement will grow and you’ll learn more about setting and achieving goals, and you will have an increased level of self esteem and confidence…

running can lower your blood pressure---yep, it’s true…running can lower your blood pressure….running causes your cardiovascular system to pump blood through your body much faster….it causes arteries to expand and contract more than usual, which keeps your arteries more elastic, leading to improved blood pressure…

running improves lung capacity---the deep breathing required when running causes using more lung tissue, which leads to stronger and more efficient lungs…

running strengthens the heart---another great one…my dad had a heart attack a few years ago, so I know how important it is to have a healthy heart….the sedentary person has a heart that beats 36,000 times more each day a runner….why?  because running keeps the arteries open…hearts become stronger because they are contracting more, which leads to a more efficient cardiovascular system and helps in the fight against heart disease…

I could go on and on about the benefits of running---there have been studies that show running helps reduce the risk of high cholesterol, cancer, and diabetes…that it boosts the immune system and slows down the aging process……but really,  the reason I think you should start running is because I think running will help you to enjoy life more, help you to become a better person..…running clears your mind and helps you feel more alive by bringing you closer to God’s creation….

And something I’m discovering is that running can make you feel a part of a greater community----even though I run alone, I know I'm not alone....I know there are others experiencing the same agony and pain and joy that I am experiencing during runs and races and injuries....in a sense it seems that we understand each others experiences…..

To my fellow runners, I want to say keep running, and keep encouraging others to join us on the road……let's get some of our friends, family, and co-workers out there with us on the path to a healthier, happier life....