Running is a sport packed with advantages. You can do it anywhere, anytime, all you have to do is lace up your running shoes and head out. Here are 5 great reasons to take up running.
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Running is easy to get into
Running is one of the most accessible sports out there. All you need is a pair of running shoes and clothing that matches the weather. Everyone can find a pair of shoes suited to their running style and level. Even though price does not directly correlate with injury risk, if you are just starting out, the best move is to get advice in a specialty store.
Running is great for your health
Even running just once a week can improve your health. A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that it could reduce the risk of premature death by 27%. And that is true even with less than 50 minutes per week. Running lowers stress, improves sleep (unless you run too late), and supports weight loss.
Running injuries are often linked to an unsuitable lifestyle, or for beginners, to the wrong gear choice.
Running builds self-confidence
Whatever your level, you set goals. Just starting out? Chances are you will want to run for 30 minutes without stopping. Then you might feel like signing up for races, a 10K, a half marathon, and why not a marathon?
What matters most is choosing challenges that mean something to you, ambitious enough to keep you motivated, but not so big that you end up discouraged. Take it step by step. So many runners surprise themselves and achieve things they would have thought impossible just a few months earlier.
Running is an invitation to explore
Running lets you cover more ground than walking, and your senses are often even sharper. It helps you rediscover your favorite city from a new angle and feel the energy of a place more intensely. That is probably thanks to the endorphin release that creates a real sense of well-being.
Run solo or with others
Do you need a friend to push you? Or, on the contrary, do you run to clear your head after a long day at work? Depending on your mood and what you feel like, you can choose the style of training that fits you best. 59% of runners train mostly alone, but may share 1 or 2 runs each week with friends or family. Going for a run with colleagues is also a great way to break the ice, and running together strengthens bonds.
If you want to improve your running, the RunMotion Coach app helps you level up whatever your current fitness, with a training plan and personalized coaching tips. You can choose a wellness goal or a performance and race goal, a smart way to prepare for your next endurance challenge.