Why Run?

I've been reading an awesome AWESOME book called "Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall. Did I mention this is an awesome book?? One of the scientists profiled in the book is so convinced - and convincing - that humans are designed for long-distance running that he believes if more people ran, there would be dramatically less cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.

But if those esoteric reasons aren't enough to convince you you should be running, here are a few more:
(borrowed with permission from the website: Half-Marathon Running)

1. Lose weight
Running gives your body a complete cardiovascular workout. This is most effective in losing weight – particularly in the waist and hips area. In fact, after you start running, you will start to shed inches from these areas. A lot of people take up running just for the sake of losing weight and stay with it because of the other benefits they receive.

2. Relieve stress
Your body will get into its own rhythm while running and the fresh breeze of air flowing against your face will send you in a different state of mind. Running helps to relieve stress and is in fact suggested by some experts as a cure for depression. While your body is concentrating on the run itself, your mind is in a relaxed state and looking for solutions. You will find that you get a lot of answers about your current issues while the mind is in a relaxed state. Serenity brings peace and relieves stress.

3. Connect with nature
Running will take you to the most beautiful parts of the world and give your eyes a feast of the scenic beauty around. Even if you run outside once a week, you can pick a different route every week to enjoy the beauty of nature. Just as the road seems different when you drive on the same road while coming and going, it will seem different when you are running. Running will connect you to the natural beauty around you, which you will not be able to identify while driving.

4. Delay Aging and Fight disease
Research has shown that the pace of aging depends on the level of physical activity. Regular physical activity such as running delays the aging and the age related changes in the nervous system - in particular - the reaction time. Running is said to reduce heart attack risks by strengthening the heart and lowering the blood pressure. Running also produces a stronger cardiovascular system and lowers cholesterol.

5. Increase social connections
Lot of running groups are available – many through your local running store and some through other running organizations. After you join one of this groups, you will meet a lot of runners who are passionate about the sport and increase your social connections.

6. Travel to different places
If you like to travel to different places, you are in for a real adventure. Running will take you to a lot of places. You can explore new places either during your training runs or your races. If you enjoy traveling, you can run a race in a different state or even run races in different countries.

7. Build confidence
Running builds a lot of confidence in people. If you lose weight by running, it boosts your confidence and increases your self-esteem. You are willing to run the extra mile the next week – not only in running but also in other aspects of life. If you look at what you have achieved when you first started running and compare it to where you currently are (see photo below), you will have an increased amount of self-confidence.

In six months of running - I lost 53 pounds!

8. Runners high
Ever heard of the famous runners high? It is pleasant state of euphoria achieved by runners. It is most commonly experienced during distance runs, which are a test of endurance. When the body is pushed to its limits in endurance runs, it produces endorphins to alleviate pain. These endorphins have different effect on different people – but they mainly send the body to a euphoric state.
[More recent studies show that it is not endorphins but a substance called endocannibinols - produced by the human brain and chemical cousin to the active ingredient in marijuana - that causes the runner's high. And it IS legal!]

9. Improve self
Running teaches about focus and determination. If you start running and building up on your runs every week to get into distance running, you will need a lot of determination and focus to run the last few miles. Increasing the mileage every week contributes to your focus and helps in improving one’s own self – it benefits the body, mind and the soul.

10. Connect with the sub-conscious mind
Running helps in connecting with the subconscious mind. When you are running, your body is doing all the work of propelling itself forward. Your mind is at peace and working to suggest solutions to questions or issues that you may have at hand. The best way to trigger the sub-conscious mind is to submit your question to your sub-conscious the night before the run. Sometime during the run, you will get an impulse of a thought. This thought may be the answer you are looking for or a path that will lead you to your ultimate answer.