It is thought that our ancestors developed the ability to run for long distances over 2 million years ago, most likely in order to hunt down animals for food. 2 million years later we are still running, but for the most part, differing reasons. Running has numerous cardiovascular benefits, it can aide weight loss, can be used as a vehicle for goal setting and can also satisfy our competitive urges. Running is frequently recommended as therapy for people with clinical depression and people coping with addiction. It is the perfect escape from the anarchy that is the 21st Century. And don't we need it!! Our supposed "evolution" has seen an onset of obesity and inactivity in recent years. Cases of mental illness are steadily increasing. Living in our major cities is becoming less affordable. We are working longer hours to try and finance an unaffordable dream. All the time our stress levels are increasing and our health is in rapid decline. The great Australian Dream is exactly that.... a Dream! A fanciful dream.
So what are you to do? Go see your Doctor and ask for a magic pill? Wallow in your own misery and play the victim? Nope. Sorry. That won't fly. You know you need to do? You need to RUN!!
So is running the cure? Can running solve all the problems and challenges we are faced with today? If you ask any runner, they will tell you it is. If you ask me, I will tell you it is too.... but I'm also a runner. In truth, running won't solve all of your problems, but it's a fantastic place to start.
HEALTH
Running boasts cardiovascular and general health benefits that are unparalleled. Running has been proven to improve cardiovascular and respiratory health, which ultimately reduces our risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Running will improve your cardiovascular fitness. Running can strengthen our immune system which in turn reduces our susceptibility to illness and disease. It can improve our bone density, helping to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
WEIGHT LOSS & FAT LOSS
It's a well known fact that running can help you lose weight. But more importantly, running can help you lose FAT! In terms of bang for your buck, and pure caloric expenditure per minute of exercise, running is at the pointy end of the spectrum. It is a high impact pursuit that burns energy fast. An added bonus is that running can increase your metabolism, even after you have finished your session!
MENTAL HEALTH
The mental strength and clarity that can be gained from running, I believe, is by far its most valuable trait. The fulfilling milestones that can be achieved in every run encourage constant goal setting...and they are all relative; challenging yourself to run to the next telegraph pole, your first run "without stopping", conquering your first Fun Run, striving for those PB's every single time you hit the road, sand or trails. This all builds mental strength, self-confidence and self-esteem. A more confident "you" performs better both professionally and socially. This new found clarity of thought can result in increased creativity.
Have I convinced you yet???
We all like to achieve. We all like to win. "Winning" on your morning run sets you up for the day ahead. The solitude of running allows you to be alone with your own thoughts. Its quiet time. Its therapy. No traffic, no phones, no emails. Just you, your size 10's and the road in front of you. What's more, running is cheap too. You can get kitted out in the latest treads for a couple of hundred bucks. No need to spend thousands on the latest carbon fibre spaceship, suffer the indignity of ordering lattes in lycra or worry about being the next road rage casualty! Just lace up your shoes and off you go.
Hope to see you on the trails soon....
*Disclaimer: Individual results vary based on agreed goals. Click here for details.
