It relieves stress, helps you manage your weight, combats loss of bone density, enables you to enjoy nature, increases your energy, and can even make you look and feel younger!
Running: There’s a reason why people have been doing it for years, and why 5Ks, 10Ks and Marathons are among the most popular community events. But you don’t have to be a competitive runner to enjoy the benefits that a running program can bring. Those benefits include:
- Weight loss: Running requires a lot of energy and on average burns about 500 calories an hour. Together with a sensible nutritional plan, running can go a long way toward helping you reach your ideal weight.
- Improved cardio-vascular health: While you’re running, your arteries expand and contract approximately three times as much as they do when you are sedentary. This leads to better elasticity of the arteries. Running also can lower your blood pressure, and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Better bones and muscles: Your bones and muscles become stronger in response to physical demand. Running encourages muscle development and higher bone density – two qualities that we associate with youthfulness.
- Grace and balance: Whether you’re navigating mountain trails or paved surfaces, running requires that your body learns to coordinate many parts and functions, which leads to greater balance and agility.
- Psychological benefits: Running – or any form of regular exercise – releases hormones called endorphins into your bloodstream. Simply put, endorphins make you feel good. The feeling of accomplishment that comes from completing a physical challenge and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one more way that exercise can improve your mood and general outlook.
Of course, before you begin any program of exercise or nutrition you should check with your health care provider. Once you get the “green light,” here are some tips to help you meet with success on your running journey:
- Start off slowly: Begin your run with five minutes of brisk walking. This will help warm up your muscles, reducing the chance of injury.
- Wear loose fitting, light colored clothing to stay dry, comfortable, and visible to others.
- Buddy up: Find someone else who may be interested in taking up running and make plans to run together. Running can be a lonely business, so having a partner provides extra motivation – as well as an additional layer of accountability.
- Keep it flowing: Dehydrated muscles don’t function well. Sip water before, during, and after your run to stay hydrated.
- TLC for injuries: Most runners experience minor injuries from time to time. Don’t push through the pain of injury. See your health care provider and remember the R.I.C.E. program of recovery:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
Personal education is a key success factor in any physical endeavor. Ask your health care provider or local fitness center proprietor to recommend a personal trainer who can get you started off on the right foot for a long and productive running season!
Autumn is the premium time to enjoy running, biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities at The Greenbrier. Afterwards, you can treat yourself to a gourmet dinner, or a signature spa treatment. Learn more at The Greenbrier.
