You don’t have to be a runner, to enjoy running…

  Is this a future sprinter, half marathoner, or marathon man?  Maybe–but right now his face says it all.  He’s simply enjoying putting one foot in front of the other, adding a little bit of speed.

If you don’t quite remember how this felt, maybe its time to reconnect.

You don’t have to be a runner to enjoy running.  The rich auburn and burnt orange that leaves are sporting this time of year, make a trail all the more becoming.  Depending upon your choice of venue, there may be hills, a few twists, and a couple of turns.  Run the hill, or run down the hill.  See how far you can go before hitting a curve.  If you’re feeling adventurous, try a short sprint.  You get the idea.

Most consistent runners are interested in mileage, pace, and distance.  If you run track, cross-country, or looking to complete your first marathon or even 5K– that mentality is completely understandable.  Yet what if none of the above apply?  While I may be committing sacrilege, I’ve found there’s more to running than that stuff.

BENEFITS

Nothing for me anyway, really revs up the metabolism like a good sweaty run.  Those of you who follow my posts realize though, it’s my favorite–but certainly not my only form of exercise.

One of the major benefits I’ve discovered with running (even intermittent) is a sense of calm during the day.  You probably thought I was going to say weight loss.  Yes, that too–unless you are eating your way past your mileage.  And that can be a very real possibility. 

When I run or run/walk,  I find the minutia of the day doesn’t throw me off-balance.  Yoga helps with that too.  But running came first, and continues to be my “North Star,” in times of uncertainty.  I find myself working out solutions that didn’t really come, until I ran.

RISKS

As with any exercise, there are risks.  If you already have joint issues, running probably isn’t going to be your “go to” routine.  If in doubt, check it out.  A good work up and consult with your MD, or sport’s medicine practitioner is in order.

While you may never become the ultra-marathoner of tomorrow, or even a 10K enthusiast, who cares?  It doesn’t seem to be a concern for the little one above.  Is he going to go a hard mile or do a slow-paced three today?  He seems equally unconcerned if he ran better yesterday, than he is now.  Will he be able to pass the toddler ahead of him, if there is one?  From the looks of things, these questions are not uppermost in his mind.  Unless you’re awaiting race day, take a page from his book.  He only knows I’m running now.

All for now.  Keep up and keep at it.

Questions? Comments?  Contact me at serrenity.c@gmail.com