photo: Hello Fashion
Running is one of the most popular choices of exercise – some famous faces seen stretching their legs include Heidi Klum, Ellie Goulding, and Reese Witherspoon. It’s rare you don’t pass a runner (or twenty!) while out and about, especially in big cities. And the reasons for its popularity are plenty, so if you’ve not already jumped on the running bandwagon, here’s why you should start today:
1. Workout for your whole body:
It’s not just one for the legs! When done properly, running works out your calves, thighs, hips, glutes, core, and arms – it’s a true full body workout.
2. Perfect for clearing your head:
Whether you choose to run in the early morning before work, on your lunch break, or in the evening after a stressful day, running is the perfect opportunity to hit the sidewalk and clear your head of all the clutter.
3. You set the pace:
There’s no competition – it’s just you. So set your own pace, as fast or as slow as you can go. You can speed up when you want to, or slow down when you need to, or maintain a consistent jog throughout. It’s your show!
4. It suits your schedule:
Unless you decide to join a running group, you can choose when to run. There’s no set start time or finish time you have to stick to – if you’re five minutes late, the sidewalk won’t care. It will just be happy you’re there! If you want to run spontaneously and not schedule it, that’s fine. If you want to stick to a strict two days each week, that’s fine too! You make the rules.
5. You can change it up:
Running doesn’t have to be the same, boring, round the block trek every day – you can easily change your route. Run around a beautiful park, by a river, by a canal, around some landmarks…
6. And it’s free!
There’s no fee – you can run wherever you like, for however long you like, and no one will charge you anything.
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I always have to play the excuses game with running, I just find it so difficult to get into a decent rhythm. I also loved point 4. It definitely reminded me of the scene in What Women Want where he presents the Nike advert! Ok, you present all good points… I’ll run today!
http://www.englishgirlinnewyork.org
I could not agree more with this article! Running is my obsession and I encourage all women to give it a try. Fall is the perfect time of the year to start! I have some great running tips and tools I use for my runs on my latest blog post.
-Anika Yael Natori, aka, “The Josie Girl”
https://josiegirlblog.com/2016/10/05/running-tools/
I have a good timing to check my bloglovin. Thank you, you motivated me to go for a run today!
I really have to start running again, and this got me so much more motivated!
x Annabelle
travelsandtea.com
I really want to get into running so this was a very motivational post!
xo, Liz
https://lipstickandconfetti.com
I’ve been trying to get into running too! It seems so hard. I really psych myself out after half a mile (“You can’t do this! stop now!!” )Maybe I should start an accountability group? Anyone interested?
https://decoratethesoul.blogspot.com/
hahah yeah! It totally does remind you of What Women Want!!
I want to start going for runs more regularly, there’s so many benefits!
Aleeha xXx
https://www.halesaaw.com/
Hey Jen,
Its about what we tell ourselves.. once i have done half a mile i start asking myself “whats another half? you got this!”
http://www.lifeofbriancajay.com
I’ve always wanted to start running, but every time I do, I always get a panicky urge to go to the bathroom! I read somewhere that this was a common mental block to it. I love the idea, but I can’t seem to get past it. Doesn’t stop me from trying once in a while, though!
You didn’t mention the most important reason: it helps ward off osteoporosis. The pounding makes your bones crack a little, then repair and become stronger. I always hated running. Some friends recruited me to the high school track team one year and I came in last in every event. But I have pushed further into running, at age 55, to stave off osteoporosis, which caused my mother so much pain. I might be a turtle on the track, but I always have exercised–mostly walking and aerobics. But for the past 2 years, it’s Pilates 2x per week for posture and core and running an hour a day (in intervals, the 10/20/30 routine) for the heart and bones.
And, as you note, it’s free.
Hey Honey! That used to happen to me all the time when I started running three years ago. I overcome this issue by starting to run short distances, making it possible for me to increase my distance over time. As Brianca mentioned below, it is all about what we tell ourselves while we run, keeping a positive mindset all the way through! I am glad to know that has not stop you from trying, keep it up!
-Marianna
Thanks for the encouragement! I could totally use it! I feel like running could be so addicting if I can only get past that. :)