"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

Think running isn't for you? Try it out

The first time I attempted running, I hated it. It was only two miles, but I used to be positive I might never run again.

Sure enough, I understood the numerous advantages of running comparable to improved heart health, weight management, and improved mood. Still, like many individuals who swear off running as a beginner, I imagine you will have to place in lots of miles and lots of hours of running regularly to make it worthwhile.

How much does running add to the advantages?

It seems that my enthusiastic about running and health was all incorrect. Research shows that you just don't have to run longer, faster, and even longer to reap the rewards of running.

For example, a meta-analysis published online on November 4, 2019 British Journal of Sports Medicine reviewed 14 studies involving greater than 232,000 people, and located that running for lower than 50 minutes only once every week has significant health advantages, comparable to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and death from all causes.

Run then walk

An easy solution to ease into running is with a run/walk program. With running/walking, you run for a brief time period at a snug pace after which take a walking break until your body recovers. You repeat this forwards and backwards cycle for a certain time or distance. The goal is to regularly increase your running time and reduce your walking time until you’re running 20 to 25 minutes total. You can do it outside or on a treadmill.

Here's how a startup program works:

  • Run for one to 2 minutes after which walk for 4 to 5 minutes until you’re fully recovered.
  • Repeat the pattern five times.
  • Do this routine twice every week on consecutive days.

After every week or two, increase your running time to a few or 4 minutes and walk for 2 to a few minutes or until you recuperate. Repeat the pattern five times.

When it becomes easy, run for five minutes and walk for one minute or until you recuperate. Complete the pattern 4 to 5 times.

Once you've run for 20 to 25 minutes, with walking intervals, if any, you’ll be able to tailor your running and walking times to your exercise goals, comparable to running longer or faster, or where you’re. Staying there and specializing in consistency.

It's running the gamut of possibilities that made me a believer. Once I noticed that running is a person endeavor that doesn't conform to specific guidelines or expectations, I began to enjoy it. I now run as long and as fast and as often as I need, knowing that the time spent running is time well spent.