Running, has been a past time dating back to ancient Greece. Although running today is related more to sports rather than messengers during times of war. With all the studies stating that America is an obese nation, is running healthy a good option to overcome this growing problem?
The CDC has linked the following diseases to obesity:
- Coronary heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
Stroke
- Liver and Gallbladder disease
- Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
- Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
- Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)
Marathon Runner Legend
Running healthy is a great exercise that can burn high calories in a short amount of time. Depending on your weight you can burn approximately 500-600 calories after jogging for only 40 minutes. Although jogging may seem like the exercise to lose weight quickly, if done poorly you can actually harm your body in more ways than one. A Greek legend claims that the very first marathon runner, named Pheidippides, ran 25 miles (40km) from the town of Marathon to Athens to report on the Greek victory over Persia. According to the legend Pheidippides spurted out the words we have one, which is all actually one word in Greek, and fell down dead on the spot from exhaustion. Pheidippides didn’t have to worry about CDC diseases killing him, running did, but Pheidippides would be alive today (not really) if he would have learned to run smart.
Starting Out
Running healthy really is the only way to run smart. If you are overweight or even obese it is always a good idea to consult a doctor before attempting crazy exercises like flailing your feet around really really fast. When starting to run you should jog at a comfortable pace, and for a reasonable distance. Running healthy for a beginner may consist of a mile at a 15 min pace, depending on experience. Setting goals will help you achieve a good balance when running healthy. If you want to be faster try and increase your speed a little each time you run, or if your trying to achieve distance try varying the length and gradually lengthen the distance you run every couple of weeks.
What to Look For
You should learn to recognize what your body is trying to tell you as to whether or not you are running healthy or poorly. There is a big difference in being uncomfortable and being injured. Running healthy doesn’t mean it’s easy but it does mean you learn when to take a break and ice sore spots. Sometimes taking a day or two off can be beneficial but shouldn’t turn into a habit of long gaps of several weeks without exercise. When running healthy you should also realize that just because you run doesn’t mean you can eat anything you want. Many runners are overweight because they think running allows them to eat anything and many do. Learn to eat healthy and control your cravings if you are running healthy you will look great and feel amazing. So next time you decide to go screeching tires in your neighborhood parking lot, try burning some rubber with some running shoes for a change.
