If you're a runner, you probably started in school or ran for a university. Perhaps you took up the sport because friends were doing it or you had a desire to train for a race. On the other hand, you may have decided to take up running later in life as a means to lose weight or get fit. Either way, running is a portable sport that's readily accessible and inexpensive. All you need is a good pair of running shoes. And it's a great way to gain the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Running keeps your entire body fit, keeps your weight in check, and your cardiovascular system healthy.
I don't have to tell you the benefits of running regularly and the beautiful reality that it's the fastest way to attain great health benefits. But, what about the side effects???
ARE YOU EXPERIENCING THE SIDE EFFECTS OF RUNNING?
I'm grateful you're here. During these tumultuous times, it helps to know 'what is' and 'what isn’t' serving you right now.
Like seeds to be planted, you must first seek out fertile soil. You wouldn't just carry around seeds for the garden of your dreams in your pocket, all the while asking where your flowers were. Nope, you must brave the elements, choose the location, then go there.
I'm happy to be along with you on this journey. I do hope that you find the next few pages helpful as you go.
Much Love, Dawn dawncicconecoaching.com
FIRST, LET'S LOOK AT THE FACTS...
- No form of cardio works as well as running.
- Running burns calories, and a calorie deficit equals weight loss. A reduction in fat percentage helps decrease the risk of developing type II diabetes, cancers, heart disease, and other life threatening ailments associated with obesity.
- Running strengthens your bones. Although any weight-bearing exercise will strengthen your bones, high-impact weight-bearing of running strengthen more than other exercise.
- Running gives you community. Runners develop an affinity with one another and become fellow travelers with the same mission. It doesn't matter if they're faster than you or have been running longer; wherever you live, you'll find a number of running groups to choose from.
Ever hear the saying 'runners are cheap?' Well mostly it's because there isn't a lot of room in those shorts to carry money, but the truth is running is inexpensive. Besides a good pair of running shoes, all you need is a T-shirt and shorts. It's cheaper than a gym membership and can safely be achieved with social distancing.
The world is your proving ground. You can run anywhere and without much preparation. Just throw on a pair of running shoes and go. No matter which city you're in, or even if you're in the middle of nowhere, you can run.
- Running builds a strong core. You use your core muscles the entire time you run, especially if you hold your body in its proper upright position with your chest high. A strong core supports body balance and helps get those six-packs in shape.
- Runners have big hearts! It's true, a well-tuned runner as an enlarged capacity that supports hart function. Running aids in lowering blood pressure by maintaining the elasticity of the arteries. It decreases your levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), and increases your levels of HDL (good cholesterol). Both of these aspects lower the risk of hypertension and heart attacks.
- Running relieves stress. Chemicals and hormones, such as endorphins, are released by the body during running. Endorphins serve many purposes, including helping the body deal with pain or stress. Endorphins work in a similar way to opiate drugs, including morphine, which explains why this release is often referred to as a "runner's high."
If you didn't already know the monumental attributes running gives, you do now. If you haven't achieved all of them, you will at some point. Even with genetic disposition, illness and ailments, running gives you more of an advantage than the non-runner.
So what are the side effects of running? You're probably thinking: 'I knew there was a downside! You can't possibly achieve all these wonderful benefits without a trade off!'
THE SILENT SIDE EFFECTS OF RUNNING
There are many side effects that can develop from running. Some may appear unnoticeable, but they are there just the same and I guarantee you can identify a few in yourself. In fact, the benefits we previously sited I would consider a side-effect or taking the back seat to what I call The SOUL of running.
Review these effects and see how many you can identify in yourself.
- You might annoy people with your playful and happy moods.
- Others will have trouble keeping up with your extra energy, vitality and creativity.
- Some are jealous of your deeper, better sleep, and are reaching for coffee when you instead feel more rested when you awake.
- People are always curious what your make-up regime is because your skin is clear and has a healthy glow even in the winter.
- Your co-workers and/or spouse can't relate with the fact that you've become a morning person eager to greet the sunrise with a run outside.
- People are always commenting that you look much younger than your age! You not only feel younger, but look younger.
- You end up leaving others behind with your adventurous desire to explore new terrain, try different races and discover new trails to run.
- Others say they miss you when you crave alone time in nature and decide to honor that by putting boundaries in place to respect that time.
- While others are pinching their love handles, you have more gratitude towards your health and ability to run.\
- Non-runners wonder what your sense of accomplishment from your race-day finish lines really feels like.
- You approach what others see as problems, as challenges to empowerment. After all, how many people can run a 5K, a half or full marathon?
- Others struggle to find time to hit the gym, but when you are committing to an obligation, you make sure you schedule it around your run.
- Others are bothering you for your health hacks while you practice your self-care and nourish yourself with healthy food to sustain your running.
- Friends get a bit annoyed when they see a water bottle out on the ground in nature-because you've taught them to respect nature more and truly live 'leave no trace.'
- Your kids/grandchildren are running circles... but you are fit, agile and strong enough to keep up!
- Netflix and Chill all weekend with your friends isn't in your vocabulary--because you are internally motivated to run and set time aside to achieve that.
- When someone asks you how you like to relax, the truest to life answer you have is 'with a long run.'
- Your friends sometimes get frustrated on long road trips with you--because when you drive pass an interesting road or path, you have the urge to stop the car and explore it!
If you identify with any of these bullet points--you're definitely experiencing the side effects of running! (I hope you had a good laugh!)
I hope that you now recognize the magnificence you already hold and that running is way shift the mind toward the heart so that you can remember your innate power within, and reclaim your infinite potential to embody more flow and trust within yourself amid a world filled with confusion, fear, anxiousness, and uncertainty.
Dawn Ciccone, The Authentic Wanderer
WWW.DAWNCICCONECOACHING.COM
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