by Russell Linton

Created on: January 24, 2009   Last Updated: May 13, 2009

Why run? You've got your car at home. It's full of gas again now that oil prices have dropped back below the price per gallon of that special "sport" water you are certain you need to start seriously running. You can easily make it to the door without breaking a sweat when the pizza delivery shows up. Your job demands only that you raise a few fingers at a time (maybe more, depending on your typing skills). Any real foot work can be pawned off on the college intern who is surely looking for something to do anyway. There's no reason to run, or even walk for that matter. Why bother?

People need exercise more than ever in human history. As society has progressed from hunter-gatherers, to farmers, to industrial laborers, and finally to the cubicle warriors many of us have become, exercising the body has become unnecessary to providing our basic needs of food and shelter. Yet, your body still needs it. It is now more commonly viewed as a chore. A necessary evil which is just too hard to pursue.

Running has particularly received a bad rap. Why? Because to our sedentary lifestyle it just sounds like "work".

It's not. It is in fact one of the simplest forms of exercise you can choose. But you have to make the choice.

First and foremost, deciding to run is making a choice to respect your body. Your body was never meant to carry around dozens, maybe hundreds of pounds of excess weight. Your heart wasn't designed to force blood through plaque clogged veins. Nor were your feet designed to be propped up on their heels for the majority of the day. Your body is not a formless amobea with an ear lobe free for a bluetooth and a hand free for a keyboard (much to your employer's chagrin). Respecting your body means providing the activity you need to keep it healthy.

If you are new to exercise, running is not where you should immediately start. You will most likely be discouraged as your cubicle enslaved body literally falls apart when forced into a light jog. This is probably where the bad reputation comes from. Running injuries can and will happen but generally are more frequent among the unprepared.

To avoid this break down START SLOW. Start by walking (and the obligatory conversation with your doctor before starting to exercise). Try a nice, brisk walk of about half a mile or so several times a week. Slowly change the distance, slowly up your pace. If walking is all you feel comfortable with, fine, stick with it. However, choosing to step things up into a run has a number

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>