To echo the famous line from the movie Forrest Gump, we explain why it really does pay to ‘run for your life’

We get it. It’s super difficult balancing the pressures and demands of everyday life with that crucial need to stay as fit as possible. Lob in the cost-of-living crisis and before you know it, you’re facing the prospect of descending into an unhealthy spiral. Well with the sun shining, and thankfully temperatures dropping slightly, perhaps it’s time to grab the (Bullring) bull by the horns and slot some running into your weekly routine.

TOTAL WORK OUT

Simply put, running will give you a total body workout, improving loads of aspects of your health without putting a huge strain on either your time or your wallet.
It’s a great way to lose weight as running requires a lot of fuel. In fact, the average person can burn as much as nearly 500 calories on a 40-minute run – even more if you throw in a few slopes or some interval training.

It’s no big surprise that running is a fantastic workout for all aspects of your legs, with your inner and outer thighs, quads and hamstrings all being used. However, it’s also great for your core strength as those deep muscles play important roles stabilising your spine and transferring power between your swinging arms and legs.

As well as building muscle strength, regular running helps to improve and maintain the density or strength of your bones, reducing your risk of developing osteoporosis, as well as reducing joint problems and lowering blood pressure.

HOW DOES RUNNING COMPARE?

So, it’s great for your health but there are so many other reasons why running is such a cracking way to stay fit – here are just a few:

• You can do it anywhere, with as much or as little as your time and fitness levels allow.
• All you need is a good pair of trainers! There’s no need for expensive equipment or the latest fashionable gym kit.
• You don’t have to rely on others, but at the same time it’s so easy to find somebody like-minded who you can buddy up with.
• You can do it at any time, although there’s nothing quite like an early morning run to kickstart the day or an early evening session to clear your head.
• You can set your own challenges depending on how you feel: sprint to the first lamppost, then jog to the next, sprint to the one after, and so on.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

If you’re new to running or you’ve been out of the game for a while, please remember a few important points to keep safe, healthy and committed.

• Warm up with just a few stretches and warm down with a few more.
• If you are going to train outside wear highly visible clothing such as reflective bands, lights and tell somebody what route you are going to take.
• Obviously, your body should be hydrated at all times, but it’s particularly important to make sure you’re hydrated before and during exercise.
• Remember to breathe properly. The more you can relax, the more you can move the breathing to the diaphragm. Trying to breathe every four, six, or even eight steps can help to both distract and relax.
• Try to maintain a good posture so you’re engaging the stomach and glutes. Imagine starring in your own run film and run the way you think you would want to see yourself running.
• Distract yourself by running to music or listening to an audiobook or podcast. Studies have shown just how beneficial this can be.
• Start off gently, don’t go too hard to begin with. If you’ve never run before, you will hate it and so won’t do it again. An average beginner’s pace is around 13 minutes per mile, but if you find that too hard or not challenging enough, simply adjust your pace and you’ll soon get a feel for what your body can do.
• If you get injured rest for a few days, use ice if necessary and get medical help if the injury persists.

But most of all, keep smiling and enjoy the ride!