User:Runningandliving

Why Run?

Running has its obvious health and fitness benefits more importantly, provides very powerful benefits of boosting self confidence and helping unleash one’s potential.

Attaining your goal in a race, or even over the course of a few weeks of regular training, can get you to attain a high like no other. Often, when you see your progress over time, and just look back to see where you have come from, you get amazed, as well as excited by the fact that – Whatever you want to achieve, is within your control. A personal stretch goal achieved, gives a high far greater than any business stretch goal achievement. You are in charge.

Running can make an extraordinary winner out of each one of us ordinary mortals.

"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable." Sir Thomas Foxwell Buxton,

British abolitionist

All of us fight with many (mostly) internal and (a few) external thoughts which block us from starting to run. Some of the most common ones are...

Internal barriers:

1. People at my age don't run

2. I have never run before / for a long time. People have started running late in their 40's and 50's. Fauja Singh started at 89. 3. I have a breathing problem. Running has been known to reduce asthma as it strengthens the cardio vascular system.

4. What will people think of me. They'll actually envy you!

5. Walking is the best. Not so now, as various studies on large populations of people have shown.

6. I don’t have the right gear/ equipment. Actually to start you don't need much - just a pair of shoes appropriate for your feet

7. I will be out of place. Actually just look around you and you will see people of all shapes, sizes and ages running. Don't worry, you will not stand out.

8. I have no time. Presidents Clinton and Bush make time to run regularly. So can you.

9. I travel a lot. So do they. Pack your shorts, T shirt and running shoes. Running helps overcome jet lag. Get to see another city while you travel - in a unique way - while running.

10. I am too fat. But isn't that what you want to address? Lose weight, get healthier and more energised? People have lost over 25kilos of weight primarily through running and following moderation in eating. Running can be a no rocket science, no crash diet, long term means of losing weight, keeping it off, and leading a healthier lifestyle.

11. I am slim. I don't need to run, or exercise for that matter.

12. Doctors have told me running is bad for the knees. Unless you have a bone problem, impact exercise -of which running is the most steady, has been known to reduce incidence of osteoporosis, strengthen the muscles and bone joints and ACTUALLY improve the condition of your knees.. Once again - the shoes you wear must be appropriate to your feet and must also be replaced as soon as you see signs of wearing out on the heels of your feet.

13. I will start next week. If you look at your diary for next week and see all the things that have been put there, it may be better to start this week and ease up on your heavy 'next week'

External barriers:

1. It's too hot / humid. You need to be properly hydrated and attired, and run indoors or early morning

2. It's too cold. Wear layers of 'breathable' clothes for warmth and head out.

3. It's too polluted

4. There is far too much noise & traffic on the roads. Run early morning, or in a park, or indoors on a treadmill if possible

5. There are no proper running trails. Check out a park, or even the roads/ sidewalks early in the morning.

6. Stray dogs are a problem. Run with a stick and build your own confidence. Most often, they don't even care, especially earlier on in the morning.

7. I don't have company. Start and you will make many new friends and acquaintances, as you start greeting people who are walking and running.

--Rahulverghese (talk) 05:16, 14 August 2008 (UTC)