When you ask this question you’ll get many different answers.
Basically, if you are physically able to (i.e. always check with a medical doctor for clearances!) you should start running today. If you do run (and maybe race occasionally) continue to do so. According to some recent statistics, the popularity of running continues to evolve from road races to trail running today.
If road races are any indication of popularity, let’s examine a few statistics:
* In 2009, there were nearly 50,000 finishers for a 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) race in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
* In 2009, by contrast, there were nearly 44,000 finishers for the New York City Marathon, a 42 kilometers (26.1 mile) race.
* Here’s an encore: Hats off to the largest amount of runners in a race: 64,000 for a 4 kilometers (2.4 mile) race in Italy.
So that’s a lot of motivated people called “runners”. And all ages, both men and women, girls and boys.
Perhaps there other reasons to run besides racing. A person may want to lose a few pounds (or kilos), get fitter, keep healthy and feel good about themselves.
But running may also have other benefits:
* General health including improved cardiovascular health. A healthy heart is always good news.
* Social. Running may be a lone sport, but there are many runners. Running seems to contribute to well-being, a pleasant side-effect of euphoria created by the simple act of running itself as an exercise form. People also run to socialize. This seems to supported by the number of running clubs today. For example, the RRCA of Road Runner’s Club of American , is the oldest (since 1958) and largest organization with over 200,000 running club members from over 1000 member clubs!
Unlike other fitness fads that come and go, running endures. Our bodies are fashioned to run, yet today the emphasis seems to be more on racing and commercialization of running. No doubt, competition is generally healthy for health’s sake until it becomes an obsession. Like anything else, running should be a source of pleasure and not work. It is a change in lifestyle, and hopefully a keeper for a lifetime.
Which brings us back to the beginning… What keeps you running?
Aloha!
