Benefits of running

BY ADAM ROBERTS

It’s wise to take it slow at the start of whatever sport you decide to take up, but it’s especially important with running. That’s because running can be an absolute chore at first. Within a minute you’re breathing hard, your muscles start screaming at you after five, and at ten a lot of people have convinced themselves they won’t bother with running again. However, if you take it easy at the start and don’t put any pressure on yourself to run quickly, it won’t be long until you start to see the benefits. So here are 8 reasons why you will fall in love with running if you just give it a chance. 1. Running Makes You Fitter Well, obviously. Running is primarily a terrific way to improve your cardiovascular fitness. 2. Running Can Help You Lose Weight If you want to be healthy, then maintaining a healthy weight should be right at the top of your to-do list, and running will help you achieve that. 3. Running Is Brilliant For Your Mental Health Your mental health can benefit from running just as much as your physical fitness. Running is time just for you, away from the stresses of day-to-day life, and the endorphin rush you get from the activity is a great pick-me-up. 4. Running can be very social If your schedule makes it hard to socialise and even make new friends, try joining a run club. 5. Running Provides Motivational Targets You’ll soon be wanting to set yourself little goals, from completing a 5km in a certain time to your first 10km and beyond. 6. Running Helps You Explore New Places Whether it’s a short jog around a city on a weekend break, or a long trail run around a park, running is an excellent way to see more of the world, or just even more of Dartford. 7. Running Is Cheap All you need is a comfy pair of running trainings and you’re off, well ok you might need some other clothes on as well, but you honestly don’t need to spend a fortune. 8. Running Can Make You Feel Happier Immediately Runners are happier, more positive, and have higher self-esteem according to a study by Glasgow Caledonian University. There you have it, its official, running makes you happier, well maybe not at the start but the sense of achievement when you finish your run sure will. So what more can I say except go dust off those trainers and give it a go. Yes you will need to build up to start with, but you’ll be doing your first 5km in no time at all. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone, there are plenty of people out there that love running and want to help you on your journey. They are friendliest run club in Dartford called SLGR. They run a free community run on a Tuesday night at 7pm from the Cricket Club, Hesketh Park. The club caters to everyone from newbies, seasoned pros with many marathons under their belts, the walk and run crowd and all that’s in-between. They are an awesome social club and ensure that no one is ever left on their own.