Sprinters Are Not The Only People Who Enjoy Running
By Tom Herrin
There are a lot of misconceptions among people. One of them is that in order to get anything out of running, someone has to be fast. This is not the case at all. Running for exercise is not a matter of racing, just a way of getting more exercise out of what they do with less time involved. Many people choose running because they can burn more calories and increase heart rate more in less time spent. Of course, some simply enjoy running. Either way, running can be a productive form of exercise if it is managed correctly.
A Run/Walk Can Be A Good Start
No one should try to eat an elephant all at once, but anything can be accomplished by taking small steps. In beginning a running program where one did not previously exist, it is best to start out with walking. Once the walking time has been built up, a run/walk can be introduced. This is done by running a minute or so, then walking for several minutes. Maintaining each level for a week or so gives the body time to begin to be conditioned. Gradually adding time to the run and decreasing time of walking can show good results. It is never advised to run to the point of exhaustion. A person running for general exercise should always be able to talk while running.
Alternating Activity Is Good Pacing
Most of the time, it is not advised to do the same level of exercise every day. A run/walk should be treated the same. Doing this a day, then followed by a lower stress day, gives the body time to recover and still be worked. Most people also advise taking a break one day per week to allow the body to fully rest before starting the next week of exercise.
Benefits Are Not Confined To The Young
For those who are older than 50 or 60, this can still apply. Conditioning can help everyone. The point is to work up slowly, challenging the body to do a little more in small increments. Before long, a person who was previously a couch potato can be enjoying the health benefits of participating in a run/walk routine. It can produce more results in a shorter period of time and give more bang for the buck. If you are an ordinary person looking to improve conditioning, you might give a run/walk a try. You can see great results in only a few weeks, providing you are healthy enough to start.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
