Ella Rentz '24, Business/Circulation Manager
Running is the basis of many sports. We see it in movies and shows, pretty much everywhere you go. Whether you hate it or love it, running is a huge part of our world. The reason is that it has many benefits for all aspects of health.
One of the biggest and most well-known benefits of running is muscle and cardiovascular endurance. Running, especially distance running, increases your breathing and heart rate. Many athletes work to better their endurance to perform in games and matches. Not only does it improve cardiovascular health but it also enhances muscular strength. When running, you train your muscles to build and adapt to the strain you put on yourself. This provides an advantage because activities will eventually become easier as your body gets used to doing them. Senior Nathan Schang said his favorite benefit of running was "Mental discipline and endurance."
Another significant aspect of running is the impact it has on your mental well-being. Running causes an endorphin boost commonly known as "runner's high". This "high" lessens feelings of depression, stress, loneliness, and anxiety. The chemicals known as endocannabinoids activate an euphoric feeling. Neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine are also released, which help boost your ability to deal with mental tension and assist with memory collection.
For many people, running is also a social opportunity. Senior Theresa Koglin said, "My favorite part of running is getting to talk with my friends." Many runners find a running buddy. This person can push you to run faster and may offer a new perspective on the way you go about running. Having running buddies also holds you accountable, which aids in the struggle of gathering the motivation to work out.
Running helps with many mental, social, and physical attributes to a person. It doesn't always have to be large distances either—many of the mental benefits such as a decrease in anxiety and depression happen instantly. There are many tools to track your running, two being, Map My Run by Under Armour or Nike Run Club. These apps both track your time, distance, and other statistics. Now it's time to get out there and give it a try because the advantages are endless.
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