You’ve heard the old joke: Question: “Why do you go running?” Answer: “Because it feels so good when I stop!” Actually, that joke has more truth than you might think. Regular running produces a variety of benefits that make you feel good all of the time. Here are a few of the benefits of a regular running program: Running is one of the top activities for burning fat. Running burns more calories per minute than any other form of cardiovascular exercise other than cross country skiing (and it’s a little warm to be doing that). Running regularly also prevents age-related muscle and bone loss. High-intensity exercise like running has also been shown to promote the human growth hormone (so you don’t have to take injections of it). Running reduces the risk of stroke and breast cancer.
Regular running has become a treatment option for doctors to prescribe to patients who are at a high risk, or early stages, of osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension. It reduces the risk of heart attacks by strengthening the heart and lowering blood pressure. Running raises HDL (or "good") cholesterol, reduces the risk of blood clots, and encourages use of your full lung capacity. Running also boosts the immune system by creating a higher concentration of white blood cells. Of course, there’s also stress relief and various other psychological benefits of running.
If you’re thinking of improving your overall health by starting a running program, here’s some very basic beginners advice from Dan Loncto of Fleet Feet Buffalo:
1.) Run and Walk to Start. ”Try mixing running and walking, gradually increasing the time and distance you run and reducing the time and distance you walk.”
2.) Get Good, Well-Fitting Shoes. “Get a good pair of running shoes, from a place where they know how to fit you.”
3.) Drink (water or Gatorade, that is). “Be sure to stay hydrated, especially in this kind of weather.”
4.) Take Your Time. “Don’t try to run every day right off the bat --- increase your distance gradually.”
Of course, Dan recommends that beginning runners enroll in one of the programs that his store sponsors. Fleet Feet Buffalo is again offering its No Boundaries Beginner Running program, designed for people who are presently able to run a mile or can walk comfortably for 30 minutes, and would like to train to finish a 5K race. It also is offering a new intermediate program, called Running 101, that is geared for people can run 2 to 3 miles right now. Both No Boundaries and Running 101 give people an opportunity to train with other runners in a structured program with the assistance of experienced coaches.
Classes are starting new week, but there’s still time to register by going to www.fleetfeetbuffalo.com. The registration fee for each program is $75. Both programs will run for 10 weeks, with the goal race also being the Linda Yalem Safety Run 5K on September 28th.
Fleet Feet Sports Buffalo is a specialty runners’ store located at 2290 Delaware Ave. on the southwest corner of Delaware and Hertel. The phone number is 332-3501, and the website address is www.fleetfeetbuffalo.com.