Why People Should Run

Running is one of the best exercises that you can do to improve your physical fitness. It is also one of the oldest exercises: for as long as people can remember, people have been running. I started running more seriously nearly a year ago, and I have to say, my life has gotten a lot better since I started. Running gives people confidence, strength, something to do during the day, and other benefits that people are just looking to get out of an everyday activity.

First and foremost, people should run because it is good for them. Running is a strong cardiovascular exercise, so you're sure to burn some fat if you run for a few weeks and eat carefully as well. In fact, I didn't change what I ate and ran for three solid months; I lost about ten pounds of weight without even wanting to. I have since gained it back through a heavier lifting program, but the point is that running is good for you. I felt stronger, my heart was healthier, and I was able to stay energized longer because I had more endurance. The physical benefits alone should be enough to make running a choice activity for anyone.

When people exercise, they release endorphins throughout their body. Now, as you know, running is an exercise, so when people run, they release endorphins through their body. Endorphins make people feel happy as a side effect of exercise; they're calmer, more relaxed, after they're finished their exercise. Additionally, one can experience "runner's high" which is a euphoria that is reached when one has been running for a significant amount of time in one day and starts to feel lighter and stronger because of the combined effects of endorphins and adrenaline. And why is this good for people? Well, people should feel happy whenever possible, shouldn't they?

I've mentioned that running gives people something to do during the day. If someone is chronically bored, then running is the perfect solution: long-distance runs can take hours, so if you have that kind of free time during the week, or even just on the weekends, then you should consider taking up running. Additionally, it gives people something to do with each other. When I started running, I could hardly ever do it by myself. It's always more enjoyable when you run with a friend, because it gives you someone to talk to and someone to keep you going. Running with a friend or significant other is a great way to strengthen a relationship as well.

Running with a team is an experience that I will never forget. Having other people to share a common activity with is invaluable. It helps if you're trying to make friends or just trying to feel good about something. Although this is similar to running with another person, "pack running" is fun because more than two people are running together; instead, about six or seven people will form a circle or some other formation as they practice or race against other teams. It's a truly amazing experience for anyone, even the beginners.

If you're trying to get in shape for another sport, consider this: running is used in practically every sport. Basketball, soccer, football, tennis, and many other sports use running to get around the field of court. You'll need to do at least a little running during your training in order to have any hope of competing in these sports at a higher level. People should run because it helps them in every other athletic activity that they can do.

In conclusion, running is a very useful activity and sport for anyone. It makes people healthier, stronger, happier, and just better people overall. Many of my best memories come from my first season of running Cross Country, and I highly recommend that any high school students who are in need of something to do during the fall join up with their Cross Country team. I believe the world would be a better place if more people ran: there'd be less war because people would be happier; less crime because people would be busy; and less deaths due to heart conditions because people would be in better shape.