I enjoy running. It’s something I took up about 7 years ago, and thankfully I’ve managed to keep it going. Now I won’t be entering any marathons, or even half marathons any time soon, but I enjoy the fresh air and freedom I get from running.
On the other hand, I know plenty of people who hate it! They find it boring and would rather do anything else than run!
We live in a world where we seem to love telling each other what’s good for us…but how are we supposed to know what’s good for someone else? Sure, we can give advice (if it’s asked for), but ultimately the decision of what you choose to do is yours. I’m going to give you some reasons why you should run, but also some reasons why you shouldn’t! The thing to remember is, it’s your choice…
I run on my own...
Before we look at the pros and cons of running, I would like to point out something.
I like to run on my own. A lot of magazines and blogs will tell you to find running partners. That’s great for some, but I’m someone who likes to compare my progress with my past self, not against others. Everyone has such different expectations of fitness…some need to always improve, some are erratic with their schedule and some are overly competitive.
Me, I like the fresh air, I enjoy short runs and I’m comfortable where I am with it. I have ran up to a half marathon, but would not enjoy a half marathon right now (I don’t do enough mileage for it). You see:
- I know my fitness levels.
- I know what is a good or bad run for me any given time of the year.
- I’m not trying to break any records.
- I don’t obsess about getting faster each year.
- Doing it the way I do it means I shouldn’t get sick of it.
The thing that worked for me was getting a watch to track my progress. I like to know how I’m doing, so timing myself is important for me. Other people are totally different, they would hate to time themselves.
I still remember the first time I went for a ‘proper’ run at the very beginning…stopping 3 times in the first KM!!
Slowly but surely though, each run got a little easier and I began to form a base level of fitness. It took me quite a while, but I saw I was improving and that was good enough for me.
The point is, everyone is different. Some love running with partners or groups, others may enjoy it on their own. Let’s go ahead and look at some reasons why running is good, and some why it’s not so good!
1. It's good for you physically.
Most will agree running can benefit you physically. Let’s see how:
- helps you lose weight.
- helps to keep the weight off.
- lowers your blood pressure.
- improves congnitive function.
- improves your immunity.
- can strengthen your knees and back (believe it or not).
2. It's good for you mentally.
Outdoor running just makes you feel good in my opinion. Wind, rain or sun, it doesn’t really matter, once you’re outside it can give you a nice boost just to know you are doing something out in the open.
Coach mag tell us “running can make you feel happier immediately”. Some studies have shown that runners are 30% less likely to have depression. Running is also great for short-term destressing.
You may have heard people say “there is no such thing as a bad run”. I’m not so sure of that! I actually think this saying can make people feel like they have to enjoy every run and if they don’t, they have let themselves down. It’s almost counter productive to say every run is great.
Lots of my runs have been really crap, and I think it’s ok to say that to yourself. However, the important thing is not to beat yourself up over it, be happy you did it and focus on the next run being better. Knowing some runs will be tougher than others should allow you to focus on the positive fact that you actually completed it, even though it was difficult. This in itself is great for your mentality.
3. It's cheap and doesn't take up a lot of time.
A fantastic reason to run… you only need decent running shoes and away you go! No annual membership needed, you don’t have to buy loads of equipment, or drive somewhere to do it (unless you want to). Alongside walking, it must be the cheapest form of exercise out there?
Sports stores always have great sales on running shoes and clothes, you really don’t need to spend much money at all.
Nowadays, people say they are pressed for time. 
“Oh I don’t have time for XYZ”. A 20 minute run 3 times a week will give you all of the benefits we spoke about in points 1 and 2. It will take 5 minutes to get dressed, 20 minutes for the run, then 15 minutes for a shower and change. We can find 40 minutes of time 3 times a week if we really wanted to!
4. Gives you a sense of achievement.
Routine and habit are quite commonly found characteristics in humans. With that though, can come boredom and complacency sometimes. We all need little wins every now and then, something a little different from our day to day lives.
There is a great sense of achievement in finishing your first KM without stopping! Then working your way to whatever makes you feel great, be it 3K, 10K, 20K etc.
Remember, you are running for yourself, so they are your goals and targets. When you hit one, you feel great. You could give yourself this feeling every week if you ran, wouldn’t that be nice?
And you shouldn't run because...
1. You're doing it for someone else.
When I first started running, I would have asked my wife every so often would she like to join me…I wasn’t annoying her (I think!), but just thought it would be a nice hobby for us to do together.
She tried it out a little bit, probably to shut me up, but she just didn’t like it. It didn’t take me long to realise, and I soon stopped annoying her! Some people just don’t want to do it and that’s fine too.
You may not enjoy running at the very beginning, because you are unfit etc., and if that’s where the lack of enjoyment is coming from, I would say reset your goals and keep it going.
However, if you are running because someone else wants you to and you’re really not enjoying the process then you should stop. Not enjoying it but wanting to keep going for yourself is one thing, but running for someone else is not the way to go.
2. You enjoy relaxing another way.
Running is a way of relaxing for me. I feel good after it and it’s a great de-stressor. Some people love lifting weights, cycling, or any other type of sporting activity for that matter. Others enjoy reading a book, or watching cute videos on You Tube!
The point is, if running is something you dread doing, you’re not going to relax very well are you? We all need ways to take some time out every now and then, so that should mean focusing on something YOU enjoy. You’re doing it for yourself, so it should be something you look forward to.
3. You obsess over it.
As with most things in life, too much of something is a bad thing. While I was saying running is great for body and mind alike, if you over do it, the opposite can be true.
Tim Rodgers explains:
“Runners can be over-focused on weekly mileage, never missing a training session and manipulating their day around their training run so that it dominates above all else.
Running is an obsessive activity and can attract obsessive characters”.
The above won’t lead to a healthy balanced lifestyle. Running should fit in around friends, family, work commitments etc., not the other way around.
To conclude.
I run, so I’m bias towards reasons why you should do it. As part of a balanced lifestyle, it really can do wonders for the body and mind.
But it’s not for everyone. I have some good friends who are very fit and active but hate running. If someone asked me to go for a cycle or lift weights, I would be like “no thanks”.
For me, the benefits of running far outweigh the disadvantages, but the whole purpose of this blog was to highlight the fact that it isn’t for everyone and that’s totally fine.
What I would say to people is, if you like running great, if you don’t, then try find something that’s good for your body and mind that you enjoy doing. Do it for you and no one else.
Some good points there Tom, especially about doing it for you, and not someone else.
I did find when I began running about 5 or six years ago now, that I did not enjoy the running, but the feeling afterwards. That was until one day, during a run, I actually felt great, and was enjoying it immensely. It was like I had finally got my second wind or something.
Running in the rain is probably my favourite thing to do, throw a hill in there and I cannot think of anything better.
As you said, not for everyone, but there is something for everyone.
On a final note; it’s great to read a brothers perspective on various aspects of life, thank you for doing this blog.
Hi Joe!
Thanks for the comments…I enjoy the rain myself, running into the wind is probably my least favourite, but it helps you strengthen too!
Glad you’re enjoying the blog.