I love to run. As a
rule, I manage to get out and run on average about three times a week. So, I
love running. Recently the pressures of my work have meant that I haven't
managed to get out and run as much as I’d like.
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| Blowing away the Cobwebs |
The other day I got out the
door and had the first decent run I’ve had in a while and boy did it blow away
the cobwebs? I really enjoyed it. it was great, and it made me appreciate just
how good running is for me. A recent article in Runner’s World magazine
suggested that it’s one of the best ways to get your weekly quota of physical
activity. Apparently, recent studies say that runners live an average of up to
three years longer and have a thirty percent lower risk of all-cause mortality than
inactive people.
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| Many well documented studies showing health benefits |
There are many
documented studies showing the benefits of running and how it works on many
levels. It seems that running helps to lower your resting heart rate. I'm
approaching 65 so, as an older adult my heart rate is lower anyway, but I’ve
been running for a good few years now and my resting heart rate is about 45 bpm
which I think is pretty good by any standards. Running has also been pretty
good at lowering my blood pressure over the years and has certainly improved my
cardiorespiratory function.
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| Follow the Pied Piper |
I had a Heart Attack in
2010 and some people feel that I shouldn’t be running at all. For me running
was a path back to fitness and I do believe that running helps to keep my heart
healthier for all the reasons listed above. They do say that running can reduce
your risk of heart disease by as much as 45%. I have certainly felt the
benefits. It is all too easy after going through some physical trauma to sit
back a wrap (or allow others) to wrap you in cotton wool. No doubt people mean
well, but it doesn't help.
Interestingly, it’s not
just heart and lungs. It seems that runners possess greater insulin sensitivity
and glucose uptake as well as greater HDL (Good) cholesterol levels. In
addition, running boosts muscular mass and bone density, which suggests that
runners might have a lower risk of osteoarthritis the non-runners.
As well as the obvious physical benefits, there is lots of research out there that suggests running is good for your mental wellbeing too. So, It’s clear to me that running is good for me mentally and physically, but did you know that studies have shown that it can also increase brain power? There is research showing that it's had an impact on the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex of the brain which can lead to higher cognitive functions and much less incidents of depressive symptoms.
As well as the obvious physical benefits, there is lots of research out there that suggests running is good for your mental wellbeing too. So, It’s clear to me that running is good for me mentally and physically, but did you know that studies have shown that it can also increase brain power? There is research showing that it's had an impact on the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex of the brain which can lead to higher cognitive functions and much less incidents of depressive symptoms.
So, both from a
physical and from a neurological point of view running seems to be a good
thing. It certainly works for me anyway and that's why I love to run.
I have written a short
e-book about my experiences as a runner, both before and after my Heart attack.
It's called Running with A Wounded Heart and is available at the very modest
price .
Also, you may be interested in my new book, Too Old to Ultra, which will be available to
Pre-Order in March 2019
Pre-Order in March 2019
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