Never been a runner before, but think its time to see what all the craic is about? Whether you’re interested in the London Marathon 2021 or fancy shifting a bit of timber by going on the odd jog around the local park. Perhaps you have heard people talk about the mental health benefits of running. There has never been a better time to start running and here’s why:
It’s free (WOO!)
It can be social - join a running group, there are loads of social track and road running groups around London
You can run a loop starting and finishing from your front door - no travel to the gym, no faffing around on the tube and no waiting for a shower…
People find it helps with their mental health, it creates time to think, process thoughts and time away from tech
Running burns a lot of calories in a relatively short period of time - now this should never be the reason for exercising but we can’t help but be a little interested, can we?
To give you all the information you need to empower you to put on your running shoes and reap all the above benefits, here are a few FAQ's that my clients and patients often ask:
What about running being bad for your joints?
Recently, more and more studies are showing that with an optimal training frequency, appropriate footwear and adequate rest and recovery the impact from running can help to strengthen bones, muscles and other soft tissues, and in some cases will reverse early stages of arthritis in the knees.
How far is a good distance to start and how do I progress?
A lot depends on your previous level of fitness. If you are already relatively fit and just starting running as a part of an existing regimen I could suggest anything from 30+ minutes. If you are truly sedentary and this is the first exercise you have done for a while it would be considerably less. The best way to work this out is to come in for a chat and we can get it planned out.
How do I start?
Grab your trainers, your headphones, your bottle of water and just go for it. Go alone, or with a friend, it's up to you! If you are a planner - you can plan your route on mapmyrun or if you are someone who is just happy to go with the flow just put on your trainers and head outside. No one can give you the perfect solution, and I can say with some certainty that not every run is enjoyable, but once you set yourself the challenge of getting it done the release of serotonin for that ‘runner’s high’ makes every step 100000000% worth it.
If you would like to book in for a pre-running physical assessment in Marylebone W1, get in touch. I will give you a full-body assessment, address any aches and concerns, and give you some physiotherapy exercises for runners. You don't have to be injured to see a physiotherapist, the power is in prevention.
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