23 good reasons to start running, according to experienced runners

Finding the motivation to run is not easy for everyone. And in the summer, some people blame the heat. In short, there’s always a good reason to leave your sneakers in the closet. What if you listened to the wise words of running enthusiasts to (re)discover the desire to hit the pavement? The magazine at the beginning of the year Stylist UK reveals the inspiring testimonies of 50 runners and their tips for motivating yourself.

Take time for yourself

Going for a run is primarily an opportunity get some fresh air and: reconnect with yourselfhis body. For many runners, this physical activity gives them a moment listen to your breathing And assess your muscle condition. For Ngozi, this sport clearly has a meditation plane and spiritual beyond the ordinary. “When I lace up my sneakers and go for a run, I feel like I can escape from everything and be in the moment,” he emphasizes.

Another advantage of running is that you can walk on asphalt. anywhere and anytime. It is enough to lighten our already busy mental load. 27-year-old globetrotter Sierra testifies. “Running in Madeira, Romania, London and Montenegro showed me that it’s not only good training, but also: a good way to explore new destinations“. We can too leave at a lower priceand re-motivate yourself through music.” “If you have the right pieces, you’ll fly,” enthuses Miranda, 35, a fan of Basshunter.

Health benefits

Running not only allows you to ventilate the lungs, this activity improves muscle strength, lowers blood pressure but also powerful anti-stressthey assure the runners. This is what Romain Beaufort, a sports doctor at the Drouot Clinic in Paris, explained to us in a previous article. “Running doesn’t save you from depression, but it can help you get out of it.” In fact, the longer we run, the more a feeling of satiety appears and lasts over time, say delighted runners.This is the well-known endorphin rush that occurs after 30 minutes of running, the magazine reports. Stylist.

Due to this euphoria, some individuals come out of their race not exhausted, but invigorated.This is the case of 39-year-old Sam. “I know that starting the day with a run gives me more energy than losing it.”

A sense of accomplishmentt:

Running 10 km is the first challenge for any beginner runner, but once this challenge is over, it will leave you a real sense of accomplishmentlike all the goals and victories you’ll achieve while training, promises Min, 55. Experienced runner Megan also talks about the benefits challenge yourself regularly “Setting a goal to run a little further each day really helped me get into running. I’m very competitive with myself, so running more or faster has always been the best way to get involved.”

Some runners use apps like Strava to fuel this motivation. On this platform, you share your completed races with your community. What can be more inspiring and motivating than compare your scores with your loved ones. But the desire to compete is not your only leverage. For example, other runners are signing up charity race on behalf of charities while others plan after a rewarding workout Breakfast with friends, a nice hot shower or even a nap on the sofa.

Customize your approach to running

Beware of excesses of goodwill. intense running can be detrimental and drastically slow down your practice due to injury or too much effort hence the need to listen to yourself when running “, says 28-year-old Milli. But slowing down and taking time to look at my surroundings and appreciate themI realized how great running can be. Today it’s my favorite pastime.”

Before you sign up for your first half-marathon, take the time to find the right run length and intensity for you, says Lauren, 27 small steps technique “I started running 1km every other day until I felt I could run more, eventually reaching 5km.”

Time to share

For many, joining a running club has been is a great way to share this physical activity with several people And so stick to your goals. Along the same lines, even just having a running buddy pushes you to push yourself further, according to 30-year-old Chloe. “Having a friend to run with is all the encouragement you need to keep running.”

Taking up running is not limited to the sport itself an original means of companionshipto meet new people. It is also possible to share this moment with animals, for example with a dog. This athletic practice is called “canicross”.

Putting the odds on your side

If you’re new to running, some of the women interviewed offer advice using the application Couch under 5k an advanced training program with 20- to 30-minute sessions to successfully complete a 5-kilometer race. This type of platform, among other things, allows you to monitor your progress. “Having specific data really helped me overcome difficulties and see the progress of my running abilities,” says 22-year-old Victoria.

After all, putting all the odds on your side so that you don’t give up on the run is necessarychoose a good pair sports shoes . Investing in quality shoes will certainly limit the risk of injury. Other runners also like to have nice workout gear. “It’s helped me a lot to wear loose, comfortable clothes (with a sports bra underneath) so I don’t have to think about my appearance,” says Sophie, 28. Jogging, hoodie or t-shirt, colorful or not, stand out and above all have fun.