Tell me the benefits of running please

Running is great, I used it and still do for boxing conditioning. It made me lose weight, really adds to your legs if you are pushing it or adding weight. It is probably the best thing for your overall stamina and you get to see the sunrise over wherever you live. And I used my running time to become fluent in German and Italian and listen to countless audio books.

The duration depends on experience/weight/ect just test to see what you can do and go from there.

I started running daily about a year ago. Within that year span my legs are much more toned, my endurance is higher than ever, and my mood is lifted. That's just the beginning. My resting heart rate is that of an athlete and I give it to being in such good cardiovascular shape (thanks to the running). My lung capacity had improved drastically, and I have asthma!! I think running overall is a benefit to health.

I would say hit start with a small goal like running a mile non stop, etc. We aren't sure of your ability right now but my suggestion is start out slow. It's taken me a whole year and I still need to walk a bit to complete a 5k.

I just started MFP again about 3wks ago... I have knee and back problems, but I love jogging and didn't want to stop. Since I started up again... I am almost able to lightly jog a mile and I can say it has definitely improved my lungs. When I started I could barely run for a minute without gasping for breath or my chest burning. All those things have subsided and now I can't get enough. Hoping within the next month I can jog a mile without stopping.

Running gives me space to clear my head, it's good for stress. It's also helped lower my blood pressure and improve my cardiovascular fitness and endurance significantly. Clearly it's not the only option for the latter two, but it's the only one I've found that helps to clear the head as much.

I trail run by preference, so being out in nature is soothing. I saw three deer over two runs at the weekend.

It does increase the spurious noise from non runners telling me it's bad for the knees though. It's not.

I also enjoy races, trail half marathons and marathons for me. They're good fun, lots of friendly people and a bit of a laugh.

you can pick a target such as a half marathon or a 10k, get a suitable training plan and then work to that goal. This keeps you on track and motivated.

TavistockToad wrote: »

It's cheaper than therapy

^This.

Plus you are more likely to survive a zombie apocalypse as a runner.

Srsly. It's you get a good work out for low cost with minimal equipment. I love running when on holiday and visiting new cities - It's a great exercise when travelling on business.

I feel that I can get a decent work out with 20 mins or above of running, but if I mix sprints and hill climbs into that I can get a good intensive work out with warm up and cool down in 15 mins.

Running has been great for me - it's cheap (except for the shoes) and easy to get started (love C25K) and it does amazing things for my mood. I started to run about 5 years ago when my mum was sick and I think it's one of the things that helped keep me going through a very tough time with three months in hospice before she passed away.

I really enjoy the big community races (anyone in WA doing the Gallipoli or HBF runs?). Signing up for a race helps to keep me motivated to get outside and exercise, even now, in autumn, when the days are getting shorter and it's dark at 6am and it's just rained for the first time in forever. I will never be fast, but even so, there are some amazing races to participate in - I spent the last new year's eve running through the streets of Barcelona with a view of the Sagrada Familia in the distance, which was magical. My favourite before that was the Wings for Life race - which is held worldwide at exactly the same time (I'm very annoyed that they moved that to the other side of the country from me).

It has definitely helped with my weight loss and my general fitness. I think part of it is that I know I can run better when I'm a few kg lighter, so that's good motivation to watch my eating. And I like to add extra cals on running days, that gives me more flexibility with what I eat/drink. And of course the cardio exercise itself is good for my heart and my muscles.

I love to listen to podcasts or audiobooks while I run, so there's an entertainment factor for me too.

As to how long... that depends where you are starting from. For someone completely unfit like me - C25K for 30ish mins, 3 times a week is great. As you build up or if you are training for a specific event or distance you will have specific goals to meet that will almost certainly change this.

If you are going to get started running, I have a few bits of advice:
- don't overlook the importance of good shoes and a good supportive bra (if you are built that way).
- don't start too fast, get going slowly and work on your style and endurance, speed can come later.
- good core strength really helps me run better, faster and with less injury.
- if you are hurting, then rest, monitor it and, if it doesn't get better seek professional advice to identify the problem, and advice on how to go forward.