Last Updated on December 2, 2022 by Jeff
Rediscover Your Passion for Running!
If you are reading this, you probably love the idea of running. That is to say, you are probably super enthusiastic about strengthening your heart and lungs while burning calories and building a great butt! But becoming as passionate about running as you are about it benefits can be challenging. Running isn’t exactly easy, which is why making running fun matters.
One good way of making running enjoyable is finding your niche. Which of the following running methods have you tried?
1. Long Distance
Have you ever dreamed of completing a marathon? This is the ultimate goal of many long-distance runners, but getting there takes time and dedication. After getting a few 10ks under their belts, the next big goal for long distance runners is usually a half marathon or two. These events offer a nice balance of being challenging yet achievable. And they allow runners to simulate the environment that marathons offer. If you are interested in getting all the way to a marathon, then we recommend checking out this recent Top Fitness Magazine article entitled “A Beginner’s Marathon Training Plan.”
2. Sprinting
Sprinting events such as the 100-meter dash are extremely popular in high school athletics, but for most people, getting older means switching into other forms of running. But if you love this type of competition, there are still events out there for you. Try searching for events near you or asking people in your local running community!
3. Trail
For nature lovers, the decision to run trail events is an easy one. However, it’s important to realize that most trail races are far from being a walk in the park. Harsh inclines and uneven footing is the norm, so a bit of preliminary training is usually necessary. Check out our training archives for more information on how you can achieve your goal of running trail!
4. Walking
There are many reasons why you may wish to consider walking as a sport rather than running. For example, if you are first starting out on your fitness journey, walking offers a more gentle way to begin that will result in fewer sore muscles and rest days. Similarly, people who have suffered an injury or who are physically unable to run can still reap many of the same benefits from running. In fact, studies have shown that walking burns more calories per mile than running does!
5. Medium-Distance
This is by far the most popular form of organized running event. 5 and 10ks give runners a chance to push themselves without pushing the limits, and they are great for competitors of virtually all skill levels. If you are interested in finding one of these events in your hometown, then this 5 and 10k directory from Runners magazine is a great place to start; though, as always, checking with local resources and asking members of the local runners’ community is always the best place to start.