5 Reasons to Start Running this Summer
Running is probably my favourite form of exercise (besides dance!). With summer around the corner, you won't be able to get away with any weather-related excuses, so let's get going!
So many people love to hate running, it makes me so sad :( Running is one of the most therapeutic, satisfying, enjoyable, and useful forms of exercise - not to mention its FREE! In this post I’m sharing what I love about running in the hopes that maybe it will help you get a new perspective and give you the motivation to give it another try, and even commit to a few races!
First off, if you are one of those running haters, to each their own! I’m not here to convert anyone, but if you want to like running and need some help, I’ve got you. So stop telling yourself you hate running; stay open minded and read on!
- Running is therapeutic. Being outside, moving through space, increased heart rate and breathing, not to mention of course the endorphins all make me feel so good. There is something about the act of physically moving forward that gets my mind moving as well, I find I do my best thinking and feel very inspired while running.
- Exploring new places. This doubles as a great way to stay fit while on vacation :) When I’m travelling, I love to just leave my hostel/airbnb/hotel and start running and see what I stumble upon! Sometimes I will Google Map a landmark/neighborhood I’d like to see and create a route that will take me there. If it’s far away, I’ll take the metro or even an uber there, do the run, and come home. It’s way faster than walking around so you can cover much more ground, and discover so many more places that you otherwise might not have! A goal of mine is to run destination marathons or even just 10kms or halfs in exotic locales! Even if you don’t have any travel plans lined up, running is fantastic way to explore new neighbourhoods in your own city. My favourite place to run in Toronto is along the waterfront!
- It awakens my muscles and body and makes me feel in control of it. Running is my favourite warmup for dance. Before an audition, performance, or just a class, I like to go for a run before hand because it makes me feel like I have the control of my body that I need in order to dance my best, not to mention the confidence-boost and calming effect of runners' high.
- Get OUTSIDE! It’s the summer, we should spend as much time as possible soaking up the beautiful outdoors and enjoying the fresh air. You can find ways to sneak running into your life too, for example run to and from the gym! Run to do errands (and walk back if you got groceries or something), run to work, run everywhere!
- It’s FREEEEE and it’s something you can do anywhere, any time. No gym? No problem!!
If you need some moral support for getting started, there are some amazing running groups in Toronto to join (stay tuned for my next post about my favourite ones!)