The Joys of Running!

Being physically active isn't something I do, like go to the mall. It's part of my lifestyle. Tony Hawk skateboards, Ne-yo writes and sings, and Joel works out! Plain and simple. I don't play many sports because I don't have the time. I can run whenever I want to though, in the morning at 6AM before I go to class, or at 10PM when I get home from work, no team mates required! It's such a great stress reliever as well, nothing like it. Better than any drug or alcohol out there! I will say this though, it definitely isn't for everybody. Some people prefer to ride the bicycle, or like I mentioned before, play a sport for cardio. But if you are one of those people (like me) that don't have time for sports, but would like to get into running, there are a few things you can do to make it fun for yourself. Or at least tolerable if you're doing it to try and to lose a little weight.

• Running with a Partner

Running with somebody will motivate you more rather than if you are running by yourself. You will either get that competitive energy or just get caught up in the conversation and that will be fuel enough for both of you to keep it going. A way to gauge if you are running at a pace adequate to your current physical level is to try and hold a regular conversation while you run with your partner without huffing and puffing for air. If you can't run and talk at the same time, you should slow down your pace until you can.

• Good music

While some people can listen to slow jams and it keeps them going, most of us require some fast paced music. Any type of fast rock, rap, or techno get's the job done for me. I recently downloaded this 68 minute techno podcast from http://www.motiontraxx.com/ for free, it's really fast paced, the DJ says at about 168 Beats per minute lol, if that doesn't keep your legs moving, nothing will!

• Environment

This is the most important one for me. It's probably because I've been working out for a long time now, going on 4+ years. I've felt like a hamster on a treadmill for the first 2 years working out, then once I got to college I expanded my horizons. You can run on the indoor track or the outside. I also like to run outside! Running outside for me sure beats the treadmill, though it's not as precise, as you know with the treadmill you get the full readings like the total miles ran, calories expended, and your current heart rate. The constant change of scenery is what does it for me though while jogging outside. I know people that HATE running on a treadmill or on a track in circles, but take them out on the streets and they will run for days. Running on the treadmill might seem like it's taking forever because your staying in the same spot and just running while constantly staring down at the time lol, I HATE THAT SHIT! Running in a track makes people seem like their participating in a on foot version of Nascar, going round and round and...you get the idea.

So if you think you hate running, and you haven't tried any of these, what do you have to lose? Go for it!