It is widely known and undisputed that running is good for you. There are some obvious and not so obvious benefits of running, most of which I have learnt over the years of running myself and some of which I have learned through others during the running courses.
Running….
Helps you to Get Fit Lose Weight and Tone Up
One of the more commonly known benefits, running is a great way to get fit, lose excess weight and tone up. As an aerobic exercise, it is an excellent way to burn off excess fat and calories. As one woman said after the 0-5km course “Thanks for all (and especially me getting back into size 10 jeans!)”
As running uses your entire body, it helps to tone up your whole body, so your legs, stomach, glutes and even your arms tone up. People have often asked me what weights I do because my arms are toned. The answer is none. It is the motion of moving my arms while running that makes them toned.
Supports your Immune System
One of the not so commonly known benefits is that it strengthens your immune system, therefore making your body more capable of fighting off infections. Even in the depths of winter you can get some Vitamin D when you are running outside.
In October 2023, a woman somewhat apprehensively signed up to the 0-5km running course. She was apprehensive about it as she suffers from chronic sinus infections, which are aggravated in the winter time. So she did the 1 week trial before committing to the 8 week course. 8 weeks later not only did she finish the course, but she said that she felt more healthy than she had in a long time as it was one of the longest periods of time that she hadn’t had a sinus infection.
Clears your head
This really is one of my favourite things about running. It really does help to clear your head of all the day to day goings on. It is time out from everything, with no interference from phones, computers, TV, office work, house work, kids everything! I find that I do most of my thinking and planning when I am out running.
One evening after one of the running sessions, we were doing a post run stretch and a previous Coast Road Runner finished up her run. She came over to us and said that she was so happy that she went out for a run. She had an issue with work that she just couldn’t get her head around, but a solution finally came to her when she was out for her run.
Improves your mood and helps relieve stress
Running is also known for its mental health benefits, and can help to improve your mood and relieve stress. This is because running makes the brain pump out endorphins. So if you find yourself in a really bad mood or stressed for whatever reason, you may think that there’s nothing like a glass of wine or beer or some chocolate to relieve your stress. But there’s really nothing like going for a run to improve your mood or relieve stress. Sometimes even as you step out the front door to start your run you begin to feel better. And you may not even feel like the glass of wine or chocolate after!
On endless occasions people have said after their running session that they are so glad that they went for a run after the day that they just had.
Helps you feel more energetic
Running can really help you to feel energetic. If in the evening you’re feeling tired and sluggish, chances are that if you go out for a run, you will actually feel more energetic than if you sat down in front of the TV for the night. It is the same in the morning. If you can get out for a run in the morning, it really sets you up well for the rest of the day.
Gives you a Sense of Achievement and Self Confidence
When you first take up running, the sense of achievement that you will feel is huge, be it your first non-stop 3 minute run or 30 minute 5km run. It is not just after you do it, but during it too you will find yourself saying that you can’t believe you are actually doing this! One of the best parts about training people to run from 0-5km is seeing how people’s self-confidence grows as the weeks progress. It is not just the running confidence that grows but confidence in general.
A person came up to me once after the 0-5km course. She was due to go back to work after 3 years maternity leave and was so worried and apprehensive about it. She told me that doing the 0-5km course gave her the confidence that she needed to return to work as she felt that if she can run for 5km non-stop, something that she had never gotten close to doing before, she can do anything now.
Sleep Better
Running helps many people to get a better night’s sleep. Numerous people who have done the running courses have told me that they sleep much better on days/nights that they run. There was one person in particular that really benefited from this. With a long term sleeping condition, she said that her sleep had improved significantly when she started the 0-5km running course.
Flexible
Running is so flexible as you can pretty much run anywhere, any time and in any weather. Depending on where you live, most people can just put on their running gear and run out the door, without having to pack a bag, get in the car etc. it is even so easy to go for a run on holidays.
You can run all year round. It really doesn’t matter what the weather is like. It always seems worse when you are looking out at it from inside. Believe it or not, it is actually quite therapeutic running in the rain. And it is different when you are walking as you’re constantly trying to keep yourself dry, especially if you are going somewhere. But you don’t need to keep dry when you are running as you’ll be going straight home to change and shower anyway.
Since starting Coast Road Runners I have never cancelled a session because of the weather. The only reason that I would cancel one is if it was dangerous e.g. icy under foot or if there was a storm and the public were advised to stay indoors. But other than that, a bit of wind or rain won’t hurt anyone.
Free
Apart from a once off fee if you go down the road of doing a running course, running is absolutely free. Other than buying running gear, some of which you may already have from other activities, running won’t cost you anything, unlike many other forms of exercise that have membership fees etc.
Social and Fun
Running has become so much more popular in recent years, so it has become a lot more social than it used to be. Park Run Ireland has played a huge part in increasing the social side of running. They are a free weekly event, where thousands of people throughout Ireland come out every Saturday morning to do a 5km park run. And there are 5km, 10km, half marathons and marathons going on around Ireland every week. And with most races come post-race celebrations be it coffees, lunches, dinners or pubs, all of which Coast Road Runners is always happy to organise!
There is a huge social element to Coast Road Runners running courses, as you are meeting new people in your area with a new similar interest. While most of the time is spent running and trying to breathe, there is a huge amount of chat and laughs in the groups before, during and after the sessions. Each group also has it’s own WhatsApp group, which stays open indefinitely and is a great source of keeping the group running and meeting up long after the course ends.
Supports many great charitable causes
A huge knock on benefit of running is that so much money is raised for great causes through the various races that are held throughout Ireland. The amount of money that Coast Road Runners alone has raised for charities by people either entering races where the proceeds go to charity and/or raising sponsorship privately in a race is mind blowing. This is undoubtedly one of the most unique benefits of running that I have learnt since starting Coast Road Runners.
