Run to keep fit

A tip: get a sturdy pair of lightweight running shoes

Remember when badminton became all the rage 10 years ago? Nowadays it’s running and jogging that’s experiencing a big resurgence. Every month some big company-sponsored running event at the The Fort in Taguig or Greenbelt in Makati is being staged while mini-runs are held weekly by clubs or small organizations for  fund-raising. Either way, running is a great way to keep fit as it not only fosters camaraderie but is cost-effective as well– you need only a pair of good running shoes and a nice route or track.

You can run with a group or by yourself, all alone, which is also a good form of therapy as running soothes the mind as well. Running stabilizes blood pressure, lowers blood sugar, lets you detox and burn fat. Many attribute their trim waists to daily running because it is one of the best belly-busting exercise one can do at any time of the day, sans equipment. Who needs a treadmill anyway when you can breathe in clean air while zipping past greenery and observing people as you move along?

If you have a fitness goal, say, lose a kilo a week, then look to running. I myself, the kikaygurl, can attest to the effectivity of running as a means to maintain weight. I took to running two years ago, sporadically at first, until I have come to enjoy it and made it a daily habit. It’s become as easy for me as brushing my teeth. I wake up, get my caffeine boost and run 15-20 minutes a day with my Ipod. If I have time, I go to the park, if not, I run within our residential compound and the adjoining streets.

There are running clinics being held every now and then which help novices get a few pointers on how to avoid the common injuries runners experience –shin splints, runner’s knee, tendonitis or sprain — but the most important thing to remember is to cool down and stretch. Get a nice, sturdy pair of running shoes, one that has breathable mesh material,  light weight, and is made specifically for running. If you find yourself able to run at least 3 km without tiring out, then by all means, join a running event and aim for the 5k. There is no limit to what one can achieve as long as you remember the cardinal rule: run to get fit and have fun while you’re at it.