After finishing my fifth half-marathon this past weekend, I once again come back to the same question myself and many of my friends ask. Why do I do it? Why does anyone want to dedicate hours of their life to run mile after mile? My answer has always been that it makes me feel powerful. Knowing that I can push myself and complete an obscene amount of miles proves that quitting and slowing down is all in my head.
This same philosophy is then carried into every part of my life—mentally, emotionally, and physically. No matter how tough something can be, no matter how stressed I get, I know that my body and mind can handle it, which is truly a liberating feeling. Now, for those of you who might still be wary of why you should run 13.1 miles at some point in your life, here are some reasons why.
1. It’s challenging but manageable
Long runs don’t take much longer than an hour, or two hours. So, there is some amount of commitment to train for a half-marathon, but it won’t consume you. Additionally, according to Business Insider and Jesse Itzler, there is a 40 percent rule, which means that when you think you’ve reached your limit you are in fact only 40 percent done. With this mindset, you can easily run 13.1 miles.
2. Running makes you happier, less stressed, and less anxious
If you work out regularly, then you know the feeling. In a 2006 study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, researchers found that even a single bout of exercise—30 minutes of walking on a treadmill—could instantly lift the mood of someone suffering from a major depressive order. In a May 2013 study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise in which rats and mice got antidepressant-like effects from running on a wheel, researchers concluded that physical activity was an effective alternative to treating depression.
3. You sleep better
If you run on a regularly basis, then you tend to have a better sleeping routine in order to sustain regular workouts. Additionally, your quality of sleep improves so that you can sleep much more soundly!
4. You heart will thank you
Running for just one hour a week reduces the risk of heart disease by almost half compared to those who do not run.
5. Your memory will improve
Running on a regular basis will undoubtedly help you “think better”, or in other words, makes you focus more and will enhance your memory. Studies consistently found that in stroke patients, regular exercise improves memory, language, thinking, and judgment problems by almost 50%. The research team found the most improvement in attention, concentration, planning, and organizing.
6. You can live longer
A December 2012 study published in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review stated that regular exercise helps defeat age-related mental decline, particularly functions like task switching, selective attention, and working memory.
7. You get quality alone time
Some of the best contemplating will be done on a run. If something is bothering you, or stressing you out, running helps to alleviate those concerns. If you are like most people, with a chock-full day, then running gives you an hour of downtime where your mind can wander.
8. You get to burn calories, lose weight, and up your self-esteem
Obviously, exercising burns calories. However, studies have shown that running regularly boosts “afterburn”—that is, the number of calories you burn after exercise. So, even when you stop running you continue to shed weight!
9. On the flip side, you get to eat more carbs
Everyone lost carbs, especially pasta. Now you have an excuse to eat more carbs, especially when you are at the peak of your training. Increasing carb intake even helps running performance.
10. You get a shiny medal!
Along with apparel, and mugs! Additionally, medals can now serve as coasters, bottle openers, etc.
11. There’s always an after-party
Aside from getting bragging rights from a shiny new medal, there is always some kind of post-race party or celebration. Live music often accompanies races and at the end of some half marathons, cold beer is waiting for you at the finish line.
12. You can bounce back quickly
The half marathon is tiring, but the recovery window for 13.1 miles is much shorter than that of a full marathon. Rather than taking two or more weeks to recover, it will only take you 3-5 days.
13. You feel accomplished
Finishing a half marathon is no easy feat because it’s nearly impossible for anyone to fake it for 2 hours. You have to train and have discipline. Therefore, all of the weeks training comes to fruition. You did it!
13.1
Once you do one, most of you won’t be able to stop. As soon as you’ve conquered one running goal, it really is inevitable that you will look toward another. The feeling that you get at the end of any race is sheer bliss. This is especially true of running 13.1 miles. You realize that you truly can do anything that you set your mind to. Run on!
