Monday, January 20, 2014

Benefits of running


Weather is still wet but I don't  necessarily need to hang up my running shoes. Today I ran 50 minutes along the wide pedestrian area located between the town and the sea. Running in the rain can make for a pleasant change of pace or prepare us for a inevitable race-day downpur. In fact, while I was running my last race on Sunday 5th, I was compelled to run through the water (the  picture below shows the flooded running track). I got this picture thanks to Stefano who had found it through the web. I can see my happy expression through that picture which reminds me that I felt really great and relaxed after I had run that short race. Along the running track I felt the wonderful smell of the pine tree forest after the rain. That's why I am inspired to write down a few thoughts about benefits of running. 

I got envolved with our blogging community four year ago as it is an easy way to converse with like-minded runners around the world. That's the main reason why I love sharing opinions and experiences through blogposts and comments. Actually, since 2010 I have been learning something about running thanks to bloggers' posts and I can say that most of us, running friends, know the euphoric feeling one sometimes gets after running. It is a great way to get into shape but not all of the benefits of running are physical: exercise stimulates endorphin production, and it is known that endorphins improve mood and makes us feel good. In this perspective, running can provide a noticeable boost to our confidence and eliminate depression and stress, which can cause a number of health and mood problems.
In addition to this, runners generally like to run on sunny mornings as our body makes vitamin D when our skin is exposed to adequate amounts of sunlight. We probably need from 5 to 30 minutes of exposure to the skin on our face, arms, back or legs two times every week. Running also gives us the opportunity to get enough sun exposure from November through February (of course I am talking about the northern hemisphere). Moreover, while we are running and getting vitamin D through sun exposure we can also enjoy sceneries and landscapes. Shall I continue? 
Most experts in the medical field say that the list of running health benefits along with many other aerobic exercises is simply incredible, although at the moment there are even more benefits of running that haven’t been discovered. There is no doubt that running is a great way to increase our overall level of wellness. 
Have you discovered other benefits of running?
I took this picture today while I was running. It shows the pedestrian area above mentioned
Happy runs!

Monday, January 06, 2014

First race of the new year

Yesterday, on a rainy Sunday, I had been happy to run my first race of the new year. Fortunately, there was no rain while we where running. The track was wet enough and I sometimes had no choice but running through the water. It was a 5 km race (maybe 5.400 km as Stefano's garmin reported a different distance), which I ran as training. I really enjoyed the running track through the Castel Fusano forest, which is a wonderful protected area located between the Western neighborhoods of Rome and the seacost. I crossed the finish line after I had run 26 minutes. Of course, I didn't care about the time taken and ran with the right spirit as I am not adequately trained at moment. In December I went to Naples twice and didn't run during Chrtistmas holiday. I am sure that my speed will increase step by step considering that I've planned to run a race a month ... at least. Anyway, that relaxing race, through the forest and along a soft running path, gave me the opportunity to feel the smell of the pine tree forest after the rain. It was absolutely stunning!

Relaxing environment along the track.

The friendly atmosphere around the water point where runners had warm tea and cakes.

After the race I was so happy and felt very relaxed: running really makes us feel better!
Happy running/walking everyone!