SO YOU SAY YOU WANT TO RUN #2 - DEBUNKING AGE OLD RUNNING MYTHS

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RUNNING IS BAD FOR YOUR KNEES .
The knee joint is very fine-tuned and is designed to withstand running. Running is a natural form of movement. If you tone your body in multiple ways, running can actually strengthen your joints. Running will not hurt your knees. This is actually one of the most persistent falsehoods out there and the one that stops most runners in their tracks.

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RUNNING IS BAD FOR YOUR HEART
Running is a wonderful form of cardiovascular exercise. All types of studies show that engaging in regular exercise like running can extend your life anywhere from 2 to 9 years. If you know and understand your cardiovascular fitness before you begin a running program it will equip you with the confidence to push yourself when the time is right.

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ONLY THIN PEOPLE SHOULD RUN
In my experience it makes no difference. I have seen them all out there giving it their all. Short, tall, thin, not so thin, every body shape and every body type. People of all all body types run on a regular basis and start and finish races of all lengths. You do not have to have a perfect body to start a running program. As soon as you start running your inner athlete will start to show. Running can change of the shape of your body and the shape of your life.

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RUNNING IS ONLY FOR THE YOUNG
Again not true. If you can walk you can run holds true at any age. Many runners come to the sport in adulthood. Most of them without any prior experience in high school or college. In fact I would say in my Running Club...RUN NOVA SCOTIA half or more are over the age of 40. So now I ask you. Is running for the young, or do runners simply look younger? The benefits you see in your face alone after running a few weeks may convince you.

Source: Google Images

Source: Google Images

YOU NEED LOTS OF STAMINA TO RUN
Running actually is what builds the stamina and if you train wisely with the correct direction you should have great success. You slowly increase the length of each run and make sure you take enough rest days. Then you will have all the endurance you need to run and run and run and well run some more.

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RUNNING IS BORING AND LONELY
Not true at all. Running has become more social than ever before. You can join a formal running club or an association. You can be part of an informal running group or run with a friend, neighbor or family member. You probably already know someone who runs and that is one way to connect with running buddies. Or join a local club, which is also a really great way to meet like minded people. No one needs to or has to be a lonely runner unless that is what you choose to do.

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Source: Goggle Images

THIS IS MY RUN CLUB

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JOGGERS AREN'T REAL RUNNERS
Here is what you need to know. All runners walk and all runners jog. From time to time it is the right thing to do at that given moment in your training program. As an athlete you have to work out in the best possible way for increasing your stamina. Also for your own achievement running, walking and jogging are all aspects of your workout. None of these carry a stigma of weakness. All training programs include LSD (long slow distance) Tempo runs, Steady Runs, Race Pace and Fartleks. So just follow your own training program, not someone else's and you will be fine.

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YOU NEED PERFECT STRIDE
Well ok...we all want to have a perfect stride, who doesn't? We all want to run "tall" with an erect posture. Your growth as a runner will bring you in touch with your own body. You will understand it's perfections and imperfections.
Your stride reflects your physiology and like everything else will evolve over time as you get deeper involved with your sport.

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Source: Goggle Images

WOMEN SHOULD NOT RUN
Ha Ha...this is the funniest thing I have ever heard. No your bladder will not drop. In fact it can only strengthen it if nothing else. No your uterus will also not drop. In fact what better way to strengthen that area as well.
Women can, do and should run, if that is what you want to do.

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Source: Goggle Images

Source: Maritime Photography, Personal Files

IGNORE THE MYTHS: YOU CAN BE A RUNNER
If you have doubts always ask yourself this. Is this something I want to do? If so, that is all that is needed is the desire. Its very simple if you want to be a runner you will be one. Remember that your body knows how to run. After all we are all primates. Now having known that we will never have to run from a saber-toothed tiger, you only have to run through the park, but isn't it nice to know you are equipped to do so?

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In fact you will find that running puts you in touch with something fundamental about the human experience.

Everything will start with your intention. It does not matter if you wish to run alone or with friends. For the thrill of the competition or because it just makes you feel good about yourself, it all starts within you. If you hold onto the image of yourself as a runner you will do nothing but surprise yourself and your abilities, have fun and feel so connected with mother earth and nature. So get out there and enjoy.

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Source: Goggle Images

Namaste

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