3 Unexpected Benefits of Consistent Running

With mastery comes an increase in confidence

By the time I hit 16, I was 5'8'’ and lugging 95kgs (185 lbs) on my frame. Adolescence came late and the changes did not go unnoticed by the boys from my high school. From the class clown, I earned the nickname fatty.

It was torture.

To be the butt of everyone’s jokes. To hear my nickname yelled across the yard in the middle of the lunch hour. To see the looks of sympathy and pity from other students. To feel inadequate. I wished the earth would open up and swallow me whole.

As you can imagine those years left a mark on my self-esteem. They led to self-loathing and disgust over my body. They led to years of diets, extreme workouts, and plain starvation.

What worked, in the end, was a combination of factors. A mix of a consistent exercise routine, self-acceptance, and healthy eating. In the end, the desire for change helped me start and sustain a running habit. A habit that gave me more than weight loss. Running saw me through the trauma of an abusive marriage. It led me on great adventures and to meet loads of fantastic people.

In the end, I made peace with the body I have. I made peace with my pear-shaped body; with the well-rounded bottom and the small chest. With acceptance came peace and the realisation that I am okay as I am.

I now exercise to strengthen my body, not beat the holy-shit out of it. I now exercise for the runner’s high and the exhaustion from endless laps in the pool. I now exercise for the deep sleep, the glowing skin, and the fortitude.

As I look back at the landscape of my running life, I see many benefits gained beyond weight loss. Beyond the blackened toes, cotton burns, and creaky knees. Beyond the runs at crazy hours, the icebaths and the boredom inherent in repetition.

I see the benefits that hooked me for the next twenty years.

1. Great adventures await you

My maiden runs consisted of loops around the neighbourhood. Those loops were enough to get me to the point of breaking a sweat and panting at the end of each session. As my competence increased and the world opened up with the advent of the internet, I stepped out of home.

Technology provided me with the opportunity to meet and train with other runners. It narrowed the distance between us.

Running with a group gave me the chance to explore the nooks and crannies of my beautiful country. We ran in forests on the outskirts of town and parks within the city centre. We ran on dirt paths and new superhighways; on football fields and through game reserves. It allowed us the chance to train in different terrains and locations.

I developed friendships with people who shared my passion for exercise and running. It opened up a whole new world.

2. With mastery comes an increase in confidence

Running requires you to control your emotions. From the moment before you step out of the house to the times in your run when you want to quit. You need to push past the resistance from start to finish. This focus leads to a strong sense of accomplishment which boosts your self-confidence.

Plus, running leads to the production of the feel-good hormone endorphin. This hormone triggers a positive feeling in your body.

3. Lower susceptibility to illness

When it comes to exercise and susceptibility to illness; there are two factors to consider: intensity and duration.

Regular and moderate exercise sessions of 45 to 60 minutes boost immune function.

But, more than 90 minutes of high-intensity endurance exercise increases susceptibility to illness. These effects last for up to 72 hours after the exercise session.

While running is good for you, you should not overdo it.

Research on the connection between exercise and illness is still ongoing. Some of the unproven theories include:

• Running may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. This may reduce your chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illness.
• Running causes a brief rise in body temperature. This rise may prevent bacteria from growing and may help the body fight infection better.
• Running slows down the release of stress hormones. This reduction may protect against illness.

I started running to lose the name fatty. I ran to fit into a mould deemed acceptable by society.

In a world that glorifies thinness and looks, being heavy signifies brokenness. It is a sign of poor eating habits, laziness, and failure. Being fat signifies fewer opportunities in your career, dating life, and general happiness.

I ran to find acceptance from society.

But through the years I found other benefits. I found adventure, health, and self-acceptance.

As always thanks for reading. Keep the comments and corrections coming.

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