Running communities and running clubs have become a rising trend, promoting the idea that the sport could be a social activity.
While run clubs initially attracted runners who are competitive, they gradually gained an increasing appeal to a wider audience that seeks camaraderie, motivation, and support.
The Science of Running
Like every other exercise, running itself can lead to tremendous physical benefits. For one, the exercise could boost a person's lactate threshold. As the body breaks glucose down for energy, this leads to a by-product known as lactic acid.
Harder work leads to a greater accumulation of lactate. Eventually, it will not be quickly disposed of. According to senior physiologist Jim Pate from Marylebone Health, a higher lactate threshold could enable a more sustainable and faster pace of running.
Aside from this, research has also revealed that running could boost bone health. Though the activity is typically seen as bad for joints, there is evidence that suggests that impact exercise could aid with bone density and bone formation.
Running could also aid with brain health. According to a 2021 study, just ten minutes of moderate-intensity running could boost local blood flow in brain parts that play crucial roles in managing executive functioning and mood.
Seeing such great brain function improvements in such a short span of time is extremely positive.
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Run Clubs and Conversational Running
In recent years, the surge of fitness apps and social media have fueled the rise of run clubs and running communities and their further transformation. Online platforms have enabled runners to organize events, connect, and monitor their progress. All of these have made running more inclusive and accessible.
Moreover, keeping a conversational pace while running with others could also lead to unique physical benefits.
Conversational running refers to maintaining a speed at which one may still speak in full sentences. Even though this pace may not feel quite challenging, it can still yield great health benefits. According to certified running and triathlon coach Kristen Hislop, regular low-intensity exercise could build endurance, enabling people to go further and longer.
This could also prompt a faster recovery and reduce injury risk. In comparison to high-intensity workouts, low-intensity ones are also more effective at burning fat.
Moreover, conversational running may also boost cognitive function. It can do so by reducing stress, boosting mental clarity, and increasing brain blood flow.
Good For Relationships
According to licensed marriage and family therapist Rachel Goldberg, who integrates walk-and-talk sessions into her practice, people have a higher willingness to be open when they exercise. Such a vulnerability could lead to stronger connections and deeper conversations. She notes that this could break barriers to social anxiety.
According to licensed marriage and family therapist Rachel Goldberg, who integrates walk-and-talk sessions in her practice, people have a higher willingness of being open when they exercise. Such a vulnerability could lead to stronger connections and deeper conversations. She notes that this could break barriers of social anxiety.
This could be due to how endorphins are stimulated when running. These feel-good natural chemicals in the body make people feel less stressed and better. With these hormones, everything appears to be more positive.
In a relationship sense, this could result in a more positive association with the person a person is running with, fostering bonding.
With this, social running is an effective strategy to make sure that a conversational pace is maintained while forming a community. This comes on top of all the great health benefits that running itself offers.
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