Why do we run, is it good for you?

[jsmoke]

Serious question.

So you run 4km or so, your legs are burning as are you insides. You stop and spend 5 mins recovering convincing yourself that your now fitter and healthier.

Yes running builds your leg and a few other body muscles up but I could buy a step machine and build them even stronger at home.

So that leaves your heart and lungs, ofc your heart is beating fast when you run, is this a good thing does it make you healthier, it certainly gets the blood pumping and I think the red blood count goes up which essentially gives you a high similar to taking drugs. And then there's the lungs, they must be working hard but considering most people don't even breathe properly they breath from the chest and not from the diaphragm then the benefits are debatable.

You can do lung exercises at home with or without a lung exerciser like powerBreathe would this be as beneficial as going out for a run?

So all in all could we get just as 'healthy' at home doing leg and lung exercises as we could going for a run and as a bonus save our joints from wear and tear and potentially arthritis later on. Does running really make us healthier and are runners just seeking that adrenaline and blood count boost. Are we putting at joints at risk running?

Why do you do it, have you been convinced that running makes you healthier and will lengthen your life or are you just an adrenaline junkie?

 

[jsmoke]

Endurance
A few km is a big deal when you start but then you realise you can do a 5km, then you want to try a 10km and so on...the act of running is only half off it imo, the other is mental fortitude and better appreciation of what your body can do and push past. What once felt impossible becomes possible.

The running scene is huge and the constant events drives you to train more. I'm a 'bodybuilder' but I still get out and do a 10km every 2 weeks. It helps me a lot on a physical and mental level.

Sure your impacting body parts but there isn't a single exercise out there that isn't tearing the body down.

Well there's swimming and that's exactly why I took it up a couple of years ago.

 

[jsmoke]

Problem with cycling is that you need much more time to do it. I would say for an equivalent 10 mile run you would have to cycle at least 30 miles. I run 10 miles in about 1hr 12 mins so a cycle would take about 2.5 - 3 hours depending on speed. Having that kind of time after work is not really achievable for me. Luckily for me I cycle to and from work anyway so it's a bonus. It's certainly not a problem at the weekends but during the week it takes to long.

Cycling is very good exercise especially if you are unable to run for various reasons. It's far less stress on your joints but it's the time needed that's the problem for me.

Good point, yes a lot of time to think, can get very boring. Lots of time for negative thoughts.