7 Reasons to Up Your Running Game

The Profeet Team are here to help you discover, or rediscover, that all-important buzz for running and give you the motivation to run.

And, as we near the end of February and can almost touch the beginning of Springtime and lighter evenings from the start of March, what better excuse to lace up your runners.

Remember, check back into the Profeet website and our social channels regularly as we publish much more content in the build-up to events season, which includes the prestigious Threshold Trail Series.

So, without further ado, here are seven reasons why you should up your running game.

1: Have a goal in mind

Getting active and outdoors with your running shoes can often prove to be the catalyst towards reaching a short or long-term fitness target.

By setting a race date in your diary or even pledging to join local running group activities, you are working towards the desired outcome.

Having that reason to get out of bed early and run, or squeeze in a run before dinner and an evening out, is easier to do when you’re working towards something – such as training for an important event.

2: Mental Health

Running can have a really positive impact on your mental health, from reducing stress and the pressures of work and personal life; to giving you precious thinking time away from your phone screen and the endless scroll of social media updates.

It is thought that cardiovascular exercise and endurance-based activities also boost brain power; and as a result, improve one’s thought-process and decision-making ability.

Whether it’s a short or long run, a run will trigger positive endorphins in your body and put you in the right mind frame to tackle everything else with confidence!

3: Sharing your progress

The opportunities to post about your running journey, progress or activity are endless.

Apps such as Strava or Nike allow you to accurately record your runs and keep track of your performance, as well as analyse data such as your heart rate.

On top of that, from a Strava Flyby to a Segment hunt, running apps are superb ways to engage with the running community and share experiences with family, friends and colleagues.

Equally, from there, you have running updates and content to post to your wider social media channels, such as Facebook and Instagram, which can help showcase your training regime. This can be particularly useful if you’re running for charity and want to push charitable donations.

4: Extend your social circles

Running, perhaps unfairly, sometimes gets the tag of being an individual and lonely sport. There is an element of truth to that, especially for more advanced runners who spend a lot of time training alone but, in general, it’s one of the most inclusive sports going.

Take Park Run, for instance. Head along to your local 5km on Saturday morning to meet fellow runners or why not link-up with your local running group?

There are endless possibilities to run with others while the thrill of race day should never leave you feeling lonely.

Oh, and if you see another runner out there – it doesn’t hurt to say hi!

5: Create a new lifestyle

Make running a way of life and not necessarily a chore or irregular activity.

Use your new-found love for the sport to impact on other areas of your life, from your diet to overall diary management.

Running doesn’t have to change you being you but by making a few tweaks here and there, it gives you the best possible chance to achieve the best outcomes.

Most importantly, though, just enjoy it.

6: One foot in front of the other, but don’t expect results too quickly

Running is a marathon, not a sprint, as clichéd as it sounds.

It’s also cliché to say it’s all about the process, but it is.

7: Embrace the highs, the lows and all the experiences you gather along the way.

Contributed by our specialist writer: Stuart Appleby