The practice of running has been gaining a lot of ground in Brazil and around the world, all for the reason that to run you only need two elements: tennis shoes and willpower. However, we will see today that it is not just about that, but that other fundamentals are necessary to practice this sport.
The Origin
The origins of running date back to prehistoric times, when many men needed to move quickly in order to hunt or escape predators. Historically, the most famous race was the one that gave rise to the race we know today as the marathon: in 490 BC. It all started with a man who was responsible for bringing the news to Athens that the Greeks had defeated the Persians in the battle of Marathon. However, the man ran 35 kilometers, and when he gave the news, he fell to the ground, already dead. Obviously, this is all just a legend, and there is no historical evidence that this actually happened, but the fact is that this legend drove the inclusion of the marathon race in the first edition of the modern Olympic Games, in 1896.
Running events today are part of the athletics discipline and are divided into speed and endurance events. There are also speed events, which are explosive events that involve running a short distance in the shortest possible time. Endurance events are characterized by being medium and long distances, so that the physical endurance of athletes is tested. Sprint events are those in which athletes must run up to 400 meters; middle-distance events are between 800 and 1,500 meters; and long-distance events range from 3,000 meters to the marathon, reaching their limit in the ultramarathon.
We all treat running as a competitive sport, but it is also a great physical activity, and people who practice it aim to improve both their mental and physical health. We will now talk about this type of race:
In 1980, Kenneth Cooper's ideas about slow running became popular, and became known as jogging. Many people adopted this practice, but the idea that everyone should run the same distance, regardless of their physical condition, soon became outdated. However, we now know that practicing any physical activity is very necessary, so be aware of your physical fitness:
We can say that if a sedentary person wants to start running, they should always go through a transition period of moderate walking, then intense walking, until they start jogging. It is also possible to alternate intense walking and jogging, until their cardiorespiratory capacity is sufficient for moderate or even intense running.
We know that running helps control body mass, which helps maintain diabetes control, and thus helps reduce your emotional problems. However, those who run end up having a very intense impact on their knees. Therefore, if you want to minimize this impact, you need to use shoes with good cushioning and not be too overweight. Overweight increases the impact on the joint.
Finally, it is necessary to consult a cardiologist before starting to practice, in order to check for heart problems. This is because running is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, among other conditions. Therefore, always consult a cardiologist before starting to practice running.