My friend once told me if you want to run, just grab your sports shoes and start running. Yes, indeed he was right. But on second thought, not everyone is like him. Most people are not motivated to even start exercising. Everyone knows exercise is good for health but to do so, it requires lot of commitment and self discipline.
Is rather sad when you see people around working hard for money or future but neglecting their own health. I did not ask them to give up their work, but at least, spare some time for exercise or run. I believe running is the cheapest exercise you can ever do.
Let us get to work. If you cannot find a reason to even grab your shoes and run, my 1st advice for you is to register for a running event.
Why?!!
Commitment
You need to commit yourself to run. You paid for a certain amount to join a run. You need to have a skin in the game. When you pay for something, you will be more committed (because it is not free). Psychologically, you will feel at loss (monetary) if you miss the run that you have registered.
Environment
If you belong to the category where you need people to push you to take a step further, that is meant you cannot do thing alone. You need the crowd or environment to push you to run. Running event suit you well here. When you run alone at the park, you are running at your own pace and is very hard to push beyond your limit. I strongly agree that it is easier to run a 10KM distance in a running event than running alone in the park.
Bonding
Running can be a family or friends outing. You can easily spot parents running together with their smaller kids in running event. Of cause, do not forget, the group of friends taking selfie after completing the run. Rather than spending time shopping together, now you can run together. Isn't it hitting two birds with one stone? Spending quality time with your family and running for good health.
For newbie, just grab one or two friends in your group who are heath conscious, and start registering for a run. Sooner or later, more friends will join you. Maybe if you are lucky, you will bump into some old friends during the running event and start bonding. Why not considering making friend with the stranger who run beside you?
Safety
I truly believe one of the concerns when you plan to exercise or run outdoor will be your own safety. I must admit it that running outdoor alone is not safe in my country. I'm pretty sure that you came across local newspaper reporting robbery during running or hiking session. Another issue will be your safety during a run. I bet you do not want to risk your life running beside moving vehicles.
Generally, running event organiser will cooperate with local council and enforcers to close roads and diverse the traffic to other routes to ensure the safety of runners on the running course. It is much safer because you will be running on the road or highway without vehicles.
Goodies
Hands up if you think it is good to get more than what you are paying for. Yes, you are right. Normally, registering for a running event will entitle you for a running vest or T-shirt and bib number during race pack collection. During the race day, you will get more goodies such as coupons, discount vouchers or freebies after you cross the finish line. Those goodies are generally from the sponsors of the running event which are sometimes quite useful. Some bigger running events even hold a lucky draw session after the run. IJM Land Run is one of them.
Let me name a few type of goodies:
- Discount voucher for sports equipment
- Free trial to fitness centre
- Sampling of health drinks
To sum up, I believe there are more reasons for individual to join a running event. These are just some reasoning based on my opinion. I hope it will inspire some of you to start living a balance healthy lifestyle and registering for the upcoming running events. Hope to see you all.
Lastly, just want to some meaningful quotes with you all.
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