There’s no denying that running is having a major moment on social media right now. The ‘running’ hashtag has over 225 million views on TikTok, while searches for ‘how to start running’ had risen by 50 per cent by the end of 2023. We’re all well-versed in the countless benefits of running, too — such as de-stressing and boosting brain function.
Although running may be all the rage at the moment, a new study has revealed the disconcerting reason why some of us choose not to engage in this heart-pumping form of cardio. The study, released by SportsShoes.com, found that over half of the UK population (53 per cent) never or rarely run, while one in 10 people don’t engage in this form of exercise because they think they’re too overweight to do so — or they’re embarrassed for other people to see them run.
How to start running confidently
Running specialist physiotherapist Hollie Maskell explains that running doesn’t have to be daunting — the process of getting into running is a marathon, not a sprint, and it can take some warming up to.
‘Anyone can become “fit” at running! It’s about building up the miles in your legs slowly and building your cardiovascular fitness over time,’ she explains. ‘In fact, running slowly is actually very beneficial, rather than running really fast, as it reduces the risk of becoming injured. Start small, and gradually increase your goals — it’s not a race.’
According to runner Ben Mounsey, running doesn’t look the same for everybody. While your friends might be limbering up for a marathon or braving lone runs every day of the week, it’s more than okay to tailor your runs to your unique health and fitness needs. Maybe that means working towards a Couch to 5k, or meeting a group of like-minded people at one of the UK’s many run clubs.
‘Whether it’s running your first 5k, achieving a new half marathon PB or losing weight, challenge yourself with a 2024 milestone that works for your aims,’ Mounsey explains. ‘Focusing on your ultimate goals will help structure your running, and will give you that extra bit of willpower to keep going when the going gets tough. Keep your target realistic and set small achievable interim goals to keep up your motivation.’
The more you run, the less scary it will inevitably become. ‘Make training sessions an ingrained part of your lifestyle or social activity by running with friends, joining a running club, or even making parkrun a regular Saturday morning fixture,’ Mounsey advises. ‘No matter your size or how embarrassing you may find running (either alone or in front of others), your confidence will build with time.’
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