Off and running
By Amy Brown-Bowers • Bankrate.com
Doug Flis has a collage of photos near his cash register. These images of sweaty, exhausted and triumphant runners who have
thrived under his skilled coaching make up his bragging wall.
Many of the photos are of couch-potatoes-turned-runners, and the pride Flis takes in their accomplishments is evident. "Running
changes your life," says Flis, trainer and owner of the Runner's Den in Grimsby, Ont.
Aside from the obvious physical benefits like weight loss and cardiovascular improvement, there are many psychological and
cognitive benefits that come with becoming a runner.
"Anybody who runs or exercises on a regular basis will tell you the mental empowerment that comes from it, the sense of
confidence. You sleep better, you handle stress better, your cognitive skills are better," says John Stanton, founder of the
Running Room.
Add to that the low cost of getting into the sport -- you need minimal equipment and don't require costly facilities or
gym memberships -- and you have a killer combination. If you have thought about becoming a runner but feared failure, embarrassment or
injury, here is some information on how to take the first few steps.
Runners come in all shapes and sizes
"The single biggest hurdle that everybody has is fear of embarrassment,"
Stanton says. "Most people take up exercise for weight control.
Or it's because they've been away from fitness and they may not
be fighting the weight but they may have been a smoker or they might
just be badly out of shape and at first when they go out to try
running ... it's that fear of embarrassment that people are laughing
at them," he adds.
Flis also finds that weight is a big barrier for would-be runners. People see long, lean runners in the neighbourhood and
feel too heavy to take it up themselves. In the beginner clinics Flis offers, he stands up in front of the members and asks them, "Do you
know what a runner looks like?" They all look at him and he says, "Don't look at me -- look at the person beside you."
|
