Page 34 - Magazine - 26-5-2022.cdr

HEALTH

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MARATHON RUNNING:

WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A MARATHON RUNNER

1. You will become a calorie burning machine
For most people, the biggest reason why they start training for marathons is to become fitter. If you feel
unmotivated by the confining walls of your gym, running in the open air can be just the fix you need. Running a
marathon can burn up to 2,600 calories in a single race! Training for a marathon can be strenuous, but when you
have beautiful views surrounding you, it becomes a lot easier to bear.
2. Your diet will begin to improve
Preparing to run a marathon makes you more mindful of your body and what you put into it. Since you’re burning
so many calories, you need to ensure that you are filling up on healthy fuel. Eating healthy will start becoming
less of a challenge when you begin to learn more about the nutrients in food and how it will help you during your
run. As you become more conscious of the food you eat, it will seem only natural to refuse junk food and reach out
for fruits instead. In this way, the benefits of marathon running are more than just physical; they have a holistic
impact on your health.
3. You will lower your risk of heart disease
On the outside, it might seem like it’s your legs that are doing most of the work when you train for a marathon, but
your heart is working just as hard! Since your heart needs to beat faster to pump oxygen through your body while
you run, it becomes stronger. This can significantly lower the risk of a heart attack, reduce blood pressure, bring
down cholesterol levels and improve your overall cardiac health. Enhancing your long-term health is one of the
most important long-distance running benefits.

4. You will become more motivated
Running a marathon can be very rigorous, but ultimately, it’s your determination and will-power that will get you
to the finish line. Marathon runners are ready to tackle challenges head-on and have a never-say-never
approach to life. They also have to stay disciplined as sticking to a healthy diet, and a training plan requires
determination. As you begin training for a marathon, you might also notice that you are more focused and
productive at work. The benefits of running a marathon don’t just end when you complete the race but continue to
be translated into every aspect of your life.

5. It’s a great way to build your confidence
While many sign-up for a marathon, few can reach the finish line. When you are one of the select few to complete
a marathon, you will begin to feel like you can cross almost any obstacle that life throws at you. This can make you
more assertive at work, self-confident about your decisions and charged with positive energy to complete any
goal you set for yourself.
6. You can become a happier person
One of the benefits of long-distance running is that it can be very therapeutic, especially if you lead a highly
stressful lifestyle. Exercise leads to a surge of endorphins, the ‘feel-good hormones’, in your body. Therefore,
even after running long distances, at the end of the marathon, you feel elated instead of drained. Also, training for
a marathon every day can make you happy and calm. Getting some time to yourself while you run can help you
rethink your priorities and reduce the effects of stress in your life. Some studies have found that running long
distances, such as marathons, can also alleviate the symptoms of depression.

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