Free Running for Beginners: The Easiest Way to Start Running by Simon Adams Page A

have more energy, but you won’t believe it until you’re doing it yourself. You will feel physically and mentally more alert and ready to face the challenges that life can throw at you.
     
     
     
    4. Running is the cheapest way to get fit.
     
    All I bought to start running was a pair of running trainers.

Running is cheap to start – I’ll cover equipment in a later chapter, but the only items you will need to buy are; a good pair of running trainers, a pair of running socks and if you are a lady, a running bra. Running is the one of the cheapest sports you can take part in, and what’s more, you don’t need to sign up to any expensive monthly gym membership schemes.
     
     
     
    5. Running can be done anywhere.
     
    I have run all over the world on holiday, on business trips and staying at friends and relatives.
     
    Whether you are a frequent traveller, live in the city or live in the countryside, you can run. It is the only sport that can be done anywhere. Running doesn’t rely on machines or a specific environment (like swimming), all you need to take with you is a pair of running trainers. This is why running is one of the best ways to keep fit – there is simply no excuse for not going out running.
     
     
     
    6. Running is incredibly time efficient.
     
    I have a busy life and I wanted to get fit and stay fit without a fitness regime taking over my life – running has allowed me to do that.
     
    Running is the fastest way to get fit, lose weight and maintain your weight. Running burns more calories in less time than any other sport so you can spend less time exercising and more time living. Being able to exercise for shorter periods of time makes it easier to fit it into your lifestyle. Whether you want to run before work, in your lunchtime or when you get home, you can always fit in a short run in.
     
     
     
    7. Running allows you to see new places, people and wildlife.
     
    I’ve seen more wildlife and unusual things in one week of running than three years at a gym.

Running allows you to take in the countryside and area that you live in; you will see people that you don’t normally see and wildlife that you definitely wouldn’t see if you were in a car. Places always look different when you’re on foot and it’s refreshing to see your surroundings in a different light.
     
     
     
    8. Running increases your mental endurance.
     
    Since I have been running I have found that my ability to concentrate has increased significantly.
     
    After you have been running consistently for more than six months you will find that running has far more to do with mental endurance than physical endurance. Your body will follow whatever your mind tells it to do. This ‘mind training’ overflows into other areas of your life and you will find it much easier to concentrate on tasks that previously you found testing or tedious.
     
     
     
    9. Running will help to reduce your stress levels.

If I’ve had a stressful day at work, on returning home, before I even sit in the sofa, I’ll go out for a run and I know that I’ll have a more relaxing evening.

If you’ve had a stressful day you will find that going out for a run will de-stress you -regardless of how far you go. It’s a drug free way to manage stress levels which has many other benefits too.
     
     
     
    10. Running will help to boost your immune system.

I used to get colds or some other form of illness every four or five months. Since I have been running regularly, I would estimate that now it’s only every 18 months to two years.

I’m not too sure why this is and I’m not sure that anybody else knows either, but research has shown that there is a definite link between running regularly and a better immune system. I can vouch for this as I’m rarely ill now.
     

Why do you want to run?
    When you’re beginning to learn anything, it’s important to recognise and remind yourself of the reasons why you want to do it. I started running because