Run like you mean it

Scott Schwab

When starting a running routine it is good to just stay with one pace and get used to the exercise. Running is phenomenal for the heart and the body. It is one exercise that will always keep your heart rate up and strengthen your body from the inside out. See your heart rate determines a lot of how you feel. Your resting heart rate is a good determination of how healthy you are. Your heart is a muscle; as we all know, however, I don't think many of us spend a lot of time strengthening our hearts. The harder that a heart has to work, the more tired you can be during your day. If it is exercise for you to simply walk up the stairs, we need to make some changes. You may not want to start running, if you have not been walking. The main point is to get your heart rate up and do it for about 30 minutes. This will give enough time for your heart to get the blood pumping and strengthen the essential muscle that determines life. My suggestion for today is to push yourself as hard as you can. Set your time at 30 minutes and then do not take a break until the end of the 30 minutes. This can be applied to lifting as well and cycling through your different exercises. The key is to keep going, even if you are tired and think you can't go any further, slow down, don't stop. For all you runners out there, this may be an old trick, but I have found that when I am running and have obtained a comfortable pace, I will choose a point in my run and sprint to that point. I then return to my pace or pick it up a little bit. The important thing is to continue to change your pace throughout the run. It will work your heart differently and make it work a little harder than the relaxing run. Now this may not be the best idea if you are training for a marathon. With training for a marathon you want to establish consistency and pace for the long haul. However, if you are just running to do cardio, you can change it up and intensify your workout and strengthen your entire body from the inside out. Let me know your thoughts and points on how to improve the workout. Have a great weekend.