BGH Find Your Strength races set for June 21

Shortly I’ll give you a multitude of benefits of running and jogging. But first, a message from my sponsor! Bonner General Health’s Find Your Strength 5K and 1K Fun Run is scheduled for Saturday, June 21. The races start and end at City Beach with a beautiful run along the Sand Creek Trail in the middle. 

Check in and registration is held Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m. and again at 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the event. The 5K starts at 10 a.m., the 1K starts at 11 a.m. and the after party which will include face painting and bounce house for the kiddos and activities for the grown ones, will end around 1 p.m. For more information, go to www.bonnergeneral.org/find-your-strength. You can also register online while you’re there.

Why should you participate? Beyond becoming a super-hero by attending this fundraiser for BGH Foundation, over the long-term you’ll see improvement in both physical and mental health in yourself and your family. 

“Running, or jogging, is one of the best cardio exercises you can do,” they say. “Running for at least 10 minutes a day can significantly lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. Runners lower their chances of dying from heart disease by half.”

How does that work? Well, running strengthens heart function and increases circulation. It strengthens the heart muscle and lowers blood pressure. www.Sportscoverdirect.com says that “regular running helps reduce the risk of heart disease by promoting healthy blood vessels, efficient blood flow, and favorable cholesterol levels.”

Please note: If you’re curious as to who Sportscoverdirect is, they’re an insurance company in the U.K. But I really liked their advice, which like mine, should always be verified by your primary care provider.

They list weight management as another positive benefit. Obviously burning calories and boosting your metabolism aids weight control. Plus, running also engages multiple muscle groups, contributing to fat loss and the development of lean muscle mass.

Running also improves bone and joint health. WebMD sites a study of 675 marathon runners that found that they had lower arthritis rates than other people. “The runners’ knees and backs were both positively affected. The more you run, the lower your odds of back problems as you age.”

WebMD also says that running can improve your memory by boosting the size of your hippocampus and can trigger your immune system, so you catch fewer colds. They also say it can help you sleep better. “Aerobic exercise triggers a release of endorphins, chemicals that help relieve pain or stress that can affect your sleep habits.”

And, while talking about those endorphins, Sportscoverdirect calls them “the body’s natural mood enhancers. These neurotransmitters create a sense of euphoria. Additionally, the meditative aspects of running contribute to the mindfulness, helping to alleviate negative thoughts and promote a positive mental state.”

Before you jump out of your chair and start running around the block to get ready for Find Your Strength, please talk to your primary care provider. This is something you should always do before starting any exercise program.

Now that you have a goal and eighteen days to get ready, make a plan. Start slowly. Be sure you have properly fitting shoes and socks. Start with a mix of running and walking. Combine your running program with other forms of exercise for variety. And WebMD suggests running with a friend. That way you’ll stick to that plan you just made.

While you’re training, be sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet. And I’ll warn you, don’t run right after eating. Drink plenty of water before, during and after the run, and take regular breaks to let your body rest.

On race day, eat a light breakfast, give yourself plenty of time to find parking, do warm-up exercises about 15 minutes before the start and try to line up with people who will run at the same pace, so you don’t use up all your energy in the first 50 feet.

If you find that you’re more comfortable walking, or doing a combo of running, jogging and walking at Find Your Strength, by all means do it. Participating is the best part, and my best advice is to have fun! Bring a friend! Make it a health party.

Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.