Running for the win

It’s probably the toughest run you’ll ever do; until you finish your next triathlon. The run leg comes at the moment when you’re most exhausted and desperate for the finish line. It’s also because the run comes at the end of your triathlon that training well is of the utmost priority. Luckily, running has so many health benefits that you’ll soon learn to enjoy the challenge.

It’s an all over, full body workout

Running is one of the best forms of aerobic activity that improves the physical condition of your heart, lungs, and lean muscle tissue. It causes your heart to pump litres of blood through your system, rejuvenating your entire body. Running has such an impact on your body that it even helps to alleviate symptoms of mental illness such as stress or depression.. Running has an added benefit though. It helps to keep your bones strong. While swimming and cycling are easier on your bones and joints, running’s weight-bearing aspects help to increase bone density. That’s not to say that running isn’t good for your joints. In fact, if speed and distance are added carefully, running can strengthen knees, hips, and ankles. This is always a plus as these joints can become problematic in single discipline sports.

It helps shed extra weight

The massively aerobic aspect of running does help to burn calories and will help you to eventually drop some centimetres. But the real advantage of running for weight loss is that also it also helps to build muscle which is a very energy hungry process, helping you burn calories long after you finish exercising.

It strengthens the muscles you need for other sports

Running builds muscle in your legs, it helps tone muscle, strengthens your heart muscle, and improves endurance. All of these help you to be a better swimmer and cyclist. The strength that running builds in your legs helps to propel you more strongly during your swim and the core and leg strength gained from running can greatly improve your cycling strength. In short, the more you train your running, the stronger your other two disciplines will be.

Running also has significant social benefits. As Ceejae Miller, Biokineticist and triathlete says, it’s easier to get up to train at 5am if you have a group or club counting on your participation. The camaraderie of a group training session has the potential to push your running to even greater heights.

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