Running has quickly taken over social media and become an integral part of pop-culture as more young people and specifically members of Gen Z are taking charge of their physiological health and putting on more miles than ever before. Part of this generational shift has to do with a post-pandemic boom in people striving towards getting outdoors and living an active lifestyle, with physical activities including running.
With decades of research backing the benefits of physical activity, now more than ever it is at the forefront of our current generations’ minds to take care of their bodies and make a conscious effort to stay active. Running has become a highly effective and efficient way for college students and young adults to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. In fact, it has been scientifically proven that as little as just 5-10 minutes of daily, moderate intensity running can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes, and early death. Making it no surprise that one of the most health-conscious generations in recent memory is lacing up their shoes and flocking outdoors in waves.
Moreover, another intrinsic benefit of running that goes beyond the overwhelming positive physiological changes such as increased bone density, muscle mass, and improved cardiovascular health is the social aspect of running with others. Every year more individuals are striving to challenge themselves and registering for either a 5K, half-marathon, or full marathon event that takes place within their local community.
University of North Dakota students are no exception. I have encountered countless individuals who have made incorporating cardio part of their fitness routines and are actively training for the Fargo Half-Marathon this spring.
Ashton Lipinski, a fourth-year university student is one of the individuals that make up this demographic and states, “I signed up for the Fargo Half-Marathon to help improve my physical well-being and improve my mental discipline.” It takes a conscious effort to get up multiple times a week and train. Lipinski went on to add, that on top of the strenuous individual effort of holding himself accountable, it is equally as important that he is not going through this process alone as he regularly trains with some of his closest friends who are also striving towards accomplishing the same goal this upcoming year. This highlights the growing social aspect of running as well, as it is a relatively low cost and easily accessible hobby that does not discriminate.
If you yourself are thinking about picking up running, that does not necessarily mean that you need to go ahead and impulsively sign up for a full marathon right away as this is both an incredibly daunting and potentially intangible task. However, a great place to start would be to invest in a good pair of running sneakers that are built to last and potentially signing up for a smaller and more tangible short-term goal, whether that is running on the treadmill for thirty minutes straight or even just registering for a 5K and competing against yourself.
The key takeaway being, within the realm of running and physiological fitness, we all must start somewhere, and it is never too late to potentially try something new and push yourself past physical boundaries you never knew were possible. Helping boost self-esteem, self-discipline, and most importantly potentially building an exciting new routine into your life that you can carry with you for as long as you live.
Daniel Silva is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at daniel.a.[email protected].
