FITNESS
BORN to RUN
IT HELPS TO BUILD STRONG BONES, STRENGTHEN MUSCLES, IMPROVE CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS AND BURNS PLENTY OF KILOJOULES. BUT HOW TO GET RUNNING CAN BE A DAUNTING PROSPECT – MARATHON WOMAN ERICA KING TELLS HOW
By JENNI GILBERT In the previous issue of Thrive, Erica King wrote about how, in 2002, working dozens of hours a week at her dental consulting business and “feeling overweight and tired at 38”, she wanted to find new meaning in her life. She decided she needed a new challenge and – as you do! – picked training for and running the New York Marathon, even though she was not a runner. Nine life-changing months later, she achieved her goal. As a “complete non-runner” at the outset, Erica couldn’t do 100 metres without puffing. It took her nine months to go from zero to crossing that finish line in New York. There are myriad health benefits of running and jogging: they help to build strong bones, as they are weight-bearing exercise, strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular fitness and burn plenty of kilojoules. But getting started - and to keep going - can be a daunting prospect.
14 | THRIVE #3
ERICA'S TIPS FOR GETTING ON THE RIGHT TRACK: If you have always wanted to be a runner and incorporate this into your weekly fitness routine here are some winning strategies that will make all the difference for you to achieve this super-life-enhancing goal. Running is such an efficient and effective fitness strategy. The time outside with just your thoughts or some favourite tunes is absolutely invigorating. My number one tip is to take it slowly. Stop when you feel “puffed” and never be hard on yourself because you will be a runner with patience and kindness to your body and soul. The run/walk approach will transform you into a runner in matter of weeks.
