The Growing Popularity of Running

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popularity
More and more people around the world are discovering how awesome running is for coping with stress, losing weight, staying fit, and finding new purpose in life.

Should we be surprised?

We marathoners have known all along how running can bring satisfaction to life in even the toughest times.

But now it seems our little secret is getting out!

According to an article in the Seattle Times

26.5 million people in the US run at least 50 days out of the year
16.4 million people in the US run at least 100 days out of the year
and 39.8 million running shoes were sold in 2009 in the US alone
529 marathons take place around the world every year (numbers are approximate)

Even in a global recession the running industry has continued to grow. Dave Willey, editor of Runner’s World Magazine was quoted as saying,

Running appears to be not recession-proof, but at least it’s recession-resistant . . .People tend to focus on things they can control, and they want to get healthier, so they start running more.

So, unless you’re a person who loves statistics, what does this mean for you? I found the figures from 2009 exciting for several reasons:

  1. There is no time like the present to get in shape and train for a marathon.
  2. You do have what it takes to run a marathon. Anyone can be a runner. Just get a good pair of running shoes, get outside, and go for it. If you’re a beginner check out our couch to 5k plan.
  3. Training for and running a marathon will benefit you in many areas of life. The discipline
    and determination needed will carry over into other challenges you face.

So what are you waiting for?

You may not have control over your family, job options, income, or other areas of your life, but you can find success in improving your health and reaching goals.

We can’t choose our parents, the body we’re given, and many of the challenges we face, but we can choose how we deal with these issues.

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it.


Also Mentioned in This Episode

www.halfmarathons.net a good place to find a half marathon near you!

Happy Running!


5 Responses to The Growing Popularity of Running

  1. Trevor July 31, 2010 at 10:52 pm #

    So what do you think?

  2. Ben August 2, 2010 at 8:32 am #

    I listened to this podcast while I ran this morning and I really enjoyed it. I have run through financial problems, family problems, school problems, etc., and I always feel better about any situation after I run. Running may not solve our problems but it sure helps us deal with them. Trevor, I hope you and Angie at least give some thought to the Mardi Gras Marathon/Half in New Orleans in February. I did the half this year and it was a great time. Thanks for the podcasts and keep up the great work.

  3. Angie August 2, 2010 at 12:54 pm #

    I’m glad that you’ve found running to be a postive way to deal with stress too. We will definitey keep the Mardi Gras Marathon in mind. Thanks Ben!

  4. Stephanie August 7, 2010 at 10:00 am #

    I just wanted to say that my fiance and I are working through the 20 weeks to a 5k right now. We are on week 8. At the beginning we could barely run for 1 minute but that has changed drastically. We’ve also lost some weight and feel like we have more energy for the day. We absolutely love it. Subsequently our dogs love it too since they are really athletic. Speaking of being athletic, we were both very athletic throughout childhood into our teens and even somewhat in college. He was a swimmer and basketball player mainly and I was a gymnast. I think we got into a rut and didn’t really know how to be active without being involved in an organized sport. I don’t know if that makes any sense, but maybe it’s just that going to a gym and getting on an eliptical machine doesn’t cut it for us. We’ve never been runners before but now we love it so much we find that we are disappointed on our cross-training days. We actually WANT to run, which I never thought we would say. This has really given us a new outlook on our life and I think it’s actually made us happier, as individuals and as a couple. Not a bad way to start off marriage.

  5. Angie August 8, 2010 at 9:30 pm #

    Stephanie, it’s so exciting to hear that you and your fiance have started your running journey. What a wonderful way to begin your life together! Keep up the great work.

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