Exercise Measured In Effort, Not Miles

by John Corbett

It happens several times each week. Someone will come in our store to be fit for shoes and tell me they are “only a walker.” The way they say it indicates that they expect me to treat them poorly because they don’t run. Others will come in and say “I’m not really a runner” or, “I’m not fast, I’m just a jogger.” So what is it with the “onlys” and “justs” and “not really’s”? Why do we feel compelled to be so self-deprecating when describing our chosen form of exercise?

I did exactly the same thing when I started running 13 years ago. I started walking and slowly added some running to my walks until I could run for 30 minutes. I was embarrassed to call what I did running. I called it jogging because I did not think I was a runner. I was wrong. When asked about my weekly mileage at our local running store I told them I was running 25-30 miles per week-- I was really doing less than 10. I had read somewhere that “real runners” were running at least 30 miles per week, and thought people would think less of me for “only” doing 10. I was wrong about that too.

As far as I am concerned if you walk for exercise you should be commended for what you are doing. If you run, at any pace and for any distance, you are a runner. Fast or slow does not matter. What matters to me and what should matter to you is effort. If you make the effort to get out the door to pursue a fitness goal that is meaningful to you, then you should be proud of what you are doing!

The late Dr. George Sheehan was a cardiologist, the medical editor for Runner’s World Magazine and a long time runner. At a speaking engagement years ago Dr. Sheehan was asked his opinion on the best form of exercise. The crowd was mostly runners, and they fully expected him to answer “running.” Dr. Sheehan surprised a lot of people when he answered, “The best form of exercise is whichever one you will do.” Dr. Sheehan understood that moving our bodies is what is important. We are much more likely to continue to exercise if we do what we enjoy, rather than what is prescribed.

If you read last month’s column, you read about finding the joy in exercise. I would encourage you to find what you enjoy and make it a regular part of your life whether it’s swimming, hiking, running biking or walking. If you are a walker, walk with pride. If you run, focus on a pace and distance that works for you and be proud of your effort. Combining walking and running together in the same workout is great exercise and decreases the risk of injury compared to continuous running. Celebrate each opportunity that you have to get out and get moving. With each step you will be that much farther from where you are and one step closer to where you want to be.

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Aricles:

Who Are Your Running Heroes? - Are You A "Real" Runner? - Exercise Measured In Effort, Not Miles - Finding your relationship with exercise - Inspiration