Smart Woman: Rules of Running
By: Lane Stone & Nathan Hale
Updated: July 12, 2010
Running five miles a day will burn an extra 500 calories
… but the benefits of running include much more than a shift in the scale.
Some people run to get away from it all and clear their minds, but the benefits of running don't stop there. The sport may also be part of the equation for a long life. Stanford university researchers found middle-aged runners are half as likely to die from fatal illnesses like cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.
The key to a successful run could be in your feet. 350 used to be the magic mile
marker before purchasing new running shoes, but you may want to toss your pair out even sooner. Researchers recently found cushioning in running shoes starts to break down after just 200 miles, causing your foot stride to change. Sneakers especially wear out if you run on pavement.
Soon, you could be tossing those shoes altogether. The latest fitness trend is running barefoot. A recent study shows running shoes put 30% more strain
on knee joints than running barefoot -- putting you at risk for osteoarthritis.
Iowa state researchers found when runners shortened their stride length by 10%, their risk of bone damage dropped 33%. To reduce your stride, count the number of steps you take in a specific time period and then work to increase that
number by 10%.
