Mens sana in corpore sano

I did it, the second Start to Run, 10 km in 30 lessons is over.

I started the first series "Start to Run*, from 0 to 5 km" when I was in Kenya, then started and almost finished the second series, "Keep Running, from 5 to 10 km", but I stopped running. Since I am in Montenegro I started the second series again.

And now it is over, I will have to look for a new challenge.

In those past 10 weeks I received an incredible amount of tips of Evy Gruyaert about running shoes, heart rate monitors and nutrition, training and resting, about injuries and precautions ...

To avoid to stress my body too much, I get up at 6 am, around 6:15 am I am ready. I start with a bit of warming up to “wake up” my heart and muscles.

6:15 is early, I know, but it is still pleasantly cool. The sun is not yet in the sky, nevertheless I put a cap as at around 7:30, when I am on my way back, she is there! When I am running in the morning, I'm not alone, others in sports outfits and running shoes, sometimes with headphones are trying to keep their bodies fit.

Nothing wrong so far...

However, I do not understand… the running not really stops, it goes on throughout the day.

There is always someone out jogging or running. But the farther the day progresses, the stranger it gets. On the promenade, men run in their mini-swimsuit with overhanging belly. No T-shirt, no cap to protect themselves against the sun. And I have never smelled sun milk. Often they run on sandals, even flip flops or water shoes, on a hard surface: concrete tiles. Very bad for feet, legs and back.

Panting and sweating they run, with red faces and sweat dripping down their bodies. I think some are near to a heart attack.

Is running really so healthy?

---

*“Start to run” is a running program sponsored by the Flemish government. It encourages people to start running. In 30 podcast, to download for free, Evy Gruyaert – a familiar voice – coaches you while she gives tips on how to train, nutrition, sports clothing, running shoes and heart rate… . Two series have been produced: “Start to Run, from 0 to 5 km”, and “keep running, from 5 to 10 km”.