Some people seem to really hate running. Maybe they’re remembering a bad childhood experience—the dreaded gym-class mile!—or they have a coworker who won’t shut up about the race he ran last month. Or perhaps they just hate us ’cause they ain’t us: it must be hard to feel like exercise is a chore to be avoided instead of the delight we know it to be. Still, a snarky retort (“No, running will ruin YOUR knees!”) isn’t the best way to convert skeptics. Use this information to craft a diplomatic reply to four common critiques.
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Numerous studies show that runners have healthier bones and joints than their nonrunning peers. You’re more likely to develop arthritis if you’re a sedentary person carrying extra weight.
RELATED: Here’s More Evidence That Running Doesn’t Ruin Your Knees
Go to the finish line of any running event and you’ll see all body types. Runners of every shape and size can safely log miles by alternating between running periods and walk breaks.
The original marathoners in the 1896 Olympic Games took walk breaks. As long as you’re using your muscles and raising your heart rate, you’ll enjoy physical benefits—and the endorphins.
Maybe if you run the same routes at the same effort level day after day. Exploring new parks, trying new workouts, and joining different group runs are all ways to keep a routine feeling fresh.
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Jeff Galloway is a 10,000-meter Olympian and well-known coach who promotes the run-walk method.
