I grew up playing soccer, and running was our punishment, so running for fun never felt like a sane thing to do. But then I joined the track team in high school and slowly fell in love with running, and I’ve never looked back! When I run, I feel better overall. It might take a little push to get me out the door, but I never regret a run once I’m done.
There are no guidelines for what makes someone a runner. Whether you run three or 20 miles weekly, you’re still a runner. And even though ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s rolling hills might seem intimidating, the uphill battle is worth the view.
Why Run?
It’s Quick
With most students contending with busy schedules, running is a great way to squeeze in some exercise since it provides a relatively short, high-quality workout. Walk out your door and return in 30 minutes, possibly with three miles on your legs!
It Can Help Clear Your Mind
As students, we are constantly being asked to focus in class or on the homework due. But when you are on a run, your mind can wander freely, and you have time to think through an upcoming class, project or assignment, or you can just let your mind go completely blank. It’s like a breath of fresh air stepping away from all the noise surrounding you all day!
It Can Relieve Stress
a famous running brand, running can help you refocus and improve mental health. Running has taught me to better deal with stress. Often, when I finish a run, the thing stressing me out before my run doesn’t seem that big of a deal after all. You start to feel invincible and gain confidence in yourself. Running builds up your mental resilience when you push yourself to go on the run and then push through the run until the end. You gain perspective, and it helps you slow down to be more in the moment. So, when life picks up, you are more likely to have a lower stress response!
It Can Help You Sleep Better
Let’s be honest: between homework, projects, studying and socializing, we don’t always get enough sleep when we’re in college. But sleep is critical for mental health, and running helps you sleep better! , a higher activity level is one of the best ways to improve your sleep. Your body will sense you did a strenuous workout, and suddenly, a 10:30 p.m. bedtime doesn’t sound so bad.
Run With a Crew
If learning about the benefits of running has you wanting to tie on your sneakers and hit the streets, consider checking out the Club Running team this semester! The welcomes students at all levels. The club meets Monday through Thursday for the majority of the school year. This relaxed atmosphere does not require you to attend all practices, although running is about consistency!
It won’t take long to learn an entirely new version of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ; running gets you exploring areas in town you might have never wondered about. The club usually meets at Skytop Track and runs different routes throughout the city.
Last school year, Running Club members attended cross country and indoor/outdoor track meets. The club offers both, whether you want to run cross country in the fall or track in the spring. Club members participated in a variety of track events, including hurdles, mid-distance and long-distance.
Running with a group comes with so many benefits. You get a built-in cheering squad that helps motivate you. Your limits are pushed that you might not feel you could do alone. You will also be motivated to focus on running when surrounded by people with similar interests who will help you stay accountable.
Interested students are encouraged to email syracuserunclub@gmail.com or to get involved, as well as ! You can join whenever you want throughout the academic year, but you could kick off the school year on the right foot by getting involved ASAP!
Written By Emily Rutkowski G’25, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications