Welcome to the Event Guide for 2018! These pages are packed with every type of race you can imagine. We have traditional running and walking events, as well as trail races and multisport races, such as triathlons. Once you’ve scoured the pages searching for the perfect events for your race calendar this year, we have the right advice to help you run your best on race day.
We are now well into 2018. Maybe you’ve set a goal for this year, and maybe not. Or maybe you set New Year’s Resolutions two months ago and forgot all about them. Well, this guide can get you back on track and help you find the perfect tune-up and goal races for the year.
Many people set goals to run a half marathon or marathon, because pushing the limits of endurance seem like a great way to find out what you’re made of and how much you can endure. Others may be hoping to get faster this year on a key 5K or 10K race. But while running a faster time at a local race or running a longer event than you did before gives you something to be proud of and to brag about, running is really about so much more. It’s not just about fitting into tighter jeans or looking good in shorts, it can change you on the inside as well. Running helps you build self-confidence. While you’re motivating yourself to get in longer miles, you’re also proving to yourself that you are mentally strong and physically fit and ready to tackle other challenges that life throws in your way.
Here are proven reasons why running helps you in more ways than just losing weight.
- Running Reduces Anxiety. According to research, exercise creates new brain cells and an overall pattern of calm in areas of the brain. Our lives can be so hectic and stressful that it’s great to have a coping tool like running to help deal with anxiety. In the United States, more than 40 million adults suffer from periods of anxiety each year.
- Running Creates Happiness. Ever hear of a runner’s high? Running can reduce your stress, improve your mood and make you feel happier. “The link between exercise and mood is pretty strong,” says Michael Otto, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Boston University, in an article for the American Psychological Association. “Usually within five minutes after moderate exercise you get a mood-enhancement effect.” We all have our down days. It’s great to know that going out for a run can help.
- Running Builds Confidence. Whether you’re working up to a mile or you’re training for a marathon, studies show that setting and attaining ambitious goals has an impact on happiness levels, which also raise your confidence. Also, running is typically done outdoors, which is key because studies show that spending time in green spaces both lowers blood pressure and raises self esteem.
- Running Improves Sleep. When you’re exhausted from a workout, you sleep more soundly at night. One study found that people who get 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week had a 65 percent improvement in sleep quality and felt more alert during the day. And hey, we all need help with that from time to time!
- Running Improves Your Memory. Studies show that exercise is great for cognitive function. Running can improve your thinking skills and aerobic exercise also helps to protect your aging brain.
Happy Trails!
Derek Griffiths | Publisher