Why Endurance Sport
Physical activity is incredibly important for maintaining health of all kinds: physical, emotional, mental, and social. The list of positive influences on our health with physical activity far outweighs the negative. While the negative influences of a sedentary lifestyle and overconsumption of unhealthy foods far outweigh the positive. As an endurance athlete of over 20 years and as a coach for Playtri, which has been helping endurance athletes for over 20 years, I have seen first hand the positive impacts of endurance sports on people’s lives. Here are a few reasons why endurance sport is such a positive influencer on health.
Increases the good and decreases the bad. Endurance exercise can improve metabolism, reduces cardiovascular risk, increases brain cell production, and reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. In other words, going for a moderately intense swim, bike, or run can make your life last longer.
Runners high. Endurance exercise increases the levels of endocannabinoids in the bloodstream, which move easily through the brain/blood barrier, and have mood-improving effects like reduced anxiety and feelings of calm. Endurance sport can also help develop mental endurance and help people set goals and learn how to face adversity.
Community. My first triathlon back in 2004 ended like this: I crossed the finish line spent and tired, and surprised that I was cheered on by people who didn’t even know me. A little bit later, while race awards were being handed out, the last finisher approached the line. As the last finisher was approaching, the overall winner stood up and starting clapping and cheering. Soon everyone else did the same. Endurance sport creates an unique and beautiful community of people who compete together instead of against each other.
Sense of Accomplishment. Over the years I have talked with athletes who competed in the Boston Marathon in the 60s and athletes who raced some of the early Ironman World Championship races before it moved to Kona. Whether you complete you first 5k or race in your 15th Ironman World Championship, there is a wonderful sense of accomplishment that goes with you from setting a goal, being stretched and courageous to reach that goal, and growing as an individual.
Fitness. As a coach, I love it when my athletes are able to reflect on the fitness gains they have experienced and how their lives have changed through gaining more physical fitness. Along with that sense of accomplishment, there is something quite amazing to hear an athlete reflect on how they can now do something that they never thought they could have done before.
Jim Rowe is a Playtri Level 4 Coach and Coach Education Lead, a USAT LI Certified Coach, an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and an Ironman and 70.3 World Championship Qualifier who works with adult athletes from beginners to IRONMAN World Championship qualifiers. Learn more about Jim at www.playtri.com/jim-rowe