Long distance running and why you should pick up speed

As we get older, it’s considered the norm to jog or sprint when it comes to exercise. But if you want to see results, it’s important to pick up speed. The reason for running slower as we get older is that the body adapts to become slow – the muscle twitch fibres that once made our bodies move quickly slacken and deteriorate, and we fear injury so we run and exercise slower than when we were young.

However, there is no proof that says once you hit a certain age you must slow down – this is simply something that society has told us we need to do. But if you do opt to stand out from the crowd, it could be one of the best things you ever choose to do in terms of your fitness. There are many arguments both for and against running as the best form of physical activity, but running is a great way to build stamina and improve fitness. In reality, marathon runners are usually extremely thin but if you simply want to build muscle you should aim to quicken the pace and aim for sprinting or running workouts.

Sprinters are generally muscular and strong, with more energy and vitality than long distance runners. Although long distance running is easier to train for, it only builds a slow and weak body. If you want to hold on to a youthful body, you should aim for a more explosive and fast-paced form of training. To include this in your exercise regime, you should build slowly – start by going for a two or three mile run, then a few days later try sprinting for one minute, walking for thirty seconds, and repeating for ten minutes. You will notice a difference very quickly, and will hopefully see the benefits of sprinting and running on your fitness levels.