Whenever a gym teacher announces to the class that they will be going down to the track,  it is usually accompanied by a mass of groans barreling from students. Running has become an activity that many consider horrible. However, what they do not realize is how good running is for the body.

Cardiovascular health is very important to people. A person who has good cardiovascular health throughout their life has a reduced risk for heart attacks and tends to live longer.

“I was not always good at running,” said physical education teacher Christopher Bailey, who started running in high school. “Running clearly benefits the body. It improves a person’s cardiovascular health which leads to better good blood pressure and a healthier heart.”

According to americanrunning.org, The Copenhagen City Heart Study, which started back in 1973, there is a 44 percent decrease in the chance of heart attack for people who jog. The study also reported that the average lifespan is 6.2 years longer for men who jog and 5.6 years longer for women who jog. Jogging was described by the study as a slow to average pace of running. Jogging or running on a regular basis helped asthma sufferers who reported less wheezing after consistent physical activity.

Running is not a hard thing to do. It also does not require any equipment.

“It is a relatively inexpensive sport,” said Bailey. “Running is simple and can be done at one’s own pace.”

Running also gives a boost to mental health as well. The benefits are both academic and with one’s self esteem.

“Working out helps get the brain going. People who exercise before tests get better test scores,” said Bailey. “Running also gives a person a self esteem boost. They get to see all their hard work pay off as they watch the pounds come off.”

Junior Tommy Castino who runs for the schools cross country team agrees how running benefits his mind saying, “Cross country has given me the mindset that I can’t do things halfway in my life and that if I want to do well I really have to set my mind to it and try my hardest.”

Going for a run does not mean going five miles down the street. Thirty minutes a few times a week can be a big help. It does also not have to be a painful experience. Go run through a nature preserve with good music flowing in and out of the ears.