There is much to be said for the sport of running. Many people do it to stay in shape and integrate it easily into their fitness programs. Running is considered to be a high impact exercise because of the amount of stress it can place on your legs and feet. That is why you should always wear comfortable running shoes when taking part in the activity.

Running can be very beneficial in many ways. First it serves as an aerobic exercise and will fulfill your cardiovascular needs by keeping your heart rate up for quite some time. It also works the leg muscles, both toning and burning fat.

Some people are sprinters, meaning they run shorter distance better than longer ones, while others are long distance runners. It all depends on the type of leg muscles you possess, although many sprinters learn to run long distances and distance runners learn to run sprints.

Typically, a sprint is anything 400 yards or less while a distance is greater than 400 yards. If you really want to become a runner you will need to practice both.

When first adding running to your overall fitness program, you will need to take it easy for the first few days or perhaps even weeks. This means starting out by running relatively short distance or even running longer ones more slowly. This will help you build up both stamina and strength and running will become a bit easier once you have been dong it for a while.

As with any other type of exercise, stretching is paramount to your fitness success as a runner. Failing to stretch both before and after running can result in injury.

When running, try to stick to softer surfaces. Asphalt, for example, is a bit difficult to run on and places more impact on the legs and feet than cement or other softer materials. If at all possible, try to find an actual track. This will not only be better for your legs but will also provide you the means by which to keep up with the exact distance you have run. Run at least two to three days a week. You can run everyday but will still get a lot out of those few days. Use the other days to perform strength training exercises. That way you will be able to mix it up a bit and get at least one aspect of your fitness routine in each day.