Health is wealth! This old adage is never more true than when we travel to a new place. With the stress of moving to a new country and trying to settle down, irregular and unfamiliar meals, different time zones and different pH levels of the water we drink, our physical health sometimes takes a hit. One sure-fire method for maintaining good health is by running. It tones up muscles of the entire body, gives an excellent cardio workout, helps release happy hormones like serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, and generally raises energy levels! (Read more in a John Hopkins article by David J. Linden, Ph.D.,here)
I have been running for the last 25 years, most of it due to my military career, but now as a hobby and as a way to keep fit. I arrived in Moncton in April of 2022, and I was overjoyed to find plenty of parks and trails in them for all kinds of activities. There’s nothing better than to go for an early morning (or late evening) jog. Out here in Moncton with low population and low traffic, one can run along the sidewalks if the distance to the park is more, but it is easier on the feet to run on a jogging path.
What you need
There are tons of places to go running in Moncton. But before you get into it, you need to be sure you have the following:
- A clear medical history that allows you to undertake cardio-vascular exercise. If you are in doubt, do ask your physician.
- A pair of comfortable running shoes. It’s not a bad idea to invest in good shoes even though they may be a bit expensive. Shoes with the correct fit, good insulation and cushioning will help prevent injuries and reduce fatigue.
- A light running t-shirt, preferably of a material that wicks away moisture.
- Running shorts or slacks.
- For colder weather, a wind-cheater or track-top, a cap or balaclava, and gloves if your hands get too cold.
- Optional – a GPS running watch, and an arm-band to carry your mobile.
If you’re running along roads, it’s always a good idea to wear a high visibility vest or even a bright-coloured t-shirt or shorts, and a running strobe light to let drivers know.
Two or more is company too!
You can go running alone, but I have found that running with a buddy or as part of a small group is much better, for a few reasons:
- If you are a new runner, a buddy will be able to guide you on the way, and advise you on the basics of running, especially if they have been running already.
- Running in a group with a group leader helps set the pace so that all the members run together and no one gets left behind.
- The most important thing is to have fun while running, and a friend helps maintain your motivation and interest.
Important things to remember
Warm up and cool down Be sure to stretch out your muscles and warm up your body before starting your jog. Go from head to toe or toe to head – that way you won’t forget the major body parts. Limber up your joints, stretch out your hamstrings and calves especially, and move a few hundred steps before you start your timed run.
Hydrate It is extremely important to stay well-hydrated, since you may be losing essential salts from your body when you sweat. A good idea, especially after a longer run, is to drink about a litre of ORS (oral rehydration solution). Sports drinks help too, but even a little sugar and salt in water will help you rehydrate. Check this link on how to make an ORS at home.
Fatigue When you first start to run after a long time, your muscles need to build up gradually (check out this article on lactate threshold). You need to give enough time to your body to recover. Don’t push it in the initial days – listen to your body. If you feel too tired, rest up. Go again when you feel fit and energetic.
When you gradually become used to running longer distances, you don’t necessarily need to run your distance in one go – stop and walk if you feel too tired, or if you feel like your muscles are cramping up. Increase your distance gradually.
Go social, go local
It’s an awesome feeling to get out there with like-minded people engaging in the same activity. There are a few running groups in Moncton, two of the prominent ones being the Greater Moncton Running Club and the Running Room, which is also a speciality running store in Moncton offering a great atmosphere, regular clinics for everything from Learn to Run through to Marathon, and a bi-weekly run club open to everyone. You can also check out RunNB, where various athletic groups of the New Brunswick area find mention. These clubs organise different distances of runs for all levels of runners. You can be sure to find something that suits you.
You can use the Alltrails app to check out running trails along with the locations and distances.
If you find already established groups a little overwhelming, you can form your own! You don’t need a huge group of people to form your own running group – just a couple of friends getting together for some fun runs, and putting up photos on their Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts. And as more of your friends join in this amazing activity, you will find your confidence, your physical fitness and your mental health improving tremendously.
We wish you happy running!
