Jogging 30 Day Challenge: Day 9

I did not go jogging on Sunday. I was very busy that day (working + a family event).

However I have since made up for it by going jogging twice yesterday... and I am planning to extend my 30 Day Challenge by an extra day to make up for the lost day.

Call it a penalty day.

I missed a day so I have to make for it by going twice the day after AND I have to add a penalty day when the 30 days has elapsed.

I have been thinking about what should happen AFTER the 30 days is over. Do I just stop jogging and go back to my "normal routine" of not jogging?

Or should I make jogging "my new normal" wherein I now jog every day?

I am leaning towards the latter. Just keep jogging every day.

Not sure what I will do during the winter... Might have to buy some jogging pants that are warmer.

We shall see.

 

See Also

Jogging 30 Day Challenge: Day 3

Jogging 30 Day Challenge: Day 1 

30 Days as a Vegetarian

 

In the meantime...

A BRIEF HISTORY OF JOGGING: WHEN DID JOGGING BECOME A THING???

Jogging became popular in the 1960s in the United States, but it originally became an exercise activity in New Zealand when an Olympic track coach, Dr. Lydiard, suggested it as a conditioning activity for retired Olympic runners.

The popularity of jogging gained importance thanks to the publication of the book 'Jogging' (1967) by Bill Bowerman, a University of Oregon track coach, and W.E. Harris, a heart specialist. Bowerman observed the practice of jogging in New Zealand and was so impressed he decided to write a book on the subject. The impact of the book cannot be overstated. It was hugely influential to promoting the activity. A year after the publication of the popular book, the U.S. National Jogging Association was formed in 1968 to promote the pastime.

In the decades that followed the activity gained popularity across many continents, sparking newspaper and magazine articles on the subject, in addition to thousands of books. Jogging would late become endorsed by many medical authorities for its value as a heart exercise and for general physical conditioning, usually to be practiced on alternate days, or daily for short periods.

Jogging doesn't come without its risks however.

Some doctors have warned about fallen arches, shin splints, sweat miliaria profunda (tropical anhidrosis), strained Achilles tendons, bruised heels, and knee and back ailments can result from jogging, and such sports injuries usually result from jogging on hard surfaces with the feet striking the ground from 600 to 750 times per mile. Warm-up exercises before jogging, properly designed shoes, loose clothing, proper jogging technique, and general good health are very handy for preventing such sports injuries. Also there is a good argument for only going for "short jogs" as opposed to jogging long distances, as the chance of a sports injury skyrockets if a person is jogging very long distances.

Like many sports and exercises activities it is important not to exercise to excess. Being sensible and doing a moderate or light amount of exercise is significantly safer. There is a now whole industry dedicated towards creating shoes that are designed specifically for jogging / running so that joggers and runners don't hurt themselves.

As an activity jogging burns about 10 to 13 calories per minute in this exercise, but has a high chance of triggering the Afterburn Effect (which consequently burns more calories).

So absolutely, there are definite benefits to going jogging. A healthy heart. Weight loss. But you need to wear proper shoes and be safe about it.