Take Social Distancing to a New Distance
With the pandemic raging all around us, we need to be taking care of ourselves. The vaccine for Covid-19 is months away, but your physical and mental health can’t wait for that. Go outside and run. Lets recap the benefits of running:
- Running makes you healthier. This study of 230,000 people over 35 years found a 23% lower chance of cancer mortality, 30% lower chance of cardiovascular mortality and a 27% lower chance of all-cause mortality. Better yet, this study found that the amount of time spent running, distance ran or pace had no bearing on the health benefits. Whether you run a six minute mile or a 15 minute mile, run 5K or run ultras, the benefit is the same. All that matters is that you run.
- Running improves your mental health. Coach Brandon is crazy, but anecdotal evidence suggests that he is less so due to running. You can read a far more scientific study on depression and anxiety in college students and the positive effect of regular running here.
- Running boosts your immune system. Let’s face it, now is an exceptional time to have robust immune system.
- Running is good for your sleep (and sleep is good for your running).
- Running makes you a sexy beast. The prosecution presents Exhibit A:
Why Southwest Endurance Training?
You are probably already aware of the benefits of regular exercise or you wouldn’t have read this far. So why run with SWET?
- Many of us will be setting a New Year fitness resolution. On January 2, the gyms will be packed, which is a completely irresponsible thing to participate in during the pandemic. The far safer alternative is to exercise outside.
- SWET has now safely conducted two training cycles during the pandemic. We enforce mask wearing when social distance can’t be maintained, and maintaining social distance is easy in the great outdoors.
- Our focus is new and novice runners. 5K Running Start group teaches brand new runners the fundamentals of endurance running, no experience necessary. Our first day workout is to run or jog for 1 minute, walk for 3 minutes and do that for a total of 40 minutes. By graduation day, March 14, 2021, you will be running intervals of 4 minutes running, 1 minute walking for 5 kilometers.
- Running Start group is only the beginning. All SWET programs are designed to build off Running Start, taking you as far and as fast as you want to go.
- We welcome all people in our running groups. We believe that regardless of your age, sex or fitness level, you have a place with us. Our groups are non-competitive; we support and encourage all of our runners.
- Our groups are coach-led. Coaches are right there with you to give advise and encouragement.
- We have separate groups serving the Northwest and East sides of the Tucson metro.
- If you are affected financially by the pandemic, you run with us for free. Fitness isn’t a luxury, it’s critical to your physical and mental health, and we all need to stay as healthy as we can right now. Use code “Getbackup” to remove the registration fees when you sign up.
Winter 2021 Groups
Running Start 5k Training
- Begins January 5, 2021
- Goal race: Arizona Distance Classic 5K (or a race of our own making if ADC cancels due to the pandemic).
- More information here
- Register here!
10K / Half Marathon Training
- Begins January 2, 2021
- Goal race: Arizona Distance Classic Quarter Marathon or Half Marathon (or races of our own making if ADC cancels due to the pandemic).
- More information here
- Register here!
