Myths about running

There are countless myths about the oldest sport in the universe: running. One may be crazier than the other. But which is true and which (absolutely) is not? Jussi Peltonen, Senior Researcher at the Polar Research Center, shares all the ins and outs of 5 myths.

Fact or Fiction: Anyone Can Run

FACT – Anyone can run whether they are tall, short, wide, thin, young or old. The human body perfectly adapts to this ancient sport. “Compared to other animals, we are not very fast. We are not runners, but we excel at running long distances.” Well, as a beginner, you don’t immediately run a marathon, but the more you train, the closer you get to that 42.2 kilometers. Let’s run!

Fact or Fiction: Runners Never Walk

Myth – In fact, walking during a running program has great benefits. For example, hiking is an ideal workout for advanced runners during their recovery day. It helps build endurance and gives muscles and joints the necessary breathing space. For beginner runners, walking is ideal to start running and combine running and walking during exercise.

Fact or Fiction: Heart rate training is only for true professionals

Myth – Heart rate training is also good for beginners to check if you are on the right track. Everything you need: A sports watch, like the all-new Polar Pacer, that measures your heart rate during training and provides insight into your personal heart zones, a fitness tracker or chest strap. “Heart rate training can help prevent new runners from exhausting themselves too quickly to enjoy running,” Peltonen explains.

Fact or Fiction: After a few days off, you have to start over

Myth – Even staying in bed for three weeks will only lead to a loss of up to 25% of your VO2max. Fits well, right? Especially when you consider that such a situation rarely happens. In general, resting and taking recovery days is very important and helps improve your condition. So feel free to sit on that couch tonight!

Fact or Fiction: Running a marathon is healthy

Fact – well, the race itself may be harmful, but the lifestyle you lead by training for such a marathon is really healthy. You get stronger muscles and bones, maintain a healthy weight and increase your self-confidence. O. And don’t worry: You can also take advantage of these benefits with “simple” running training sessions where you don’t immediately aim for a marathon.

Fall in love with running? That’s how you do it.

Although running seems very easy, injuries always lie in this sport. Especially when you want to make progress very quickly. Fortunately, when you have access to the best tools that give you insight into your body, little can go wrong. With the latest sports watch, the Polar Pacer, you are a beginner runner learning to understand your body, find your speed and run with the right intensity, so injuries don’t stand a chance.

This new apple of the eye from Polar has many functions to accompany, support and customize your running training. This way they ensure that you can run well from every run, prevent setbacks that can lead to injuries and dampen your motivation to keep running.

Polar Pacer is a lightweight watch with powerful technology built in, including a vibrant display, long-life battery, accurate GPS and heart rate tracking, plus specialized training, sleep and recovery tools, available through Polar.com and retail for $199. 90 in the colors Night Black, Deep Teal, and Purple Dusk.