Run, Dhaka, Run!

He is supposed to have run 150 miles to carry the news of the Persian landing at Marathon to Sparta in order to enlist help for the battle. Scholars believe the story of Pheidippides may be a myth, yet the legend had legs and was the genesis of the modern marathon.

'Cardio', short for cardiovascular (also known as aerobic) exercise, is a potent tool for getting in shape. Widely familiar cardio exercises are: walking, jogging, running (but not sprinting), swimming, cycling and stair climbing. 

Cardio is good for us for a number of reasons: weight loss, stronger heart and lungs, increased bone density, reduced stress, and better sleep, among others.

Out of all cardio workouts, I consider running/jogging to be the best, particularly in the context of Dhaka. Anyone can do it, it is all-inclusive, there is very little skill needed and it costs virtually nothing (aside from a decent pair of running shoes and non-chafing apparels).

Definition of running: to go steadily by springing steps so that both feet leave the ground for an instant. During walking, one foot is always on the ground. Jogging is running slowly, and sprinting is running fast.

We all know how to run, but do we all know how to run correctly? 

Head: Look forward. Do not bend forward or look down at your feet. 

Shoulders: Keep them relaxed. Shrugging, tightening, and creating tension in your shoulders and neck will waste energy and deplete you quickly.

Torso: Stretch yourself up to full height with no strain from the torso. 

Legs: Keep your knees low (unless you are sprinting). 

Arms: Keep them close to the body; swing forward and back and not across your body to minimise torso rotation. 

Breathe deeply, exhale fully. Start with a five-minute brisk walk to warm up. When you feel ready, start running/jogging. If you get out of breath, slow down or walk again. Once you have caught your breath, start running again. 

Running etiquette: Do not run/walk in herds and hog the track. Cattle walk in herds; people should not. If you are serious about getting in shape, save the chitchat for the benches when you rest. Do not block someone running behind you on the track; if you are slower than the person approaching you from behind, make way.

Places in Dhaka where you can run/jog: Ramna Park, Chandrima Udyan, Dhanmandi Lake walkway, Gulshan Lake. If you are an early bird, you can pretty much run on the sidewalk anywhere in Dhaka; the whole city is your playground then.

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed 

Model: Karim