QUESTION: Hi Dr. Zac, everyone has been saying running clubs are the new dating apps (mind you, I’ve had no luck with either of them) but I want to know if running really is as good as everyone says.
My housemate got really into running last year and is now training for their first half-marathon. By the time I’ve crawled out of bed on Saturday mornings they’ve already gone for a 10km run, which makes me feel lazy — but I just can’t get around the idea of enjoying a run.
Please tell me it’s not actually as good as my housemate is making it out to be so I don’t have to finally get roped in – Sam, 26, Glenelg, SA
ANSWER: Dear Sam, I hear you.
Some people are just built for running — bouncing out of bed at sunrise, lacing up their $300 shoes and somehow smiling through a 10km jog.
Others (like you, me, and let’s be honest, many of us) would rather hit snooze and wonder if watching people run on TV counts as exercise.
So, is running actually as good as your housemate makes it out to be, or are they just brainwashed by their own endorphins?
Well, I’ve got good news and bad news.
The good news? You’re not lazy.
The bad news? Running actually is pretty incredible for your body and brain — when done right.
The heart says yes, the knees say maybe
Running is like that one friend who’s annoyingly good at everything.
It boosts cardiovascular health, strengthens bones, torches calories, clears your head, and — here’s the kicker — can even help you live longer.
Yep, even a little running (as in, five to 10 minutes a day) has been linked to a longer life and a lower risk of heart disease.
You don’t even have to be fast. Just moving at a “nobody’s chasing me but I’m still jogging” pace does wonders.
BUT — and it’s a big but — too much running can have its downsides.
Your knees, ankles and hips take a hit if you overdo it or have poor form.
And while your heart loves a good run, pushing too hard for too long without proper recovery can lead to overtraining syndrome (which, fun fact, makes you feel like a burnt-out zombie). Personally, I alternate running on grass and/or sand to help prevent a lot of the stress and impact that pounding the pavement can cause.
Also, I find some rowing or riding are also great ways to spread the workout and play the field.
Running: The original mood booster
Your housemate might seem suspiciously happy after their Saturday morning run, but there’s science behind it.
Running releases endorphins and boosts serotonin and dopamine — basically, nature’s happy pills.
It’s been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, which explains why runners are always trying to recruit more people into their club.
That being said, too much running can backfire, making you irritable, exhausted and prone to injury.
If your new “running lifestyle” leaves you snapping at your barista for getting your coffee order slightly wrong, it might be time to dial it back.
The ‘run club = dating app’ theory
Okay, this one’s interesting.
Run clubs are being hailed as the new Tinder, and honestly, it makes sense.
You’re meeting new people, bonding over shared suffering and everyone’s already in activewear, which saves you from awkward first date wardrobe decisions.
It’s also a natural way to connect — no ghosting, no swiping through bios where someone’s only personality trait is “loves the gym and crypto”.
And if nothing else, at least you walk away with a good workout.
Final verdict: Should you run?
If you’re curious, give it a go.
Start small — maybe a casual 3km with a friend or a local park run.
If you love it? Great. If not? That’s okay too — there are plenty of ways to stay fit without sacrificing your Saturday mornings to the running gods.
And as for your housemate, let them have their half-marathon glory.
You can support them the best way possible — by being at the finish line, coffee in hand, looking well rested.
Exercising, like flirting, takes practice and there’s nothing like changing things up a bit.
Try adding some other activities, from rock climbing to fencing … and who knows where you might find your next romance.
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