Running fever strikes Toronto
There’s arguably no better time for running than during the fall.
Do you find it too hot to run during the summer? How about too cold to run in the winter? Well then, you’re out of excuses for fall when the temperature is just right.
If you’re a committed runner desperate for the sweltering summer runs to end, then there’s no better reward than the crisp fall air. If you’re just starting out, it’s the perfect time to set a benchmark for your training in good humidity before the winter days take hold.
As an overly keen runner myself, the fall period is the ideal time for light runs and a chance to turn my mind off. Having completed the Toronto Marathon earlier this year and gone through the strenuous training that was needed to complete it, it’s nice to indulge in a period of unstructured training where my runs guide me as much as I guide them.
I hear your stereotypes and fears about running from the other side of the page. You might be worried that over-zealous runners will judge your 5km time. You may also be worried about turning into the kind of person who spends hundreds of dollars on shoes that make you only slightly faster. You may even worry about every runner’s nightmare: if it’s not recorded on your running watch, Strava, or phone, it didn’t happen. Such stereotypes have some merit but are nothing to worry about if you’re getting into running. The most important thing about beginning the runner’s journey is that you do it for yourself and no one else.
This means doing it on your terms. If you want to run with your six-year-old trainers, then you do it. Don’t want to run any further than 5km? That’s fine too. Everyone’s running journeys are tailored to what they want to get out of it. You should never let anyone tell you different. Otherwise, running will become a chore instead of the thrill of the runners high.
Still not convinced? Well then, how about you get out the door and give it a first shot. Beyond the obvious physical health that comes from running for as little as 50 minutes a week, running will reduce stress through releasing endocannabinoids into your blood and brain. This creates short-term feelings of calm, thus lessening chances of anxiety and depression. This relaxing chemical will also help you sleep better, allowing you to develop a (much) stronger sleep schedule than your average university student. This builds a physically stronger brain through the creation of new brain cells during cardiovascular activity. As long as you keep running at your own pace and don’t overdo things, you will only see benefits from your running experience.
So, you know why you should run but the question remains: where? Mississauga offers a series of running hotspots, including UTM’s neighbouring Erindale Park, which features 222 acres of land for you to run about freely while also offering heaps of challenging hills (should you be so inclined).
If you find yourself in or around UofT’s downtown campus, then I can’t recommend the Toronto waterfront enough. Lakefront Promenade also offers a beautiful view while you sweat it out.
While UTM’s indoor gym includes a 200-metre rubber track that’s great for training year-round, nothing compares to the feeling of fall running. So accept this challenge, lace your running shoes, and experience for yourself the best season to get your body moving.
