One common goal among my clients is to be more active. This can be achieved in many ways, and today I am going to talk about one of my favorites: running events. The length of events can vary, from a 5k (3.1 miles) to a 10k (6.2 miles) or a half Marathon (13.1 miles).

There are more benefits to participating in a running event than you would expect. These can include social interaction, tracking your progress, and supporting a cause. These benefits can be linked back to the aspects of balance that we’ve discussed previously: social, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual.

The most obvious benefit is physical. By running or walking a 5k, you are being more active. After you complete a few events, you will see the benefits of being active. You will be able to finish in a shorter amount of time and will feel better.

There are also social benefits to an event. Many people do these with friends or family members. Sometimes they walk or run together, other times they meet at the end or go out for coffee or just catch up with their lives.

There is also an emotional satisfaction to completing an event. When you are becoming more active, you can see your progress. If you used to be active and are trying to get to where you used to be, completing a run can help with that.

The mental effects of completing a walk or run include a sense of mastery, the ability to complete a goal, and the satisfaction in being a participant instead of a bystander. I have found that being able to complete a physical event helps me to gain the confidence to tackle other goals as well.

Spiritual effects will depend on your values. But activities that help you improve your health also lead to improvements in well-being. The spiritual benefits are very personal but can help you become a better version of yourself.

Not certain how to start? Ask a support team member to join you or find an event that supports a cause you believe in. There are many 5ks that support the work of non-profits and community organizations. Another fun one is a holiday event. I have done a Halloween run with my son and his family, including his infant daughter. It still makes me smile!