One of the best sports on the planet is long distance running. Next to soccer, it's probably the most practiced and loved sport in the world. At some point in our lives just about all of us have enjoyed the feeling of running; in fact, most of us can remember our first enjoyable experience racing as a young child on the playground. Just about every age group, male and female, participates in the sport, each with various reasons for getting involved, but with a common tie; we have all become addicted to the sport.

I never really intended to be a long distance runner, but once you begin running you become addicted to the sport and just want to run farther and longer. When I started on my very first run, I couldn't make it around the corner from my home without running out of breath and feeling like my heart was going to explode. After I went out on a couple of jogs, my muscles and especially my respiratory system soon became strong and adjusted to my pounding of the pavement. I eventually outgrew my tiny city of Pittsburg, became totally addicted to the sport and soon began signing up to run long distance races throughout Northern California.

The web list thousands of websites on the sport of running and some sites allow those who want to compete to register online. I use Enter Online to register for races. It's probably one of the best and most reliable online registration websites on the web. Enter Online, list races for those who enjoy competing in running, cycling and swimming or triathlon races. The site allows competitors to register for events mostly throughout California but the site also list major marathons throughout the nation. Click on the event you want to run and the web site gives you a thorough itinerary of dates, times, cost, awards received, gifts and sometimes a detailed pictorial of the course.

The Runner's Schedule, a regional magazine, list all major running events throughout Northern California and most major marathons. The Runner's Schedule isn't just an excellent magazine but an excellent website that allows competitors to register online for some events. One benefit to this web page over Enter Online's web page is that you can pull up the results of your last race by entering the race name and your first and last name. Another benefit is that the site has useful information on becoming a better runner.

With the average cost of running a race costing no less that $25.00, it pays to join a runners' club. Local clubs can be found in the back of the Runner's Schedule magazine. I'm a member of the San Francisco Dolphin South End Runners Club. The club list all of its races in the Runner's Schedule. Although the East Bay has several runner's clubs, I chose to run with the "Tortoise" runners because they have more prizes, more races, and bigger and better events. The club is known for being the biggest, oldest and most successful running club in the Bay Area. Races are conveniently held on the weekend in some of San Francisco's most scenic areas. Club members pay $5.00 dollars to run a race and annual dues of $20.00.

Great Running Routes is a web page for anyone who enjoys running. The site was designed for runners who occasionally want a change of scenery. Anyone who has become addicted to the sport will love this site. Great Running Routes list scenic running areas throughout the nation. This is an excellent site for those who run or jog for health, leisure or to sight see.

We hear all the time that running is the best way to control weight and keep healthy. I constantly hear people say they can't lose weight because their metabolism is too slow. By running, a slow metabolism can be changed to a fast metabolism. Metabolism is the process by which the body burns fuel (carbohydrates and fats) to keep the body warm and functioning properly. Deep within the muscle fibers is where metabolism takes place. Within the muscle fibers are mitochondria. The mitochondria produce an enzyme that can be either anaerobic or aerobic. If a person never exercises, the enzyme produced is anaerobic. If the person exercises regularly, the enzyme will be aerobic. The healthier the muscle, the better the muscle burns fat to produce energy. A person who produces aerobic enzymes will burn fat even while sleeping or sitting.

The body also needs oxygen to burn fat efficiently. Running builds a strong respiratory system and a fit body. A fit body produces more red blood cells to carry more oxygen to the working muscles. Oxygen is what metabolizes the carbohydrates and fats. If we decrease the oxygen to a burning fire, the fuel (wood) will burn more slowly. If we increase the oxygen to a burning fire, the fuel (wood) will burn more quickly. Our bodies burn fuel (carbohydrates and fats) in our bodies in the same manner.

When you run, the higher the intensity, the more carbohydrates you burn, but when you rest -- sitting or sleeping -- the more fat you burn. This means that the healthier your muscles, the more fat you can burn immediately after exercise, and when your body is resting. A high intensity interval program, such as repeated running at 80% to 85% of maximal effort for sixty to ninety seconds, increased fat burning for up to fifteen hours after the workouts, according to a study at Laval University in Quebec.

Jogging is not only good for the body but scientist believe that it helps people to think better. Scientists now believe something runners have known for a while; we're smarter. Scientist have realized that running is not only beneficial to a person's health, but it can also enhance a person's memory. Running makes a person smarter. It's true. Running before taking a test not only will relax my muscles but the extra oxygen to my brain helps my mind to be sharper. Running before studying works in the same way and even running before writing an essay. If I run before sitting down to write an essay, the ideas seem to just flow without hindrance.

Runners have different reasons for running. Some run for the runner's high that all true runners speak of experiencing. I enjoy long distance running not because of being able to compete with other runners but because of being able to compete against myself. Throughout the race it's as if there are two people within me, talking to me the whole time I run the race. One personality is negative and the other is positive. The positive personality is sort of like a coach; I'm encouraged to keep running and to finish the race. The negative personality is sort of like a heckler; I'm discouraged from running and completing the race. These two personalities either talk me out of finishing the race or into completing the race. Other runners have this experience, also. In a sense, some runners run a race against themselves. If you give in to the personality that wants you to quit, then you've lost your race. You've lost the race not because you didn't beat the winner, but because you didn't beat yourself.

People begin running to compete with others or against themselves, to enjoy the outdoors, to experience the runner's high or to stay fit. Runners run for different reasons but all runners gain the same benefits from the sport. Running, besides being enjoyable from the scenery and fresh air, if properly done, keeps bones healthy, blood circulating properly, the heart healthy, weight under control and the mind sharp. With all the benefits of running it's understandable why it's one of the world's greatest sports.