Many fear having to start from scratch after a break from running. But don’t worry: Former runners reach their old level faster, even after long breaks.
Who doesn’t know that: You haven’t trained for months. Too much work, no desire, too bad weather. Just become parents. An injury. Or what ever. There are many reasons not to go running for a long time. And in the worst case, months can turn into years. The restart of the running career suddenly seems like a barely manageable hurdle.
Here is the good news for all rusty runners. Dare, because the human body has a kind of memory. Every run in the past was a deposit. Anyone who becomes active again can hope for a payout. The reason is hidden deep inside the body. Running strengthens the muscles, which then produce more small protein factories. And that’s the basis for muscle growth. As has been shown in a study by the University of Oslo, these production facilities remain in place even after prolonged periods of inactivity; they do not have to be newly established. This gives former runners a clear advantage and one step ahead of everyone else.
And in other ways, too, it is easier for former runners to get back into the job. Running is like riding a bike. You never forget it. If you start running again, the body “remembers” the old movement sequences. He knows exactly how to divide his strength correctly, how to work more effectively. So, that is clearly scientifically proven, it works much faster with the restart.
In the end, perhaps the best news: All of this also applies to the heart. In well-trained athletes, the heart relaxes much better, they get out of breath much later. In addition, the heart reacts less stressed to exercise. And these two properties are also remembered by the body. Even if the last lap was a few years ago.
