Is Running a Mile Better Than Nothing?
The question seems almost too obvious to ask, yet it's one that plagues many runners, especially on days when motivation is low or time is tight. "Is running a mile *really* worth it?" The answer, unequivocally and enthusiastically, is YES. A mile is *always* better than nothing.
Think about it: even a short run gets you out the door, moving your body, and reaping the benefits of exercise. It's a victory over inertia, a triumph over the couch. It might not be the epic 10-miler you had planned, but it's something. And "something" is always better than "nothing" when it comes to fitness.
A single mile can split up a day of sitting. It can clear your thoughts and lift your spirits - it can work as a fast and good workout when you lack time. It can keep your routine steady when life gets busy. And it can be the right start for building a running practice.
Do not think that you must do everything or nothing. Do not let the best option stop you from doing something good. A mile is better than no miles. A short run is better than no run. Even walking beats sitting on the couch. The main point is to keep moving, to keep showing up, even for a short period of activity.
And recall that every run, no matter the distance, adds to your general fitness and health. Each mile makes your body stronger - it betters your heart health, and it improves how clearly you think. It is money put into yourself, a promise to your health, and a way to show you can move.
The next time you think about whether to fit in that short run, recall this - one mile is better than nothing - it is a small try that can change things a lot. It is a step in the right way. And it reminds you that you can do more than you believe.
