Runner: 2

Cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Two very big words; two very important meanings. What are the cardiovascular and respiratory systems? What do they do? How does running strengthen them? 

The cardiovascular system is the body process involved with the heart and blood vessels. The heart pumps blood through all of the one-hundred thousand miles of blood vessels your body has. Blood helps to carry oxygen to cells from the lungs, and carbon dioxide from the cells back to the lungs; it also ships all the nutrients from your digestive system to each and every cell - including water.

While the cardiovascular system is a remarkable process our body performs, it is not completely safeguarded against problems. Heart attacks and strokes are the end results of bad cardiovascular treatment. These occur because extra fat in the body builds up in the arteries of your body, restricting and sometimes blocking the artery all together.

Running cleans out the arteries in our bodies because of the amount of energy it calls for. When we run, our body first converts sugar to energy, then fat. The fat is gathered from all areas of our bodies, including the arteries- widening the artery and allowing more blood flow. Also, our hearts, constantly pumping throughout the workout, are strengthened and become healthier.

Directly tied with the cardiovascular system is the respiratory system. This is the system that deals with breathing, and focuses on the lungs. Running helps increase our lung capacity and allows us to breath steadier and controlled during strenuous workouts. Our lungs become skilled at taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide, the byproduct of cellular respiration. This, combined with the cardiovascular system, makes our bodies exercising machines, and allows us to push ourselves to new limits.

Distance running has been proven to both clear out arteries, strengthen the heart, and increase lung capacity. These side effects not only are extremely beneficial to your body, but will help you along your pathway to becoming a serious runner.