The running fever returns to Mexico City with the celebration of its Marathon and if you are one of the millions of people who have been enchanted by this sport, it is important that you know that in addition to discipline and perseverance, you will also need to make an investment to get the most out of it. all possible benefit.
“Because of my activity, I spend a lot of time locked up and, because of my hyperactivity, I didn’t like going to a gym; I didn’t want to be marked either. You can run anywhere, at any time and alone”, says Héctor Bastida.
“As a child I dreamed of being a footballer, but I ended up being a challenger footballer. I went for running because I had my mother’s background; and at some point I was overweight and a doctor told me: ‘go for a walk in the park,’” says Carlos Vargas.
Both Héctor and Carlos, the passion of running has led them to improve their lifestyle to have better health.
“I like to see it as an investment and not as an expense. You say: ‘the nutritionist will cost me 800 or 1,000 pesos’. But, how much is going to cost you after an appointment with a cardiologist? Double or triple”, points out for his part in coach Quirino.
On August 28, the Mexico City Marathon will take place, which this year had a registration fee of 500 pesos.
How much does it cost to be a runner?
Although physical activity brings you benefits, inflation may not be a good ally for your intentions to practice a sport. In the first half of July, the consumer price index stood at 8.62%, far from the 3% goal of the Bank of Mexico (Banxico).
What do you think you need to start running? The first thing that comes to mind is tennis shoes and comfortable, light clothing. You need to take into account other details such as registration for races, devices to measure heart rate, distance traveled -they are not essential, but they can help you-, as well as a trainer, nutritionist and a physical therapist or chiropractor.
Here is a range of costs of what you need to be a runner:
If you choose not to buy a smart watch or some other device, it is very important to learn to “listen to your body,” say Héctor Bastida and Quirino Gutiérrez. “This year I planned to run the marathon, but in June I got Covid; I tried to run the half marathon on Father’s Day, but I crashed at 8 kilometers. You have to learn to listen to your body, beyond a watch telling you how your pulse is going”, says Bastida.
“For example, if you are already in the longest distances, such as the marathon, it is advisable to give yourself discharge massages; You go with a physiotherapist or a chiropractor who knows about sports and helps you relax your muscles so you don’t arrive so tense at the race”, explains the nutritionist and runner, Raquel Pérez de León.
Another aspect to consider has to do with transfers if the race will be in a different place than where you live. You must include transportation, either by land or air, lodging and food.
In the case of tennis, you can find from 800 to 7,000 pesos, said Quirino Gutiérrez. Shoes have to be changed, on average, every 600 kilometers, or between four and six months. Preferably compete with the sneakers with which you have been training, the interviewees recommend.
Although there are many training and nutrition tutorials on the internet, the ideal is to have a specialist in each branch, since each body is different and requires a tailored suit.
On the subject of nutrition, it is difficult to talk about a range, since there are different options to have an adequate diet. “An important part, or the most, are fruits and vegetables – about five servings of fruit and vegetables in total – and at each meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) there should be protein: egg, tuna, turkey breast, chicken, meat, fish and carbohydrates -rice, tortillas, pasta-, cheaper foods”, specifies the nutritionist Pérez de León.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables are cheaper and, when it comes to protein, you can opt for salmon or tuna or egg, depending on your pocket, adds the nutritionist.
Time
Raquel Pérez de León recommends going to the nutritionist one year before running, for example, a marathon, or six months before.
The training time depends on your level, says Quirino. Between 16 and 18 weeks if you have experience, “to do a good aerobic load; 18 to 20 weeks if you are a little more inexperienced, but have a sports background in some other discipline. But, if you start from scratch, it is recommended to train between 36 and 40 weeks before, so that you know how your body evolves.
The first steps
Before you tie your laces well, start the stopwatch and start jogging, you have to take into account some aspects related to running.
“To understand the subject of the runner, you have to go to that part where you have to know that discipline, perseverance and, above all, being able to spend time with you is super important,” explains Quirino Gutiérrez, coach and marathoner of the Runner Factory team.
Consistency does not end with training, but with improving your lifestyle, from food to rest time. “You get a lot of benefits when you start practicing a physical activity. It will not limit you, but it will force you to have a balance in parties, unhealthy foods, alcohol, “he adds.
Carlos Vargas remembers that running helped him lose weight. While Héctor Bastida adds that his sleeping habits, his aerobic recovery process were modified and, most importantly, “I received some shots (bullets) and they pierced my lung. So my breathing was not like normal and, when I started running, I had a more frequent and deeper rhythm, “he highlights.
“You start drinking more water, then your hair changes, your skin changes; your very breath, your digestion; they were very noticeable at six months,” he adds.
