Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Table of Contents
Running is a way for humans and animals to move rapidly on foot, and is a method of terrestrial locomotion. When running, all feet are above the ground, which is different from walking where one foot is always in contact with the ground.
See the fact file below for more information on Running or alternatively, you can download our 29-page Running worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORY
- Running has a long history filled with competitions, commemorations, and sports from all over the world. Foot races, in their simplicity, have been perhaps the most prevalent athletic competition throughout history, ranging from sprints of a few meters to extreme endurance tests over vast distances.
- As one of the core components of general athleticism, running has been an essential component of numerous athletic activities all through history, from ancient Greek hoop rolling to medieval European mob football.
- Running for sport was first documented in Ireland, where a festival was held to commemorate the death of Tailte, the Irish goddess and queen, in 1829 BCE.
- The festival included a number of events designed to test the participants’ physical and mental fitness, including running. The games continued until the Norman invasion in 1117 B.C.E. but were revived in 1924 with many of the same events.
- On the other hand, running is said to have been formally recognized as a sport in 776 B.C.E. in ancient Greece, in the town of Olympia. As a result, the first Olympic competition was a race. In fact, until 724 B.C.E., the stadium race was the only competition held at the Olympics.
DESCRIPTION
- Running is a terrestrial locomotion technique that allows humans and other animals to move quickly on foot. Running is a type of movement pattern that is distinguished by an aerial phase in which all four feet are elevated above the ground.
- Running, or foot racing over a variety of distances and courses is one of the most popular sports in almost all eras and locations.
- Modern competitive running ranges from sprints or dashes, which emphasize continuous high speed, to long-distance and marathon races, which require tremendous endurance.
COMMON KINDS OF RUNNING
- Recovery Run – A recovery run is a slow, relatively short run. Recovery runs add a little mileage to a runner’s training without detracting from performance in the harder, more important workouts that precede and follow them.
- Recovery runs are best done right after a hard workout, such as an interval run. Recovery runs should be completed as gradually as possible in order for the runner to feel relatively comfortable despite any residual fatigue from their previous run.
- Base Run – A base run is a short to moderate-length run done at the runner’s natural pace.
- Individual base runs are not meant to be difficult; rather, they are meant to be done frequently in order to stimulate significant improvements in aerobic capacity, endurance, and running economy. Base runs will account for the majority of one’s weekly training mileage.
- Long Run – A long run is typically defined as a base run that lasts long enough to make a runner significantly more prone to fatigue.
- A long run’s purpose is to improve raw endurance. The distance or time required to achieve this effect is, of course, determined by your current level of endurance.
- As a general rule, a runner’s longest run should be long enough to ensure that their raw endurance will not limit them in races. A long run can be given a variety of twists, such as increasing the pace from start to finish or incorporating intervals into the run.
- Progression Run – A progression run begins at a runner’s natural pace and concludes with a faster segment ranging from marathon to 10K pace.
- These runs are intended to be moderately more difficult than base runs, but easier than most tipping point and interval runs. Progression runs require less recovery period than more strenuous sessions because they are a medium-effort workout.
- Fartlek – A fartlek workout consists of a base run followed by intervals of varying lengths or distances. It’s a good way to get a moderate dose of fast running later in the cycle, in addition to the larger doses provided by pacing and interval workouts.
- Tempo Run – A tempo run is a concentrated effort at a threshold intensity, which is the fastest pace that highly fit runners can maintain for one hour and the fastest pace that less fit runners can maintain for 20 minutes.
- Tempo or threshold runs are designed to increase the speed a runner can maintain for an extended period of time as well as the length of time they can maintain a specific, relatively fast pace.
- Intervals – Interval workouts consist of short bursts of fast running followed by recoveries of slow jogging or standing. This format allows a runner to incorporate more fast running into a single workout than a single extended fast effort to exhaustion.
- Interval workouts are usually performed on the track and are classified as either short or long intervals. It’s a great way to gradually improve your performance and fatigue resistance at high running speeds.
- In amateur and professional settings, there are certain categories/events set for athletes to compete for:
- Sprints (100m, 200m, 400m)
- Middle distance (800m, 1500m)
- Long distance (3000m Steeplechase, 5000m, 10,000m)
- Hurdles (110/100m, 400m)
- Relays (4x100m, 4x400m, mixed 4x400m)
- Marathon (42.195km or 26 miles & 385 yds.)
BENEFITS OF RUNNING
- Running is an excellent way to stay fit, catch up with friends, or simply enjoy the outdoors. Running has several advantages, including the ability to burn at least 400 calories in an hour.
- It can also help a person sleep better, and getting enough sleep is important for a variety of health reasons, including brain function, immune system function, and even weight loss.
- About 30 minutes a day, five times a week, at a reasonable pace, can do wonders for a person’s sleep patterns, allowing them to sleep better and function better during the day.
- Running also helps with memory. It has both short and long-term effects on the brain.
- Aerobic exercise raises a person’s heart rate and causes them to sweat. This can increase the size of a person’s hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and learning.
- Doctors emphasize the importance of jogging or running for adults. This is primarily due to the fact that a person creates a favorable environment in his or her body for the development of growth hormones.
- Human growth hormones help with cell regeneration as well as the growth and maintenance of healthy human tissue.
- Furthermore, running can be a form of meditation; it also aids in the maintenance of proper blood pressure, reduces bone and muscle wasting, and has numerous other health benefits.
HEALTH RISKS
- Running is without a doubt one of the most strenuous forms of exercise, and despite the numerous benefits that it can provide, it can also pose health risks to an individual.
- Running injuries happen when a person pushes themselves too far. Runner’s knee, stress fractures, Shin Splints, Achilles Tendinitis, Muscle Pull, Ankle Sprain, Plantar Fasciitis, Iliotibial Band Syndrome, blisters, temperature-related injuries, and many more are examples of these injuries.
- It does, in fact, increase the risk of having a heart attack for some people. This is because running puts a lot of strain on your cardiovascular system, which requires more oxygen to keep muscles supplied so you can keep running.
- If an individual has clogged or restricted arteries as a result of a high-fat diet, their body won’t be able to keep the oxygen supply to the heart up, causing the heart to stop pumping and resulting in a heart attack.
- Hence, before you start running, check with your doctor and see how much your body can adapt to a more active lifestyle!
Running Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Running across 29 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching about Running which is a way for humans and animals to move rapidly on foot.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Running Facts
- Equipping Runners
- Benefits of Running
- Tips for Runners
- Sprint in Action
- The Iconic Bib 261
- Olympics
- The Speedsters
- Local Hero
- Running Haiku
- Running Word Find
- Virtues of an Athlete
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of running?
Running is an excellent way to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors. Better sleep, burning calories, strengthening our bodies, and improving brain function are just some of the many health benefits of running.
Is there a danger to running?
Much like anything overdone, running too much or too often can potentially cause health problems or injuries. It is always best to consult your physician and get advice on the amount of physical activity that is beneficial to you.
How did running become a sport?
Run races supposedly started in Ancient Greece where people were said to have sprinted from one side of the game arena to the other. The first documented running event for sport was first documented in Ireland however, in the festival to remember the death of the Irish goddess Tailte in 1829 BCE.
Link/cite this page
If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.
Link will appear as Running Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 2, 2017
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.