If you're getting a little tired of hearing your friends brag about the many half marathons they've run, we've got good news for you.
If you're running just 6 miles per week, you may be reaping more running-related benefits.
These findings come from a meta-analysis done by Mayo Clinic, which looked at various studies conducted on running over the past 30 years.
The consensus? First of all, running is really good for you.
In addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight, it's associated with lower risks of cancer, heart disease and stroke, as well as lower blood pressure and improved blood sugar.
Here's the best part: The analysis found people who ran a few times a week (logging about 6 miles total) got the same benefits as people running more than that.
While people running more than 20 miles per week did see a bit of an increased cardiovascular benefits, their running habits were also associated with increased heart dysfunction, risk of injury and death.
If we still haven't convinced you to take up running, here are two more fun facts: Running is also associated with a decreased risk of depression and increased self-confidence.
What are you waiting for? Lace up those sneakers and hit the pavement.
Citations: Effects of Running on Chronic Diseases and Cardiovascular and All Cause Mortality (Mayo Clinic), How Far Do You Have to Go to Score the Benefits of Running (Shape)
