CREDIT: TRAINBODYANDMIND.COM

"I've made some of my best decisions while running," so said John, a friend of mine. For him, running solo while most of the rest of us still sleep brought clarity of mind. When he found out that I like to jog, he tried to persuade me to join him. Unfortunately, my jogging routine was nothing compared to his trillion-kilometre crackof- dawn runs and I had to humbly decline his offer for his own good. There would have been nothing but embarrassment for him if anyone had ever found that I was his running partner. Plus he would have been doing a lot of waiting.

There are of course disadvantages to running, but the only one John ever mentioned had to do with his timing. He ran so early it would often still be dark. No doubt skunks have white stripes for the very purpose of being visible to runners at 5:20 a.m. Nevertheless, John would occasionally stumble upon one. Thus far he had not been sprayed. But the possibility was always there. It has been well documented in action movies that people can outrun fireballs, but skunk spray? I have my doubts.

I started jogging in university. I had never been much of an athlete, so this was a serious challenge for me. Every morning, I'd put on my running outfit and cover a kilometre and half or so. Not that much, I admit, but for me a considerable accomplishment.

Soon I had a running partner, Walter. Walter was a little more ambitious. Six laps every morning. What's that, about two and a half K? I wasn't used to running at his clip, but somehow I managed. Sort of. Well enough to stagger off the track each morning.

And that's when it all seemed worth it. For the next 30 minutes or so I was high.

Over time, the high hasn't really stayed with me. People ask me, "Don't you feel good after a few laps?" I reply that my body usually starts protesting after about 40 paces and it doesn't stop protesting till I stop jogging.

Still, I do it, and if you are able to run but have never gotten around to it, I recommend it. Besides possibly giving you some temporary clarity of mind and a daily high with no after-effects, there are other advantages. A big one for me has been the elimination of headaches. I used to get them with some frequency. Since I started jogging again a few years ago, they are far less frequent. They are less intense and don't last.

Also, running affects the rest of my day. Somehow, giving my heart and lungs a workout, not to mention giving exercise to a hundred other systems in my body, seems to be just the thing for feeling a little more alert and energetic. Of course, coffee helps too.

Then there's the economic angle. Jogging or running is, in the words of many a graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University, "dirt cheap." All you need is a pair of running shoes. Well, in most jurisdictions you also need a little more clothing, but you get the picture. Not a lot of capital outlay required. Besides that, the world is your gym. Sidewalks and trails are free. Oval tracks are there for the taking behind high schools and around soccer fields all across this great land.

And whenever you need to spice up your routine, you can always throw in some stretches, push-ups, and bends at no extra charge. As a matter of fact, I've built up a quite impressive (to me) routine of such things and, well, the results speak for themselves, though modesty prevents me from flaunting them.

Some will naturally ask, "Will jogging or running improve my grades?" Believe it: your grades will improve. Studies show it. Actually, I don't know if studies show it, but they should. The physical exercise will affect every physical organ in your body, including the source of improved grades: your brain. Besides, there's feeling of success that comes from doing a run each day. And that can motivate you to find that same feeling of success from staying on top of your assignments.

Running. With any luck, your report card will thank you.
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