As a big push to get Americans moving, the U.S. running industry has launched the first National Running Day. Across the country, people will lace up their shoes and yes… hit the ground running!   

It’s a day to come together as a nation and take strides toward leading healthier and fitter lives. Check out all the events going on today here.

Join in just by going for a run today. Then go to runningday.org to connect with other runners, find information on running events going on in your local community, course-mapping tools, training tips, and more.

Personally, I’m not a runner… but I will definitely go on a walk today to show my support for getting active!

Are you going for a run today?

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Not to be negative, but I wasn’t really surprised when I saw a new report about how so many Americans are missing their exercise goals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says about a third of adults are not meeting the minimum levels of physical activity from the newly released 2008 Guidelines.

Those guidelines recommend two and a half hours a week of moderate activity, like brisk walking, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous activity, like running. Doesn’t seem like that much, does it?

Other guidelines – from the government’s Healthy People 2010 – say we need at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity three days a week. Only half of those surveyed in the CDC’s report meet those goals.

And even stronger guidelines come from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) – that groups says we should exercise at least an hour a day to maintain our health and weight.

Why so many guidelines? Which ones – if any – do you follow?

Me – I’ve been slacking a little because of the evil winter season (we don’t get along), but my exercise levels are usually more along the guidelines of the IOM.

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Want to stay young… longer? You might want to lace up your tennis shoes and go for a jog. A new report from Stanford University School of Medicine shows regular running slows the effects of aging. Researchers found elderly joggers have fewer disabilities, stay fit longer than non-runners, and are half as likely to die early.

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