Jogging vs Running

Is there a difference, most of us would ask. Apparently there is. To some people running seems very intimidating, so to make it seem easy and doable they christened it jogging! Actually that is not far from the truth. The difference lies not so much in the speed as most people would imagine, but the seriousness with which you approach the two activities. So it is not as if moving in a relaxed manner is jogging, and moving fast is running.

It is the seriousness with which you train and prepare towards the goal of running that qualifies as running. On the other hand you may be a fast mover, but if you indulge in it on the side, and use it more to relax your body and mind then you are definitely a jogger. No wonder one has heard of running contests, and never jogging ones.

You may also call jogging the stepping stone to running. While running requires a person to be quite fit, jogging can be undertaken by relatively unfit persons as it is not that taxing. Running being more strenuous is more effective than jogging when it comes to achieving fitness faster. Jogging on the other hand causes less wear and tear of the body and is to that extent safer than running.

To the more technically oriented when you run at a speed which is less than 6 kilometers per hour, you are actually jogging! Another interesting take on jogging describes it as a cooling down process after a vigorous run. This enables a serious runner to recoup energy for a more vigorous run a little later. Yet another interesting one is how often one runs. The ones who are regular are runners, and the one who are intermittent are joggers.

Perhaps the best distinction would be to describe a jog as a slow, steady and monotonous trot, while running is an activity which is faster than walking. Serious runners take offence at their exertions being referred to as jogging, but increasingly the distinction is getting blurred, and jogging has gained in respectability.

At the end of the day you may call it what you are comfortable with. The fact of the matter is that both are a perfect way of keeping fit, and losing those extra pounds. So if you want to hit the track and jog them off or run and get rid of them is entirely up to you.

Summary:
1. Jogging is for the faint hearted, running for the serious athletes.
2. Jogging is a relaxed affair, whereas running requires goals, determination and commitment.
3. Jogging is a stepping stone to running. People graduate from gentle jogging to more serious running.
4. Running is more strenuous exercise than jogging.
5. Jogging is much gentler on the body than running.