Running feels effortless for some, while others struggle for every bit of progress. Whether you find it easy or challenging, you may ponder, “Is running in my genes?” Well, it could be.

Oh, the sheer thrill of running – just you, the wind, and the rhythmic pounding of your own footsteps. Add some rain, mud, and rocks for the perfect cinematic experience. Who needs Netflix when you’ve got the great outdoors, right? The ecstasy of leaping over rocks and splashing through puddles, feeling completely liberated and at peace. It’s like a poetic dance, but with more rain and less grace.

Now, let’s talk about the global running phenomenon – because who wouldn’t want to join the exclusive club of 64 million runners in the U.S. alone? Marathons are the new brunch, with participants practically doubling from 2021 to 2022. Parkrun, the pinnacle of community-led events, boasts a whopping 8.5 million registered runners. Running is so accessible; you don’t need a gym membership or anything fancy – just throw on some trainers and off you go. Pure simplicity, or is it? Are you truly a runner if you’re not sprinting like Ciara Mageean breaking Parkrun records in under 15 minutes?

Oh, genetics, the magical ingredient that separates the fast from the not-so-fast. Ciara, with her impressive list of achievements, credits her natural competitiveness – because who needs to know they’re super-fast from the beginning? It’s much more exhilarating to discover it later, right? But let’s not forget the illustrious “speed gene” or ACTN3, the gene that decides whether you’re destined for sprinting glory or just a leisurely jog. The secret is out – your DNA holds the key to your marathon dreams.

And now, enter the groundbreaking study – researchers scrutinizing genes like detectives on a case. A study revealing that, surprise, some people improve more than others during an eight-week running spree. Drumroll, please – it’s the “warrior gene,” associated with aggression and risk-taking behavior, that might just make you run faster. Less than 31% of people have the genetic makeup to truly revel in the joys of running improvement. So, if you’re not part of that elite genetic club, don’t worry – just run, and run, and run. Maybe one day you’ll defy the odds and activate that warrior gene. Or maybe you’ll just enjoy the rain and mud, and that’s perfectly okay too. Happy sprinting, or not!