Cardio Isn’t the Enemy: Why We Secretly (and Now Publicly) Love Running

September 18, 2024

For a while, cardio took a backseat in our conversations—but not anymore. We’re back to talk about running, sweating, and yes, even jogging at 4.0 mph on a treadmill. It might be slow, but it’s our kind of fun.

In the fitness world, loving cardio can feel like a dirty little secret—especially when strength training steals the spotlight. But we’re here to say it out loud: we love cardio, and we’re not sorry about it.

From “Never Ran a 5K” to 5K Lee

Confession time: we didn’t always understand what a 5K was. Is it an event? A distance? Both? Turns out, it's 3.1 miles—and yes, you can walk it, jog it, or run it.

We used to think you couldn’t say you “ran a 5K” unless you did it non-stop without walking. But after training, pacing ourselves, and running an actual 5K race, we realized the goal isn’t perfection—it’s movement you enjoy.

And now? One of us is officially known as 5K Lee on the streets.

Slow Miles Are Still Miles

Here’s the truth: a 12-minute mile pace is underrated. It lets you breathe, talk, and enjoy the run—without hating every second. We’re not aiming for race medals here. We're aiming for sustainable movement that supports mental and physical health.

In fact, we’d rather “jog” at 4.0 mph than burn out sprinting at 6.0. Comfort and consistency beat misery every time.

Training for a Half Marathon (Sort Of)

We ran a half-marathon relay—one of us trained on the treadmill, the other just showed up. But even training indoors at a modest pace helped us go from casual runs to longer distances.

Pro tip: treadmill running at 4.5 mph might look slow, but it’ll get your heart pumping. And if it keeps you moving for an hour without burnout? That’s a win.

Cardio Isn't Just Running—Here’s What Counts

Not a runner? No problem. Cardio is anything that gets your heart rate up and keeps it there for an extended time. That could mean:

Brisk walking (especially helpful if you sit all day)
Biking
Rowing or kayaking
Ellipticals or stair climbers
Dancing, hiking, or even chasing toddlers

Cardio isn’t one-size-fits-all. The key is to find what works for you and make it consistent.

How Much Cardio Do You Need?

The CDC recommends:

150 minutes/week of moderate cardio (like walking or light jogging)
OR 75 minutes/week of vigorous cardio (like running or HIIT)
Or a combination of both

Breaking it down: 30 minutes, five days a week. Totally doable—even with a busy schedule.

Our trick? Get 4,000 steps before 7 a.m. That jumpstarts our day and makes hitting our 10,000-step goal fee effortless.

Your Heart Doesn’t Care If You Sprint or Stroll

If running hurts your knees or feels miserable, skip it. You can achieve great heart health without pounding the pavement. The goal is to elevate your heart rate, not to punish yourself.

Whether you're a fair-weather jogger, a treadmill warrior, or someone who just likes long walks and good playlists, you’re doing cardio right if it keeps you coming back.

Final Takeaway: Find Your Pace & Move

Cardio doesn’t have to be fast. It doesn’t even have to be running. But it should make you feel good, get your blood pumping, and help you build a stronger heart.

So go ahead—jog, walk, dance, or slow-run your way into better health. And maybe, just maybe, claim your own street name while you're at it.

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