If you run, why?

It's so good for my mental and physical health - it's my go to when I am stressed but always gives me a lift. I particularly love running through my local woods, so green and cool!

I have a bit of atrophy so run in period knickers (hoping estriol and exercises will help eventually)! I don't think it's going to make things any worse but do check with whoever is treating your prolapse.

I like the feeling after. the sense on achievement is something else.

I hate running, literally hate it. Every step fucking kills me, I run like Phoebe. You know when you see a sad, middle aged woman running along the side of the road - that's me.

BUT running is amazing for me - it's the only exercise that shapes my fat thighs and gets rid of belly fat. I run daily along a coastal path next to the Mediterranean, it's the most beautiful route 😎

I run because I feel a relaxed and confident after. It's cheaper than therapy, gets me out of the house, and means I can eat an extra biscuit now and then without feeling too guilty. That's reason enough for me.

Mental health. Any other benefits are a bonus.

I’ve just started. I’ve lost a lot of weight, so partly to help me keep it off. I’ve no intention of doing park runs or races, it’s just a faster way of getting my steps up. Plus I live in glorious countryside so it’s pleasant and I’m not pounding tarmac. It also feels good that I can - I could barely walk uphill when I was 5 stones heavier.

All round fitness and because I’m bored and I love being active. I also hike, climb, and walk everywhere I can. I did 11km run/walk the other day and I loved it. I’m still trying to quit smoking and Im having my last alcoholic drink on Saturday for at least 3 months. I’m taking it quite seriously, I love it! I did my first 10k a few weeks ago and finished it in 1:35:17, running/walking the whole way. I plan on doing a half marathon next year.

I run for the sense of peace it gives me. For physical and mental wellness. It makes me happy and I feel mentally quiet after a good run. I’ve found I enjoy outdoors exercise and, in order to run long distances, it’s nudged me in the direction of resistance training and weightlifting. I find that doing something I enjoy enables me to explore other options and I am invested to support it.

i run alone and in groups, so it’s both a quiet solitary exercise and also a community-based exercise.

No such thing as a bad run; they’ve all given me something different and I love how that has helped me approach life differently.

I have a prolapse. It's not severe, thankfully, and I haven't noticed running affecting it one way or the other. Ive taken the view that a stronger set of pelvic and abdominal muscles must be a better support so am all in with running and core workouts at the gym.

I restarted running 2 years ago in my mid 50s as part of a big health kick for the 2nd half of my life. I took it up having lost enough weight (thanks Mounjaro) to not blow my knees up with every step, because committing to run a certain distance every week gives me a baseline level of fitness I never want to fall below, ever again. So it's a good benchmark.

But similar to others what I gain from it is waaaay above the baseline. It's an hour of me-time where I can think freely. It's time in nature. It's the great endorphin rush when I get back. It's not worrying about drinks and puddings at the weekend. It's being able to run for a train, school pickup or meeting without bursting into a sweat. And, like a PP, my asthma is so much more under control.

Plus, stalking Vinted for lovely Sweaty Betty running gear!

Those of you that run, do you find it affects your pelvic floor? This is what puts me off about running due to having a prolapse, I don’t want it to get worse. Have had mixed advice from physio and gynaecologist so wanted to hear from people who actually run

I love the treadmill too. I have balance and co-ordination issues so running on a treadmill it's one of the few activities that don't challenge them (no up and down pavements, no potholes, and compared to other sports no balls to catch or weird moves to do).
I do local races as with road closures I can run in the smooth middle.

I run because I'm lazy. Running takes less time from the front door than going to the gym and faffing about.

I need it to not be an obese pig. Have had to take it up again as currently I'm an obese pig.

But it does clear the mind and as I bumble along I do think 'oh, how did I get here'

I love running, but on the treadmill at the gym. I do parkrun, but I don’t enjoy running outside.

I run for fitness and bone health. Plus, it gives you great legs.

I live in the suburbs of a big city so def not for the views generally
its great for my mental health but I also feel physically good for doing it

I get satisfaction from doing well at parkruns and races

I ran mostly alone for years but have recently joined a group and the social aspect is brilliant, even though I ran happily without it for years

I want to be in good health for as long as possible, it keeps my mental health good and helps me sleep. I like that it helps to keep me lean and toned because I would hate to be fat.

If I run outside, I always run in nice surroundings as being in nature makes me feel happy, calm and makes me think clearly and put things in perspective. I always feel great after a run.

Thinking time
calm and quiet
to see the wildlife in our woods and lanes
because it feels good afterwards
because I am more vain than I am lazy 😁

It’s immediate - decide to run, put on trainers and sports bra and off I go. No class schedule, travel to the gym (which I also love but differently).

It’s at my pace (see above re gym classes).

It quiets my mind and allows me to think clearly

Weight loss and maintenance. Health in general.

Because when the breathing, the music and the pace hit right, it feels like flying.

For the way I feel afterwards
To go with my dog who loves it
To catch up with my friends who run
To explore a place I am on holiday in quickly
To work off the wine I drink

Nothing has given me the same sense of pride as running long distance. I see amazing places on my feet, I sleep well, I never regret a run, I’ve made friends for life. Even bad runs are good. You get the picture.

yeh, I am running obsessed.

It helps me regulate. It calms my anxiety. It helps me sleep. It stops me from feeling trapped by my life.

I run for lots of reasons but I think the main one is 'because I can'. So many people can't due to illness, disability, injury and I feel lucky that I have that freedom. At a leisurely pace, I don't find it hard to just keep going for miles and you just see so much beauty in the world

So I can eat more & sleep better, lol.
Because it's minimal equipment & short time for high intensity.
To get outdoors & see things.
It doesn't aggravate my other injuries.

I run with a friend, we chat and run so it's a social thing for me as well as exercise.

For physical and mental health. The feeling of freedom I get running through the countryside. The social element, camaraderie and banter of run club. The excitement of race day and the sense of achievement when you’ve done something hard. The bonding time with dds and how I’ve been able to pace dd1 recently and help her achieve her goals.

its also great to be able to eat pretty much whatever I like and not worry about gaining weight. Oh, yes, and just generally feeling very fit and capable in other aspects of life because of the running. Lots of reasons really