How did running improve your life?

[Cherrystrawbs]

I’m not a runner. I’m not terribly unfit; I walk A LOT and used to go to the gym before although I’m not sure I worked myself very hard.

My life in general, my mindset, emotional and physical health has all become a bit stale and I want to change things up again; feel better about myself and proud and set myself a challenge I guess.

September seems like a good time as it feels like the start of something new and I’ve given myself the end of the year as my end point.

I’d like to start running - partly because I want to lose weight; could do with losing a good two stone. But more because I want to become more disciplined and gain a sense of achievement and balance which I think it might help with.

I’ve decided ti try and run every day from now until the end of the year. Not for very long and at a very slow pace. Yesterday I ran for 16 mins very slowly and then walked for 3 and then ran for another 5. I know there will be some days I won’t be able to run but if I can run every day, even if only for ten minutes, I’m excited to see what changes it might bring.

and I guess this thread is way of keeping me encouraged and also accountable.

I’ve really had a rough couple of years and feeling very low and I want to get back to finding out who I am and feeling a sense of contentment. I think this might help me.

I did the couch to 5K programme about a decade ago - it felt like an achievable goal for a non-runner. I've run reasonably consistently since then and am currently training for my second (and last!) marathon. I don't get the endorphin high thing and I don't ache to be running like some people seem to - but I love feeling strong and for, and there's nothing else that's quite as effective for that. Give it a go! And I'd definitely recommend the couch to 5k - it's free and very well designed to make it achievable.

Personally I'd prefer to run every other day, or 4 times per week. Gives your legs a bit of a rest and helps prevent injury. You could always do some weights or non impact exercise on your days off if you want to be active every day.

I always find running hard to get into, then one day a switch is flipped and I can run for miles comfortably and I love it. I find that it's almost like meditation as I breath in for two steps out for two steps and all I do is concentrate on my breathing.

Also it keeps my legs really toned!

Good luck x

Its helped me manage work/life stress over the last 20 years.

Pre dd I used to run in the evening after work and it acted like a buffer between work life and home/social life. I was a much calmer, happier, nicer person after a run.

Post dd I run first thing in the morning and it sets me up for the day - I feel calm, prepared, positive.

Never felt the need to do races/marathons etc. For me running is personal not competitive. 5k, 30 mins, done.

And love that I can pack my trainer and run on hols if I want - always nice to run somewhere new.

It is great for stress as long as you don’t take it too seriously - unless you turn out to be naturally very good you will probably make slow progress and if you’re a high-achieving sort of perfectionist this can be off putting! However learning to deal with this is also a valuable lesson!

I don’t love the actually run bit of it, that’s always kind of a sweaty slog. Finishing is always very good. Being out in the world and breathing fresh air is excellent, and it helps you really appreciate different seasons as you realise the grey, drizzly day that made your heart sink when you opened the curtains turns out to be excellent running weather. You really breathe in properly and smell the different smells, see in peoples’ living rooms once it starts getting dark in and wildlife if you’re in the countryside in summer. That’s what makes me feel good.

Head to the Exercise topic and there'll be others in a similar position. 🙂

I'd warn against a daily running streak at this point as your body needs rest to strengthen up. You'll feel fine with your approach until about day 4 or 5 before the aches really settle in. I've done Run Every Day January and even as an experienced runner taking it relatively gently, it's hard to get through that stage.

C25k works because it builds up stamina by time on feet and gradually increases the running proportion. At weeks 3, 5 & 6 it also dials back a bit for rest, and running plans for any distance do this to reduce fatigue and injuries.

The intervals of C25k don't suit everyone, so if you're going for a run-all approach have a plan with rest days and not pushing forwards all the time. TBH if you can run 16mins, you can jump in at about the week 5 mark where the walking breaks tail off.

I started really slowly about 5 years ago, I sort of followed couch to 5k but did my own thing to some extent. I get a massive sense of achievement thinking back to my first run where I was completely out of breath after a couple of minutes to now where I can run 10k without stopping at all. I'll never be fast, I'm still overweight (though much less so than when I started) but it makes such a positive difference to my life I can't imagine not doing it now. Being out in all weathers is great as others have said, it has a massive impact on my mental well being and the feeling of being fit and strong is amazing! Would recommend doing a few runs a week though, rather than every day. Easier to achieve and easier on your body too. Good luck!

I love the runners high and sense of achievement
Exploring the local area
Exercising in nature
The running community (parkruns and online)
Feeling fit and energetic in daily life

I had an injury earlier in the year and really, really missed running, body and mind!

Wow! I really could have written all of your post! I would really like to start running as a means to improve my well being/ perhaps lose a couple of stone. I have a reasonably decent pair of trainers but nothing else runner-y- hoping a pair of leggings and a t-shirt might suffice?!

Good luck!!!

it gave me energy, helped me lose weight, I slept better and I felt good about my level of fitness and my figure and the personal goals was good for my mental health.

not so good things about running, was that it was not great for my knees, hips or pelvic floor as its quite high impact, so if youre a bit hypermobile or have had kids, please be aware of signs of it affecting those

I have been running on and off for years, more off. I’ve been consistent for a couple of months now, finding it great for the sense of freedom and the switch from how I normally use my mind and body. If you notice niggles or shin pain you have to take more rest days, it’s a different activity for your body and you are only meant to increase mileage gradually, is it 10-15% per week for experienced runners or something? If you don’t recover you could have to take months off while shin splints gets fixed, it’s depressing and I don’t recommend it at all. There’s no prize for pushing yourself too hard.

I've been regularly running for a few years now, with breaks whilst having DC. It helps my physical and mental health, improves sleep and energy levels, and there's something really invigorating about exercising outside and appreciating the seasons/nature. Like a pp, it's not competitive for me......I tend to do 5k 2/3 times per week and a longer run at the weekend if I can manage it. Summer has been hard though, I don't enjoy running in really humid weather. I think spring and autumn are the nicest running times. Good luck!

Also, it allows me to have a few treats and some wine at the weekend without gaining too much weight!

Experiment with what to wear before you buy special clothes. I found I can’t stand to have anything tight or extra around my waist, so this whole running belt thing is a total no for me. I also found I can’t stand wearing a t shirt until it gets pretty cold. Vest only for me. Lots of people can’t stand anything on their legs, shorts only through winter for them.

I'm not one of those natural runners who can just go out and enjoy the activity, so for me it's about working towards a goal, so entering a 5k or 10k event and then following a training plan, or even beating previous times on a particular route.

I do enjoy going for a run with friends as the chatting takes my mind off it, and we usually go for a coffee and cake afterwards.

I would advise against running everyday if you are a beginner as your body needs to recover in between.

Try Couch to 5K which will get you running 3 times a week amd ease you into running continuously for 30 minutes by the end of the programme.

For me, I have always been a casual runner since my early 20s but only running for up to 45 minutes twice a week. After lockdown however, I increased my weekly mileage and go 3/4 times a week and have joined a running club.

Running gives me a great sense of well being, and I enjoy the freedom and strength I feel when out on the trails and when the roads are quieter at 6 in the morning. Because I do it in the morning, I already feel like I've achieved something for the day amd feel better prepared for the rest of it.

Thanks so much for all your messages and advice. I hear what you’re saying about not running every day - although I feel that I’m running so so slowly and only for 16 minutes and plan on increasing this at a snails pace that I can’t see how it could possibly knacker me out?

saying that, I didn’t go for a run today and so failed! Ah. My good intentions already failing. So I have (already) taken an unintentional rest day today. I will go for a run tomorrow. I’m going to try and run at 5am or 6am in the morning which is what I did yesterday. It just makes me pleased to start the day having already achieved something phenomenal (for me)

As part of keeping myself accountable, I’m updating here. I went for a run this morning and just feel great and really surprised myself. I ran for 27 minutes without stopping - I ran very slowly, it was a slow plod but I’m just so pleased with myself.

im going to go for my next run on Tuesday.

if I can run 3-4 times a week until the end of the year, I’ll be really pleased with myself!

@Cherrystrawbs good for you! I did couch to 5k three years ago and really loved it. I want to do it again but keep putting it off. My aim is to start again this week.......

That's great! I started slowly too, I did couch to 5k and started running 3 x a week when I got to 5k.

It took a while to get into it and I had to force myself the first few months. Now I love it and run regularly.

Been running for 15 years or so, massively helps my mental health. I also love getting out into nature. I live in Shropshire and my run route is beautiful.

I did coach to 5k in the spring and like PP really recommend it. Running for 1 minute was a bit accomplishment for me initially. I got to running for 28 mins (about 4k) and then heatwaves and summer holidays caused me to fall off the wagon. I've just joined the gym so that I can run early mornings/evenings when it's dark in the winter months and feel safe. I went for my first session this morning and was pleased to discover I could run for 30mins (at a slightly slower pace than before). My mood has instantly lifted and I can't wait to go again.

Good luck OP. I think running either works for you or it doesn't. If you're already able to do 16 mins, you're a runner!

I am planning on my first run in ages tomorrow morning.

Couch to 5k would be good for you.

I love;

The freedom of it. Running for ages, wind in your face.
It clears your head. It’s you time.
I remember feeling really low (menopause) and going for a run, and coming back thinking hey, life’s good (endorphin rush)
I can run with my dog
The weight literally drops off

All I need now is to make myself get back into it. It’ll just take 1 run.

Also, I did a few 10k races and felt it was a major achievement in my life. I can run 10k no problem, it’s just your mind that plays devil during the race. Finishing those races felt like I’d won gold at the olympics.

Good luck OP. Treat yourself to some nice running stuff. Don’t run with music. It’s dangerous and use the time to think about YOU.

I have been running pretty consistently for almost 4 years. I had just started on antidepressants and decided to start c25k again (I'd done it a few years before then stopped).

It changed my life. I love running now! I don't run fast at all, but it's great for clearing my mind, or to set me up for the day if I go in the morning. I've recently broken my arm so haven't been able to run for a few weeks and I'm desperate to get back to it.