A 2016 survey by England Athletics found 74% of 13,000+ participants agreed running significantly improves their mental health and overall wellbeing.
Half the battle occurs in the mind. Whether it’s the rational fear of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) or fearing ‘the wall’, there are a fair few factors to consider before lacing up your trainers.
The highest hurdle for me is always getting out the door at all. I’ll make a pact with myself, usually past midnight, to hit the road or trail later that morning – only to still be cocooned in my duvet until midday.
Whenever I do manage to commit to a run, my focus shifts toward rhythm. If I can sustain a solid breathing tempo then my legs should take care of themselves. Fartlek, Swedish for ‘speed pacing’, can quench tediousness. Lampposts can act as measurable markers for which to alternate speed between, though any old object or occurence will do. I like to slowly jog when I spot a dog and sprint for thirty seconds if a yellow car drives by. Fartlek’s fun factor is all in the freedom to formulate whatever rules one chooses. It can be an erratic or rhythmic means of engaging a run with the surrounding environment.
Music is another instrument for pacing; “Don’t you dare slow down on this song”, I tell myself. It’s all good until Kanye’s twelve-minute-long ‘Last Call’ plays.
A common mishap in the running realm is the instinctive desire to have the best tech. It principally detracts from what running’s all about, and novices need not stress over expensive gear. Undeniably, a decent pair of trainers can drastically improve performance and fancy gadgets ease running’s banalities. Even if it’s your preference to look the part on a run, just do it.
I spoke with Gwylym, a 31-year-old activity organiser, triathlete and member of the South West Road Runners, about the thrills and spills of running. Born in New Zealand, Gwyl took to the athletics track aged seven, following his father’s footsteps as a competitive sprinter. “My mother would drive us around the island. I got a Casio watch which was such a revolution. I’d time how long it’d take my mum to drive us wherever and try to match it.”
“If I go for just half an hour a day, I’m a much nicer person!”
Kids run as their bodies are fresh and energised, but what drives someone to continuously rack up the miles into adulthood? Gwyl tells me, “I use my running, as a mental health thing, so if I go for just half an hour a day, I’m a much nicer person! I don’t run either with music either. I really run to clear my head.”
On an October evening, I found myself in a strange exchange. Four kilometres into my biweekly run, severely underdressed for the cold, I had Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathoner of all time, in my ears giving me his words of wisdom via a Nike Run playlist. Jogging on the spot waiting for the green man, I could feel a pair of scornful eyes. A woman turned to me and asked, “why are you running?” I could sense the look of disrelish on her face, and thought to myself ‘twenty minutes into jog and chill and she gives you that look’.
In response to her baffling question, I replied “why aren’t you running?” in my best attempt at a Nigerian accent. I took a chance. Embarrassingly for me, she didn’t catch the gag; a reference to an iconic internet meme, a scene from the Nollywood movie ‘Pretty Liars’. If, like the equally bemused girl, the reference zooms straight over your head, then all I can do is highly recommend digesting Nollywood dramas, they’re sensational.
“I get its good for you, but isn’t it a bit lame? At least catch your breath at the lights.” With my BPM already through the roof, I saved myself the bother of rowing with a random. “Grow up. Health is wealth.”, I resumed my marathon mentor and continued on my way. There were three takeaways from this odd encounter. One; if someone thinks running is lame, they’re probably lame themselves. Two; you may look uncool running; you’re blowing out your arse, dripping in sweat and trying to extinguish a burning stitch. But in reality, all you’re doing is drastically improving your fitness for a more prosperous innings. Thirdly; not everyone’s on the same level of meme references.
So why should everyone consider running? Obviously, it does wonders for your physical and mental state. It’s also incredibly rewarding for introverts – as a proud hermit I can wholeheartedly stand by this. Most runners are socially sound and outgoing and mixing with different personalities proves positive for all. As trite as it may sound, appreciating having the ability to walk at all is worthwhile. One could only imagine how much someone with a disability or physical impairment would give to be able to do so. Likewise, being able to run in a safe environment without the fear of being in a war-torn or politically hostile setting is a blessing often taken for granted by most.
Getting over the cultural perception painting runners as reckless road-rulers or try-hard fitness freaks is constructive. If you’re somebody who scoffs at the mere suggestion of running, then all the more reason to leave your comfort zone and give it a go.
Featured image courtesy of RunSociety via Flickr:
*This article was first published in December 2020*