I’ve been running on and off for as long as I can remember. But here’s the thing, I’ve never been a particularly “good” runner, if you’re going by the standard belief that you should be picking up the pace and stretching your distance with each run (spoiler: I ran a marathon and I still don’t believe this). So, why do I get up early on a Saturday morning, or lace up in the dark after work, and push myself out for a run? Because it’s so good for your mind.
Let’s not pretend that serious mental health issues can be “cured” by going for a run, but giving it a go for even fifteen minutes can be enough to shake yourself out of a slump. Running is something I’ve come back to time and time again in times of uncertainty, it gives me a break from the day, and my own mindset, which is so often needed for a lift. There are so many times when I’ve thought the last thing I want to do is go outside but as soon as I’ve done it I feel ten times better, thanks to those endorphins.
Murakami articulates the calm, almost meditative, state you can find yourself in on a run far better than I can.
“I’m often asked what I think about as I run. Usually the people who ask this have never run long distances themselves. I always ponder the question. What exactly do I think about when I’m running? I don’t have a clue.” What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
When I’m running it’s almost as if the physical effort it takes to stay upright, keep breathing and put one foot in front of the other takes up all of the room in my brain. All that’s left is space for observing the things around you (the more dogs spotted the better). Thoughts and feelings might wash in and out but they don’t linger.
Want to give it a go? These are my top tips for beginner runners:
- Start slow. It might sound obvious but if you go out too fast you’re going to burn out quicker. Start with a gentle pace, alternating with walking if and when you need to. I’ve never personally got on with it but so many people rave about the couch to 5K plans which guide you through walking/running intervals.
- Soundtrack. Like everything in life, running is better with a strong soundtrack. Pick your favourite songs, pump up the volume and get out there. You’ll find that music is a welcome distraction from the sound of your breathing too.
- Route plan. If you plan your routes ahead you reduce the risk of getting to the middle of the park and finding you’ve got a long slog back again. Apps like Strava and MapMyRun are great for this.
- Find your stride. By this I don’t mean your pace, more your running rhythm. Some people enjoy getting up and out first thing, others will find they are better fuelled at the end of the day and have a much better run then. Don’t be disheartened if the first few don’t feel quite right, it might be that you haven’t found what works yet. Equally, I’m a big advocate for stopping on a run whenever you want – half the reason I struggle to improve my times is because I always want to take a photo of the horses in the fields (or that’s what I tell myself anyway!
