What inspires you to run? There could be so many answers to this question depending on who you ask. It could be for the health and wellbeing benefits, for social reasons or just to support friends and family. You might not even currently run but like the idea of it but don’t know where to start. Whatever your reasons, it is relatively cheap and easy to start and can be done anywhere, which is good news given the uncertainty of the next few months.

Any preconceptions about having to be super fit and healthy or have some basic skill level should be side-lined as everyone has to start somewhere. Runners come in all shapes and sizes and you would also be surprised at how many other people might feel the same way as you.

Studies have shown that running has a long list of known health benefits such as some of the examples below

• Helps you feel calmer and happier
• Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
• Helps with weight loss or maintaining healthy weight
• Positive way to release stress
• Helps to improve good habits
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Can improve mental health

I first started running to lose weight for my wedding. I was determined that I wanted to look at my wedding photos and rather than body shame and pick faults with myself I wanted to look at them the way they should be looked at, amazing memories, a fantastic day with family and friends and feeling proud.

I am not going to lie. When I started running it was hard, it hurt, I doubted my ability, I really hated it at times, but I kept at it and I remembered why I started in the first place. I set small achievable goals for training, which mentally kept me going and kept me focused. This was important because setting larger goals and targets, which I might not have achieved, would have had a negative effect on my efforts and would have no doubt knocked my confidence and motivation.

When I started running, I was working in the NHS in Birmingham. It was stressful, quite traumatic at times and I believe I was starting to suffer with depression, so running ended up not just being a way for me to lose weight but also a way for me to clear my head. It allowed me to escape reality and give me some freedom and fresh air.

Mental health is so complex and can affect all of us whether directly or indirectly. For me, I felt the depression really swallowed me up, I would isolate myself, not want to see people and I felt a burden to others, and I became extremely unhappy. Running really became my release, it gave me the time to be on my own plus it gave me focus and a drive and the endorphins definitely helped me.

The fitter I got the more adventurous I got and that’s sort of how I got into triathlon. I tried out a swimming session, joined the tri club, volunteered for some events, did my first triathlon, got the bug and then it just got a little crazy to the point that now, I am part of the Great Britain age group triathlon team for the 4^th year! I have travelled around the world, visiting the most incredible places, and I am part of such an inclusive, supportive, like-minded community, where I’ve made friends for life with people I would have never come across if it wasn’t for the sport we love.

So from ‘giving running a go’ to maybe lose a little bit of weight, to beating my mental health issues, losing the weight, find new relationships, representing my country and generally allowing me to find myself and be the best version of me, that’s my motivation!

What’s yours?

For more information & advice from Optimum Health Coaching please see their website optimumhealthcoaching.com or email Claire at claire@optimumhealthcoaching.com