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Why did YOU start running???
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Because, about 10 years ago, I was seriously bored on study leave for my GCSE's and thought jogging round a field would be more fun than Chemistry. It was - I don't do chemistry any more but I still run...though have progressed from the field.
I used to run at school and showed a little bit of talent for it, especially longer distances, and I always harboured the ambition to run a marathon. Once I left school however, whilst the ambition remained lurking in the background, nothing ever came of it and I never ran again.
Scroll forward 22 years and I’m an unfit and slightly overweight 40 year old. In June I discovered by accident that my wife had entered the Great North Run. This came as a complete surprise because she is not exactly built for running, has dodgy knees and had never shown even the slightest inclination towards running (or indeed walking for that matter). I knew I had to join her, and fortunately I happened to be working for the main sponsor BUPA so managed to get a place on their team. I started training and joined my local club to help with the motivational side. I worked hard for the next 3 months, whilst the wife managed about three sessions before it petered out. On race day I went round in 2 hours 8 minutes, the fastest I could do given the sheer number of people I had to overtake, but a runner was reborn.
Four years later and I’m still slightly overweight (probably more than I was then), and still having problems with shin splints, but I’m a lot fitter and I’ve lowered my half-marathon PB to 1:38. Next year I’ll be looking to try and get that closer to 1:30 and a sub-3:30 marathon, and I’m already looking forward to itFor me it was to have the sense of achievement in my otherwise boring housewife/school run existence!!
I have always been UNABLE to run....but now I CAN run.
I started in May only managing 30 secs jog then 3 mins walking!!! This Tuesday I managed 5.5k plod around my local streets!! I couldn't of been happier or more elated.......here's to entering my first 5K race at some point!!!!
updated totals:
Get Fit: 11
Lose Weight: 11
Inspired by watching race: 8
Feel Better About Oneself: 11
Bravado/Hell Of It/Bet etc: 6
Always Run: 2
Raise Money for charity: 1
Join In with someone else: 2
Ha ha ha,
I tell you what though i have just joined a club after running alone for about two years and i love it, i run faster and stronger due to having to chase after female lycra covered female bottoms which at present i cannot catch.
How to get fit - chase faster women in a club.
ha ha just jokes.,
Separated last November (2006) and knew if I didn't do somthing I would end up a couch potato. A friend suggested we ran together never looked back, beat his PB in the Bristol HM this year and then took another 2 mins 6 sec of my PB in Cardiff, (he's cheesed of with me!).
Now a hell of a lot fitter the road takes away all the stress of the day (especially Mondays!) and I feel that somthing is missing if I don't run.
Joined the local Tri club & looking forward to a full season next year.
Set my heart on running the London Marathon. Don't know why, was not a runner, never even watched it on tv, but it became a goal and thats that!
I started running again in March because I was getting, in the words of Alan Partridge, "a fat back". I used to run alot in my twenties and loved it so why did I ever give up?!!
Anyway times have changed - married with young children and a job that involves unsocial hours - so it's not easy to get out there and pound the streets. I go at least 3/4 times a week averaging around 20-25 miles and just ran a competitive 10K in 53 minutes. I've been bitten by the bug again and as I type I'm getting ready for a 5 miler before I leave for work!
Good for you Fandang. I like self-starters, people who do what they say they'll do. You either have a very understanding wife or a hide like a rhino.
Thanks Edski. My wife does encourage me although working a run around bath-time can be tricky!!
As I mentioned I'm leaving for a run shortly with that big question - what to eat/drink. Just had a cup of tea and munching my way through two slices of toast. I guess this is a topic for another thread?!!
I started running because I was heavier than my husband........not good!
Im lighter than him now though!!
I started running as a drunken bet with my Brother over 10 years ago. I was fed up listening to him go on about running the great north run . All these years later i have now completed 14 1/2 marathons and countless 10k's while he retired from running due to the birth of his two daughters.
I started running the day before my 50th birthday because I knew that if I left it any later I would be Too Old.
13 maras and an ultra later, having had a complete career change and run in some fantastic places around the world, I'm looking forward to 60 and the (remote) chance being first in category.
I shall have to choose the races carefully, though.
I started because smoking cigarettes feel amazing and I used to love them. The only thing that could stop me from enjoying them was running until I was about to puke my lungs up, til my hands shook for ten minutes after I stopped and I got one of those big blurred circles in the center of my vision. That'd stop me even looking at a pack of Marlboro for about three hours.
Like most people here who acheived their main goal, I kept going because it feels good, actually better than smoking.
I started running to improve my general fitness/stamina so that I could improve my karate. The weight loss has been a bonus.
I never considered myself a runner before I tried it, but at the moment I am thoroughly enjoying it. Currently increasing my distance (slowly) & giving some serious thought to entering a 12k early next year.
My dad was a runner and planted the seed. Didn't do much after school and then did Race for Life just after my friend's mum died of cancer when I was about 30. Then just built up from there to a half marathon with hubby just before our wedding (31). No more running for a couple of years then two pregnancies in quick succession got me on my feet again to work off the pounds. I also suffer from deppression and it really helps me keep a healthy mind. Got one FLM under my belt when my kids were just 1 and 2 (36) and now looking for the 2nd of hopefully many more marathons.