Why on earth, you may think, would a person want to put themselves through the ordeal of running? Why would you put your body through the agony of running instead of lounging back on the sofa with a dreadfully cringey programme and a cup of tea? Its just common sense to stay at home, right?
Well, believe it or not, there are many upsides and benefits to running. Ken Jones, who has been running since the 1980’s - inspired by his father - has travelled around the UK and further, tackling mountains, 50 milers and encouraging others to run too. He now runs with the Stour Striders in Chartham. One of Ken’s favourite features of running is “the exploring part: visiting different places, spectacular scenery, meeting people from all different backgrounds and cultures.” Running can allow you to become an adventurer and be able to discover and admire places you didn’t know existed and things you didn’t know you could do. He also believes “it gives a lot of freedom to explore different places, and have some ‘me time’ away from other pressures of life”. Which I think we all need at the moment!
But how can you start running? There are plans such as “couch to 5k” designed to help you get into the swing of things. Ken advised to “make that first step and get outdoors - you won’t regret it.” Even if you are worried that a million different things will go wrong, they probably won’t and it is better to just push away those feelings and, well, run away from them!
Running in a group allows you to be safer and surrounds you with people who can encourage and help you to keep on going. Ken runs with the Stour Striders, a social running group based in Chartham. He feels that the “mutual support between runners and the ‘banter’ between them makes for a really good experience”. It also gives an incentive to go out “when otherwise the TV and settee beckon”. Additionally, if you are a beginner, our avid runner Ken suggests “that joining a group will be beneficial for most people for social and safety reasons. I would also suggest asking friends who run about local groups, focusing on those groups which appear more social”. This can really help to support you to go above and beyond your best.
So if you are reading this, knowing that you dodge every opportunity and chance given to run. Maybe think about it. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
