Why do you run?: - Bridge to 10K
Why do you run?
Interesting that I wanted to put 2 things down & both seem to be the two that, so far, people are choosing...
Me, too. Plus the blingy.
Exactly the same here x
I would like to put more than one option! I also run to be fit and healthy and because I love it! 
me too!
Hi Ju Ju I also like the focus of it too
Really need two options. Fit and healthy is why I started but now I need the challenge of aiming for a time or distance. It is the challenge that keeps me running.
Ideally 2, fit and healthy and to support my mental health and overall wellbeing 👍🏻
Same for me.
I started off running on my own for health and fitness, but now I go to parkrun it is for social and wellbeing
Hi! Can you respond to my pm please? xx
I hit the wrong button
OK, no worries 😊
I suppose I am in several categories. I work contracts on major construction projects, often in remote locations. I am 56. Last project I was suffering with shoulder and neck pain and I walked to the camp clinic. Took my vitals and said I was tachycardic. I had walked 50m. Years ago I would see colleagues taking a row of pills with their breakfast and I promised myself I would not get like that. We were talking about me going on BP tabs, statins, anti-depressants, pain meds and with the possibility of diabetes to follow. I was having (almost) none of it! I opted for BPtabs and some sleeping tablets to overcome some of the other issues. The BP ones were 2 drugs one of which made me pee a lot so I got a reputation for having to dash out of the boardrooms! The sleeping tabs were diazepam which I would take about once per week to get a really good nights sleep.
18 months on. No tablets. I run up to 20km per week, which would be more by now but have had an achilies problem, I am still overweight but I have been chunky most of my life. I go to the gym 2-4 times per week including 2 spinning classes. Onwards and upwards. I also have a wall of bling with 15 5km finishing medals on it and have signed up for my first 10 k.
So:-
Bling
Fit and healthy
Mental wellbeing
Weight loss
wow thats transformational. Huge well done on turning your life around
and think of the drug costs you saved the NHS! Well done!
You are an inspiration!
Congratulations on the determination. Good luck with the first 10k race!
Fabulous Jonno!
that is such an uplifting post Jonno. so pleased to read it. Running has changed your life . keep enjoying
Thanks. I have yet to do a 10k race, had one booked but it got cancelled. I do a race at your pace one at the moment and am on 65miles a week. Yesterday I did my first double header, 5.30am I did 5k normal run then at 7pm last night I did an 8k race. I finished 49th out of 49! In the mend category. Not sure that is 100% correct as I passed 3 blokes walking, one of whom hopped of a minibus a little later! I am not downhearted, I was the oldest entrant, it was 32 degrees and I actually ran at a pretty respectable pace. Other entrants were from the Army and the Athletics federation. I ache a bit today, walked it off a bit on the treadmill but I have 42kms still to do this month so I am going to have to push myself.
ANYONE:- send a PM if you want to hook up on strava!
I also wanted to put more than one option. I run for the high and the improvement to my mood, and because it makes me feel strong and focused. I guess that really encompasses 'fit and healthy'.
Like many people I put "fit and healthy" but I also really liked "to give me a focus" - that's true too, and I never thought it would be when I started a year ago. I do enter for events (I came last in a 10k yesterday, go me!) but that's not *why* I run - knowing that the events are coming up keeps me going out even when the weather is horrible or I feel less than 100%.
I did a 5 k in Nicosia a couple of weeks ago. Finished midfield with a PB which I was chuffed about. I then filtered "Men", a bit lower than midfield. I then filtered the 55-59 bracket. 7 of us. I was second! The guy who was first is 59 so next year I don't have to worry about him! 
I also noticed in multi distance events I score better but last year I did a 5k only event and was gutted until I realised that all the 10, half marathon and marathon runners were in it because it was the only distance.
I really have learned how to make a silk purse out of a sows ear!
Fit and healthy and mental health
I started running to improve my fitness and health following a heart attack but I continue as it's my wellbeing place for me and helps me cope with autism diagnosis, serious depression and other mental ill health issues of those around me that I love and care for. Not a fun answer but the honest one.
Because I can, when I believed I couldn't
That's the exact reason that I run too!
Great answer. I'm with you all the way!
Physical and mental health and wellbeing.The 3rd and other, the ever giving magic forum.🏃♀️🏃♂️💥💥💥❤️☄️
In the previous section of my life, the choices were not healthy and I was far from fit. When the call came I knew what I had to do. Hence running.
The short answer is 'to get there'. But also to be fit and healthy, and for the social atmosphere of Parkrun - we usually have 5 or 6 clergy at Keswick.
I have taken to running everywhere that I used to walk. Just got back from shopping, ran from the car to each of the shops (it gets exciting with the Sainsburys trolley). I'm sure the other people in Cockermouth think 'mad old git'!
Love it!!! more like fit git....!!!!
Better to rank the list as all reasons are applicable in varying degrees
Hi all thanks for all your responses. I opted for single choice as I wanted to understand the main reason, if you had to choose one. I totally get that all of us probably tick a lot of the categories but I don't think that will give as clear a picture of the MAIN one. I hope that makes sense?
I would also have liked to put down two responses, fit and healthy and because I like to challenge myself
All of the above ... but mainly to challenge myself and be as strong as I can into old age.
I voted bling, but in truth that's what keeps me motivated. I run for all the reasons you listed. Fab isn't it?
I would have liked to tick more boxes.
Well, NOW I run to be fit and healthy as well as for mental health--because it makes me feel better--but I ORIGINALLY ran because my silly 30 year old son bugged me until I started the C25k program. I begged and dragged about doing it but he pestered me so much with emails and getting in my face that I finally did it and am now a runner, albeit a slow one--and I'm in my 70's....
Multiple options needed! Fit & healthy is why I started and it has improved my fitness immensely. But I find I need to keep doing it for my mental wellbeing. And I actually like it as well, contrary to expectations! Happy running 😀🏃♀️
My other is simply “Because I can”
Story behind that is I had quadruple heart bypass five years ago. At final review consultant told me that I essentially no longer had heart disease. Parting words were “Enjoy the rest of your life”. That’s what running is about for me, enjoying my life because I’ve got one 😊
I think I run because I can! Couldn’t before C25k , can now ... and I’m addicted!
It started out as fitness but now it's mental wellbeing. I miss not running and sometimes I get an overwhelming need to run.
Just a shame we can't have a bit of sunshine to make it more enjoyable 😕
Hi Ju-Ju- I started running to become more fit and healthy and have since noticed an improvement in mental health and well-being being, so I wanted to tick both x
I also run for my mental health and wellbeing.
I run ‘because I can’! A year ago I couldn’t!!
Yeah it'd be nice to choose more than option as there are multiple reasons as to why I, and many other people, run.
I run because I like being outside and feeling healthy
First my GP recommended running, now I am an addict, I love running. I think it has not only made me more fit and healthy but it has been very good for my mental health. No winter blues this year, even with all the grey skies and rain.
Me too
I chose the mental health & well being option because that’s the difference I feel regularly. I have a stressful job. I can feel the stress roll away after a tricky day when I run. I started running to feel fitter & healthier though.
Running was always my very secret dream - I was looking at runners and wanted to be one of them to feel strong and have this sense of freedom.
When I started running last year my daughters were 3 and 5y and very strong little girls who loved dancing, gym and climbing. I wanted to keep up with them, challenge them physically (as oppose them always challenging me), be strong and healthy female role model for them. Now, I run with the older one, dance with both and soon we'll start climbing together!
Needless to say, I achieved my dream! I'm a runner and so pleased I had started on this journey to healthy strong body and mind. Now I run for freedom and to feel the wind!
When I first saw this poll I thought, well it's to keep fit, keep my weight steady and stops me going potty, but then I saw 'I run to give me a focus' and yes, it's that, definitely that. The focus stops me going potty with the added bonus of keeping fit. It's something for me that also has benefits for the rest of my family. I've always been someone who's needed focus and as my kids have grown up and haven't needed me so much I started to lose that - thanks for reminding me!
Interesting but I would have preferred 2 options
I run to remind myself of the principle of endurance and that a lot of things in life is a marathon not a sprint.
It's just enjoyable. That's my 'other'.
To be fit and healthy but also I run just because I can and i didn’t think I could before C25k.
Would have loved to be able to select 2 or more options... Or rate them in order of importance!
I run to give me a challenge that I can achieve something for myself.
Also as part of a weight loss plan
Because I can
All of the above
it is to be fit and healthy but with regards to being in a second lockdown its become for my well being due to circumstances which has definitely altered my reasoning.
I run for the challenge of it
