Why do you run: join our poll 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏻😁 - Couch to 5K
Why do you run: join our poll 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏻😁
Please select one:
I am training for a Marathon
Getting fit was the initial drive, but the mental benefits of it, I never expected. If anything it's done for me Mentally and emotionally than it has physically.
Ask me again in a few months as I suspect my answer would be because I love it...
My initial drive was the same as yours and I too was pleased to find I got mental and emotional benefits, but it wasn't long before I found I loved it, so prepare for that. For me, loving to run somehow now trumps all the other benefits, but I'm so glad for them all.
For both physical and mental health
I am in the 'other' camp, the reason being that I took up running on the advice of my doctor to help combat a high(ish) blood pressure. Running helps.
I run for all of the reasons in your poll
No better life changer, innit?
I run because it gives me a childish escapism. In my head when I run, I can be anywhere or anything, my mind flows freely and leaves all my worries behind me. I run because nothing in my life before comes close to this and makes me strong and healthy at the same time. I run to feel young when My body tries to tell me I’m getting older. My mind wins that battle because I run 😀.
Wow that sounds amazing.... hope I get into this headspace soon x
I think of nothing when I run, it really empties negative rubbish from my head space.
I'm with you, I'm much close to 25 when I'm running.
I run to manage stress & because I enjoy the feeling at the end!!
I put other because I could of ticked all of the answers.
I run for my mental health
Clears my mind and lessens anxiety
It helps me mentally and has been a goal of mine to start running after having counselling to help with my anxiety. I have a renewed positive attitude, in part thanks to the C25K running program, with the additional benefits of losing a lot of inches and a couple of pound in weight.
I’m 40 this year and want to do a half marathon in October
All of the above and to help balance my mental health.
I ticked other - I run for physical fitness but also because it does wonders for my confidence and mental health. 😀👍
Hoping to keep jogging faster than the Grim Reaper can ..... if he wants me he’s going to have to work for me 😂😂😂
For a sense of achievement
To lose weight not just maintain it.
To help fight off Type 2 diabetes
All of those apply to me 😊
And to keep fit and feel free.
I’m training up for ski touring. But I am really enjoying the running anyway!
All of the above and more - depending on which day you ask me (yesterday's was definitely primarily motivated by "I need to do something with all the adrenalin generated by all these Tribunal orders, the 'yippee' and the 'oh-oh there's a mistake I need to sort out' alike") The more? Pain relief sometimes. Because it made my Dad happy. To enjoy more views and satisfy my curiosity about places.
Oh and as a big fat middle finger up to those influential but ignorant people who think that people like me are all simply unreasonably afraid of exercise.
And of course, Google airing! She runs in (vain) hopes of catching squirrels or ducks I think.
To manage my recently diagnosed psoriatic arthritis.
Lucky it's just in my hands...I hope the running keeps it just there. 
Initially, to lose a bit of weight, now, because I enjoy it as a bit of 'me' time and to help clear my head.
I run for all the reasons in the poll. I am attempting to reverse type 2 diabetes. I underwent heart bypass surgery so fitness is of great importance to me.
Last Sept I had a Radical Prostectomy Operation to treat my prostate cancer. For 3 weeks I used C25K to get fitter before the Op. All’s well now. So now I restarted the program as a personal challenge to get fit and raise a little money for cancer charity when I reach 5k target. Currently on W7r2. It’s tough but making good progress. PS: I’m 67 yrs. young. Enjoying your app too. Thanks.
Similar story, 66, post sarcoma surgery, over weight, health issues, now off all meds except essential thyroxine. Hoping to do sponsored events for the Tenovus Cancer Care charity. Isn't this running thing bloody marvelous!
Hi Lizzie, thanks for your post. Yes this C25K programme has been a great way for me to recover from my cancer treatment. Like most folks its been tough re-learning how to run / jog again albeit “slowly”. But isn’t wonderful ! I’ve gained confidence and upped my fitness. I feel years younger and full of vim. So pleased it’s working for you too. Well Done. Life’s Good! JohnT
To deal with stress
To deal with stress
All of the above!
All of the above 😍, and one other thing...to do a charity run!
Because I’m over 40 and I’m changing to a healthier lifestyle
To keep my mind calm
Because it seemed like a good idea and then I applied and got a place in a marathon. And now I think it’s a bad idea but I’m not a quitter!
Gives me a real sense of achievement-proves to myself and others that I can do It!
I need to be fitter to help with weight, joint mobility, slow down Osteoporosis and improve mental health.
Because I never thought I could. It’s taken a long time, but now I know I can, it’s absolutely fabulous! ❤️
Keep fit, feel free, have me time, get outside
I wanted to be fit enough to enjoy an active retirement after a career based in an office. My confidence to walk up big hills, mountains and have long bike ride etc. is high! I also like to surprise/impress people by telling them I run 5K three times a week and am up to 8K on longer runs!
to lose weight and get fitter and achieve a personal goal of running a 5k. Still on my journey.
To help maintain good mental health.
Non runner but was stupidly overawed by great north run when I went as a spectator in Sept....came back and entered and told lots of people do can't back out 😁
For physical and mental health
All of the above for me. Plus I was planning to get enlist into the Reserves
To loss weight, get fit and for good mental health.
Lots of reasons..but the main one is it helps me mentally..great for releasing the endorphins x
Completed C25K to get fit for skiing but found I felt much better all round as a result.
I run for the challenge. I’m naturally a short distance sprinter so this is something that doesn’t come easy but I do like a challenge!
Because my everyday life is kind of mundane for quite a while now so running helps me cope with that
I honestly don't know ... 
For the challenge
I'm doing it for weight loss as I started walking but not losing any lately so I decided to step it up a bit
Started as I wanted to lose weight & has gone through every other option in the vote! For all of the reasons, it makes me smile ☺
I'm doing it for myself. I'm a parent carer and volunteer. I spend the majority of my time doing things for others. By doing this, I get a sense of achievement and self worth unlike anything that I get from my other activities xx
Training for tough mudder with the kids don't wanna hold them up
Getting married I want to know Iv have done my best to look my best, also starting to enjoy it .
Fitness and weight loss are all bonuses but I’ve started to help with anxiety and needless worries. When I’m panting around the place and listening to ace music with Micheal J saying how well I’m doing is just the best!
Lose weight, get fit, mental wellbeing
Health check with Practice Nurse as pre diabetic symptoms and advice on weight loss and exercise - Nurse mentioned C25K and I went home and was hooked! Unexpected benefits - another way to enjoy the countryside and changing seasons, listen to music, improve my mood and sense of resilience - caring for my lovely mum 3 days per week who has moderate Alzheimer's (and when the inevitable happens I hope the running will help me cope better) and that we do not have to accept the limitations others and we place on ourselves- we have one life and I want to live it.
I could only pick one thing on the poll but I actually run for all the reasons listed 😊
I voted to keep fit as that was my initial reason. But like lots of you here, all of the above applies now 💕
I started because I needed a challenge and goal, now having achieved my initial goal, it’s because I love it. But Yes all the above reasons and options are part of it, which just goes to show what an useful exercise it is 🙂
To keep my health anxiety at bay
I'm doing slimming world ATM.x
All of the above, of course.
Does "getting away from day to day life and teenage children" come under feeling free?
How about being a role model to others too?
Initially it was to reduce my waistline and get fit, now I tell people I run for chocolate as the more running and walking I do the more chocolate I can eat and still maintain.
For mental health; it provides structure when I need it most
I do it to keep my brain alert
All of these reasons!
Initially to keep fit as I was beginning to get grumpy and bulgey, just that, but then another important thing for me is to have a reason to go outside.Just getting out, be in all weathers, notice nature.I've enjoyed learning a new skill.Understanding my body a little and the sense of achievement. Also I really enjoy the purposeful solitude.I like time on my own , my worries fall away and I feel happier.
To do something for me
I’m mid 50s. I have a physical job, and need to be fit and running is just the ticket to maintain a good level of mobility and fitness for me.
I run because of all of the above
All of the above 😊 Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy time with the dogs.
Getting fit was my initial reason for starting running... But now I love it and the getting fit part is a bonus!
Why do I run? A question I often ask myself since I think that truthfully I don't like running very much.
1) The scrambled egg and the coffee at the café next to parkrun are the most delicious I've ever tasted, and the other runners are so nice and I love all the chat with them.
2) When I run I feel smug for the rest of the day.
3) I hate sweaty gyms but like fresh air. Hillwalking is my thing, really, but I can't go and climb a hill in my lunch hour so a run does the job.
4) I'm trying to make up for spending 50 years on the couch.
5) I like the feel of my firmer thighs. That might be a little weird...
Love all those reasons but especially no2
I too like the smug feeling 😄 have yet to achieve firmer thighs but here's hoping 🙏
To try tone up (I WILL wear a bikini on my holiday this year and not care who’s looking!) and improve my stamina. But mostly join the challenge to prove I can achieve something I thought would be impossible. Beginning to love it! And it’s Beginning to shift my focus and improve my mental health. Best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time
Great outlet for mental health
I voted to keep fit, I'm of normal weight and height, just a continuing of the exercises I already do, interesting poll.
Preventive Medicine for the " Bod" ...!
Already replied earlier today
Well I started running to get fit, but things have moved on since then. I now love getting out there and running, especially parkrun on Saturdays. So long may it continue.
For my mental health 😊
Can’t remember why I decided! Think it was for fitness. Now I like the meditative effect. When I was a teen I read Wilbur Smith books and the Maasai running for miles across the Serengeti, I always fancied doing that but not enough to actually run. Now 40 years later I can pretend that’s me running across the plains of Africa ... as I plod the concrete London streets 🤣
I’m running as part of lifestyle changes to combat high blood pressure.
Because I went for a health MOT and the nurse said "If you do one thing ...move more", so I started walking, then jogging in the park, then I did Couch 2 5K, now I can run 6.4K. Next thing is to try a parkrun
Training for a 100 mile charity walk in Scotland
All the above, to manage depression/anxiety and I've signed up to do a 5k in Edinburgh in May to raise money for Parkinson's Disease.
In truth my top 3 are Keep fit, maintain weight, feel free and because I love it. Definitely the best thing I have done for my physical and mental health. I'm travelling a lot for work at the moment and its amazing what you see if you pop your head out your hotel and trot off for a cheeky 5Km.
For the mental escapism it provides and to keep as fit, healthy and active as possible to ward off the risk of inheriting Alzheimers which runs in my family.
For fitness, weight loss my mental health and I enjoy it too 😀
I'd love to say for losing weight. After 8 months of running 3 times a week i have lost zero fat, zero pounds and gained no muscle..Oh well, i will keep it up for fitness. That and i think im addicted. Ooops!!
All of the above plus it helps manage my mental health/menopausal symptoms
Never a fast runner, rubbish at school, now 40 years later have found that I can do this, Parkrun each week, lots of new friends and a healthier me. Hope to keep it up as long as I can.
Hello all! When I run I feel free, it’s so unbelievable that I can do it. It just feels good, it feels so invigorating
Helps with my moods
Because I can.
Not just because I can run, but because running has taught me that if I try in life...I CAN.
Because I worked damn hard to get to where I am with running, why stop and lose it all?
To be actively involved in my health, in the hope of staving off family trend of high blood pressure and diabetes, and to help with my mental health.
I voted 'keep fit' but actually as well as for fitness I love the feeling of running - especially on cool very early mornings, soon as the sun is rising I'm out the door.
I run because it's a challenge - 6 months ago I never dreamt of running anywhere for anything. I graduated C25K, next stop park run, and it's good for me! 😊
Running helps me maintain better mental health.
To get fitter 🙂
Well, I do it simply for: FAGS 🤓
Haha, not what you're thinking though, oh no......
I do it for:
FREEDOM, ABLENESS, GLADNESS, SUPPORT.
Plus, the chance to wear my many, many running tops, which to some here is a bit of an in house conversation, haha. But seriously, it's about feeling good, better in my mind as well as feeling fitter, but for me, it's the mental health benefits overall.
Wonderful reasons here from all of you and all so worth it. Stay well my lovely running friends xx ❤️
Read a number of things recently about running helping to increase bone density, which you need to do prior to actual menopause for it to be of any real benefit. So realised this was last chance saloon! An unexpected benefit has been the positive effect mentally. It's quite a powerful sense of achievement each time you get to the next level, which is not something you experience very often as you get older - well for me anyway!
all those things plus needed a challenge
My answer is all of the above - to keep fit; help maintain weight; to feel free and because I LOVE it!
To help maintain my mental health
I want to improve my anxiety and mood by channeling my energy in to something positive
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I get lots of pain including when I run but gritting my teeth I’ve got to week 7 and I think sometimes its getting easier now. I got fat through meds and illness but now my challenge is to keep this up and get fit instead! One day I’m hoping I might even enjoy it!
I’m doing the C25K to challenge myself. I should graduate on my 60th Birthday.
I run, walk, jog at parkrun every Saturday for the immense feel good that it gives me 🤩
To some extent physical health but also for time out from the world where I can just zone out and relax
The running bug bit me, what can I say!🏃♀️💕
Running to help improve my mental health and also in preparation for the Miles for MIND in may
Initially started running (C25K) to give myself purpose and some kind of routine- I am a parent cater, grandma and no longer work so felt a bit lost. Now I am also running to lose weight, become fitter and have some me time! Have surprised myself- really enjoying it.
I started to get fit and now I love it...
To fight Depression.
Train the "Black Dog" as Winston Churchill puts it.
Prove to myself that I can push my limits & achieve something I never thought I could.
Why do I run? Because I can't and have hated it for 46 years. Yet so stubborn, not even myself can tell me what I can and cant do lol. Always gone for the hardest path and biggest challenges. Think this is why I'm single lol Didn't realise I'd find solace and peace and the blessing of cracking dawns opening every second day.
Because it improves my mental health.
Initially, I started the c25k to get myself fit. I'm half way through the program and now I'm running because I love it.
Mental health for sure. For me, running is the only activity to get those endorphins.
Save money! It’s cheaper than joining a gym ✅ And more liberating, be on your own time ✅
I’m turning 40 this year (and nervous about it!) and want to maintain my physic ✅
I have worked in incredibly challenging environments and I have seen people break down and struggle with mental health, I don’t want mental health to get me, I want to beat it away with a stick ✅
I’m petite and small at 4’10, my strides are shorter than the average person and it takes me longer to get to places, I want to be faster and I know that speed will come over time and I look forward to that next step after c25k ✅
Just came off hrt want to strengthen my bones , mental well being and fitness
To do something positive for myself both physically and mentally.
I’ll be 40 next year and I have a hyper 5 year old who I want to set an example for.
I want to get fit, maybe lose some weight & surprise my hubby when we go on holiday by joining him for a run 🏃♀️
To support my weight loss
I run as it helps me manage stress from work and stops me panicking. I’m really starting to love it 😍
to become fit
I'm an endorphin junkie.
