I might be a personal trainer but I’m not a natural runner, and since I became a mom eight years ago I’ve struggled to find time to get out for a run. Before kids, I’d run at least three times a week and I always found it an energizing way to start the day.
I recognize and really value how much outdoor exercise can boost your mental health and wellbeing, so when I saw that Motor Neurone Disease Association was holding a challenge to run 31 miles in January, I felt it was a sign to get back out there. I lost my lovely aunty Jenny Hall to this horrible disease and MNDA is a charity very close to my heart.
So while I might be a bit rusty at running, I wanted to do something to raise funds for this important cause and see if I could get the running bug again. Here’s what I discovered along the way.
Having a goal is very motivating
I felt more motivated to commit to a regular running schedule knowing that I had to clock up 31 miles in a month and that people had kindly sponsored me. On days I felt like I couldn’t be bothered, I reminded myself that I had set a goal and a deadline, and it helped me to get going.
This is exactly what happened on New Year’s Day (day one of the challenge) when I faced gale-force winds and stormy conditions. I had to drag my daughters out with me and they sat on a bench under an umbrella as I did one mile of laps in our local park. The second day they refused to leave the house in the rain so I did a whole mile up and down my garden path! It started out incredibly boring but halfway in I got into a groove and felt great afterwards.
It was a similar story on the last day of my challenge when, in a moment of madness, I agreed to let my daughters rollerblade the mile to school while I ran alongside them. Before long I was carrying their bags, coats and, eventually, my youngest daughter’s skates, as she and I walk-runned the rest of the way. The run home alone felt serene, to say the least.
Outdoor exercise is medicine
I work as a journalist and a trainer, and I’m a single mom, and don't find I have a lot of free time so I tend to do most of my workouts at home because it’s just easier with the kids. I think my favorite thing about this running challenge was that it meant I was outside much more.
I can honestly say that it felt like medicine. Listening to the birds singing, enjoying the scenery and the sun coming out—well, it was quite euphoric. I also found that being outside exercising meant that I often ran for longer than I intended, simply because I was enjoying it so much and not clock-watching.
Running is a great stress buster
I remember this from when I used to run. There’s nothing quite like putting one foot in front of the other to switch off and calm the mind. You literally can’t do anything else on a run, apart from in my case listen to my favorite music. I find it very meditative and good for stress relief, and I can see why people get addicted to running. I’m not quite at that point, I’ll admit, but I know that in those times in the future when I’m child-free and have the time for a run, I’m definitely going to take it.
It boosted my energy
“If you’re too tired to exercise, try exercising” is a saying of mine I can't help annoying my PT clients with. But it’s so true! One of the reasons I love exercise is that it is energizing and I found that my regular runs were really topping me up, especially because I was out in the fresh air. Often I only felt like doing a short run and would mentally set myself a distance limit, only to end up running twice my intended distance, if not further. Research found that people who walked or ran outdoors reported increased energy levels, lower feelings of anxiety and depression, plus they were more likely to repeat their workouts.
Sponsor Maddy's run challenge and check out her journey via the Run Challenge icon on her Instagram Stories.
