Is running actually... good?

by Will Entwistle

Hello… It’s Will. ¹

Happy Friday!
(or whatever day of the week you’re reading this)

I have some annoying news.

Running actually makes you feel… better.

I’ve always hated running.

Growing up I pretty much dismissed football, and I’m not someone who supports a team (although if anyone asks and my brother is around, I’m a massive fan of ‘The Blues’ ‘The Toffees’²).

I’ve always enjoyed cycling, swimming, squash, golf, hockey, and the gym. Anything really… except plain running, with no other purpose than just to run.

But then, like so many people in Lockdown... Couch to 5k.

I gave it a go, and once I’d done Couch to 5k (or CT5 as no one is calling it) I stopped running again.

But then I got into regular exercise in an big effort for getting married in 2024. Still no running though, thanks.

Then… Phoebe and I, for some reason, decided it might be fun to try Parkrun.

Black Park is our local one, and they’re sometimes filming there because Pinewood Studios is right next door.

Parkrun is so encouraging. No shame, no judging, just blend into the crowd, do your thing and give running a go.

So for the last few years, we, somewhat intermittently, did some Parkruns.

And now I’m converted.

I even started going to the local running club hosted by Refill Your Cup (I seem to be talking about them a lot - see note 4!)

I think I’m always going to have a bit of a love hate relationship with exercise, but the annoying thing is that every time I do it, without fail (apart from maybe that time I broke my ankle falling off a bouldering wall), I feel better.

I know this isn’t exactly breaking news.

Everyone already knows exercise makes you feel better…

…but running is so easy. Pretty much anyone can do it.

Which might explain why there seems to be a new article every week about the rise of run clubs.

Apparently half the country has collectively decided that running together is the answer.

So next time you’re not feeling great, go for a quick, easy run.

Don’t pressure yourself. Don’t bother timing it. Don’t worry about wearing anything special.

Just get up, go outside, and start running somewhere.

Tired before you get very far, even just a few metres? Stop. Walk back.

You’ll feel a little better just for doing it. I promise.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suddenly a regular runner.

I’m not someone who bangs on about how great exercise is and how running has changed my life.

It hasn’t changed my life.

I still mostly think exercise is a bit annoying, and it’s a bit mad that I’m even writing a blog post about it, to be honest.

I just know it tends to put me in a better mood once I’ve forced myself to do it, and I thought I’d let you know.

Let me know if you fancy going for a run sometime.

Back soon

Will

1. This is a reference to my voicemail, iykyk

2. Yes, I looked up the nicknames for Everton FC and I pretend to be a big fan because my little brother supports Liverpool.