Friendship and running

05/05/22 • 28 min

Steve used to go to a local running club, but being slow, he always finished last. The experience left him feeling humiliated and low, even though he went on to complete numerous running events, including the Brighton Marathon and Great North Run.
At the end of 2019, Steve split up from his partner and then came COVID. During lockdown, he decided it was time for a rethink and last year, he set up Norwich Social Joggers.
"At Norwich Social Joggers, everyone starts together and finishes together. No one gets left behind."
The group has been a huge success. In a year, it's grown to more than 200 members.
Recognised locally for its inclusive ethos, the group has members who’ve been referred from the NHS and local mental health groups...as well as much more serious runners. At Norwich Social Joggers it's all about meeting new friends and have fun.
"People come along for the social side - just as much as the running," says Steve.
After-run snacks including tea and homemade cakes...pub quizzes...social events...fancy-dress Halloween runs through churchyards... are just some of the activities that make Norwich Social Joggers so popular.
Steve used to come last at running, but now he is most definitely an absolute winner. Greatly valued at NSJ for his encouraging and supportive approach, he's helped numerous members discover the value of jogging for health, friendship and well-being.
Read Steve's full story here
As a Why Run? listener, you can claim free tickets to the National Running Show being held at Farnborough International on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May 2022. Just enter code: WHYRUN
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Facebook: @whyrunpodcast
For further information about Why Run? visit: www.whyrun.uk

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Previous Episode

Adoption and running

Seven years ago, Denise adopted a three-year-old little boy. Like all children who are placed for adoption, her son had been through traumatic early life experiences. One of the impacts of this, is that he finds it difficult to handle change. So when lockdown was announced two years ago, it had a hugely negative impact upon him.

For a single adoptive parent like Denise, the combination of lockdown, home schooling and home working was challenging enough. But in addition to this, Denise was going through the menopause, which made her feel as though she was in an emotional fog.

Running has proved to be a vital outlet for Denise. Getting out for whatever time she can snatch...has been a lifeline. Also by running together - first virtually and then physically - with the running group Black Girls Do Run, Denise found support, encouragement and friendship at a time of social isolation. Denise’s son describes running as his mum’s “happy place” and he’s absolutely right.
Read Denise's full story here
As a Why Run? listener, you can claim free tickets to the National Running Show being held at Farnborough International on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May 2022. Just enter code: WHYRUN
Instagram: #whyrunpodcast
Facebook: @whyrunpodcast
For further information about Why Run? visit: www.whyrun.uk

Next Episode

Mental breakdown and running

Karen is a bright, loud and funny secondary school teacher. She currently teaches English and Performing Arts and when she retires next year she plans to have a go at stand-up comedy.
"I love performing to an audience," she says.

Karen has also experienced some very extreme lows in her life struggling with depression and anxiety. One episode, after the birth of her son due to post-natal depression led to her being sectioned.

Karen was a county athlete and started running as a teenager. She has continued to run throughout her adult life – consistently for the last 40 years. For her, it is a way of helping process the anxiety, the anger and frustration that are part of her mental struggles. It quite literally helps her to burn away the excess adrenalin that contributes to her anxiety.
" I know when I’m doing it that I will feel absolutely great when I’ve finished and that reward is enough to make me do it," she says.
Karen laughs that she can be quite an angry runner and it certainly isn't a calming experience for her. She loves to run alone and is competitive about her time. "God help anyone who gets in my way!" she says.
If she doesn't run, Karen can get quite low. "The idea of not running is too frightening. I’m frightened that my mind will start to go and I’ll go in to some kind of dark place. When I’m very, very, very ill, I can’t run, because I’m just too frightened and I become quite agoraphobic. But that’s not happened very much."

Karen’s life is one of extreme emotions and she says she wouldn’t want it any different – for if she lost the low moments of despair, she would also lose the high moments of joy too.
PLEASE NOTE - this episode contains references to suicide.

Read Karen's full story here
Instagram and Facebook: @whyrunpodcast
For further information about Why Run? visit: www.whyrun.uk

Why Run? - Friendship and running

Transcript

00:40 Diane
Welcome to Why Run?

Steve used to belong to a running club, but always came last, which left him feeling humiliated and fed up, even though he went on to run a marathon and numerous other races. During lockdown he set up Norwich Social Joggers and it has now grown to over 200 members.

At Norwich Social J