h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Mostly it was because I thought at the time it would be a good idea.

I was suffering from high blood pressure and the doctor told me I needed to do more exercise. Not long after that, when I was still trying to think what, the company I was working at asked for people to do the Manchester 10k run. Well, it was a goal and I thought "Why not?"

I did train properly that year, and didn't do too badly. I ached like anything afterwards though, but I enjoyed it. And my blood pressure had dropped so much during the training that I was able to heavily reduce the number of pills I had to take.

I've kept it up since then, to varying degrees, but have just completed my fourth Manchester 10k in a row. I'm not much faster than my first year, maybe because I didn't really train this year, but my blood pressure is still down and I'm still enjoying myself.

I used to run a lot when I was a teenager (I was in a sports club). I loved long distance run and cross.country runs.
Then I started studying and by and by I stopped doing sport alltogether.
A good year ago I started cycling, which I've done regularly.
The other week my son talked me into going running with him - he wants to prepare for the JP Morgan run in June.
Soi after reading this (and Z's journal) I went to him and told him that we should run every day.

I thought you were only meant to run every other day, as every day is bad for your joints, or something...

I've never been much of a runner, but just started the Couch to 5k thing. And discovered along the way that the reason I've always hated running was because I wasn't wearing a sports bra. But I have a good one for horse riding that I now use for running, and it's just sooo much more comfortable.

That said, I doubt I'll stick with running for its own sake, but I hope extra cardio will make me better at fencing.

Partly, because it's nice to be able to do it if you want to (or if you ever *have* to), without running out of puff.

Then as Mal says, it's a great way of increasing your overall fitness for all sorts of other pursuits.

I grow through phases with it. Sometimes it makes me feel great, sometimes I just don't see the appeal of running for it's own sake at all.

It can feel good, especially if you've done a good time, or ran a little bit further than you normally do. I think there's a sense if achievement there along with the endorphins.

I started running because it is the cheapest, most convenient, highest intensity exercise I can do to fit around my myriad other commitments. I got into it after completing my moonwalk marathon - it took *such* a long time to get round 26 miles, and do all the long training walks, that going a bit faster seemed like a good idea.

I managed to train up to half-marathon distance and was entered in a race when disaster struck - I had a cyst in my knee joint, diagnosed by MRI scan. the scan also revealed quite advanced osteoarthritis in my knees for somebody of my age and I was warned off running any great distances. (actually the consultant told me not to run at all, but the physio said that so long as I kept up my core strength to support my joints then shorter distances would be fine)

These days I run three or four times a week, a long run on saturday of 4-5 mile to fat club and 3-4 miles home, around 7-8 miles in total which I'd like to increase a little to a total of 10. T'Boy does a drama class on Tuesday after school, and t'Other is still at nursery so I can squeeze in 40 mins or so which usually equates to around 4 miles, and after I drop t'Boy at Spanish class on a Wednesday, I drive to nursery, and do 30 mins or so from the carpark there before picking up t'Other and dashing back to get t'Boy.

These exercise sessions would not be possible if I had to go somewhere specific to do them, because the time windows are so small.

I enjoy my running, but I wouldn't say that it helps me lose weight. I think losing weight helps my running though.

I started running because my gym was putting together a team for the Belfast Marathon relay, and I thought it was about time I learned to love running.

Previously I would have struggled to complete 10 minutes on the treadmill, and loathed every second.

I use the iMapMyRun app, which I find excellent in terms of recording all my runs - time, elevation etc.

I started running with my big dog, but he hurt his paw (possibly too much impact on the roads) so now I run alone.

I completed the Titanic Qaurter 10k in 1 hour 12 minutes, and did my 5.4 mile section of the marathon in 54 minutes. I'm still pretty slow as a runner - little short legs - but I do notice how much fitter overall I am. Plus its a great calorie burner, quick and easy, can be done any time, any place (just about).

As well as the app, I love my little iPod shuffle, and I treated myself to a hi-viz running vest, which has useful pockets.