Author: Jason Chu

Running. Seems like a grim activity for so many people. Why in the world would you purposely expose yourself to the elements and put yourself through that. As the wise Ann Perkins rightly states in NBC’s hilarious sitcom series, Parks and Recreation:

Jogging is the worst! I know it keeps you healthy, but God, at what cost?!

There are countless studies out there to support that running is great for improving your physical health. Whether that’s increasing lung function, boosting your immune system, strengthening the heart or burning extra calories. All that sounds great, but still. Getting kitted up and running still can seem like the furthest thing you want to do. Even as someone who runs his fair share, I’m not going to lie, the first couple weeks are brutal. Your body constantly struggles with the physical burden of running and the harsh cold of the Mancunian outdoors. However, over time, you get used to it. Once you get over the physical obstacle, the next challenge is a major mental blockade. 

Why do runners keep running?

Maybe you’ve got a new year’s resolution. It might be a target weight you’re trying to get to. For those ambitious individuals, it might be striving to hit that personal best or distance milestone. It took me a while to realise my drive.

So, running has been a small part of my life for the past 10 years or so. I tried to keep up with the running to stay fit and healthy. I mean it’s an incredibly affordable way to do so. No gym membership required to run to the park and back home. However, my running was very much an on and off relationship. I didn’t have the motivation to keep at it.

Running is often seen as a solo sport. It’s just you, your thoughts, your music, and the road ahead of you. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want! But given the option between laying in on Saturday morning or going for a 5km run. It’s all too tempting to take that easy route of relaxation.

The only time I really ran was when my mum, a housemate or a pal would egg me on to go for a run with them. Otherwise, it’s a lot of effort to motivate yourself to run.

Then I came to Manchester, and I discovered the Run Wild Manchester running society. I have never run in a group like this before. These guys band together every Tuesday evening, and run routes around Manchester at varying pace groups to suit everyone from beginners to experienced marathon runners. This society also encourages running the South Manchester Parkrun on Saturdays, which is a free, weekly timed run open to everyone.

What you have here is a community to run with. They have made me realise that I run because I want to run with others. Whether that’s family, friends, a society, or strangers in a park. There’s always such an encouraging buzz. The people around me is what keeps me running. Cheesy, I know. But it’s 100% my truth.  

This has re-invigorated that competitive edge that comes with running. Aiming to run faster and further. Selfishly, I have pushed myself to some personal bests in the past 6 months because of the Run Wild group that I am part of. And I have witnessed other friends hitting their personal best’s and that is an amazing thing to see. With this community, I now have signed up for the University of Manchester Purple Wave for the Great Manchester Run and teamed up with my family and friends to do the Isle of Skye Half Marathon.

Maybe you’re the next member of Run Wild Manchester?

Community

What I want you to take from this, is the importance of the community. Earlier this year, there was a national campaign to focus our efforts to promoting mental health in Higher Education settings, with University Mental Health Day. The theme this year was community. 

University can be stressful. Whether that’s your undergraduate, Master’s or PhD. There’s no denying that statistically this will be a difficult decade for our mental health. Around 40% of our peers will experience depression and anxiety, and this problem is expected to grow. We need to do what we can to look after ourselves and those around us. 

Going to university can often be the first time you leave that supportive network of family and friends. You lose out on that home community. Over the next few years, the University of Manchester will be pushing its boundaries to further cultivate a healthy and positive mental health community. Know that support is available and have that confidence to seek support if you need it. You’re not alone.

Likewise, do what you can to help.

Saying hello. Grabbing a coffee together. Lending a book. Or running with a friend.

Don’t forget your neighbour.

Additional links

https://www.counsellingservice.manchester.ac.uk/mentalhealth/

https://www.counsellingservice.manchester.ac.uk/wellbeing/