Running to keep sane

People say “Running?  You’re mad!” but they couldn’t be more wrong because if it wasn’t for running I think I definitely would be mad!  Running started off as an accident really, I signed up to the Great North Run, knowing that once I’d committed I’d force myself to train.  I was also unhappy with my weight as I’d piled on 3 stone during my first pregnancy and was keen to lose it, running was a great way to do that.  Now 7 years on, I’m still running but it has only took me up until the last year to actually enjoy it and realise the benefits it gives me for my mental health.  This has been in conjunction with practically stopping drinking alcohol and becoming Pescetarian.  Something, I never in my wildest dreams I thought I would achieve.  You see up until a couple of years ago, I would’ve had a glass of wine or two on a daily basis and use any given excuse to have a drink.  It got to a point were I was waking in the night and boiling hot with my heart racing when I realised it wasn’t worth the bother and now it’s the norm for me not to drink, even on a weekend.  I never thought I’d see the day when I had two alcoholic drinks on Christmas day and one on Boxing Day, I used to love the fact I could use both days as an excuse to crack open a bottle first thing!  I can’t tell you how much better I feel for it and have now got to a point where I don’t miss it and can even go out on social events and not drink either.  Alcohol used to be something I relied on to get me through socialising due to having social anxiety, I always panicked when it came to Christmas parties or even socialising with friends and family.  Now I realise that the alcohol only accentuated my feeling of anxiety.  Even now just having one drink, the next day, I can feel my anxiety levels have heightened.  So, through stopping drinking, it has made it easier and more enjoyable to go out running.  It used to be such a slog and something I saw I had to do, whereas, now it is something I want to do and come the weekend, I cannot wait to get ready and myself out to Park Run, and even follow it up with a longer run the next day.  Running gives me such a feeling of freedom and clears my mind so much that I feel I can tackle anything.  So, if you’re thinking of giving running a go or are looking for ways to improve your mental health, I’d say go for it!  I promise, you wont regret it.  If I went from being a non-runner to being able to do a half marathon then you never know what is possible for you.