Running helps me through the hard times – including Valentine’s Day

While I’ve always been cynical about the marketing concept that is Valentine’s Day, there is one passion – or perhaps more accurately love/hate affair – that I’m happy to indulge in today. We’ve had our ups and downs, but it all started with a 5k race. Fast forward past some 10k races, a half marathon and – *beams* – a full marathon (I have the medal and wonky toenails to prove it) and I am still faithful to my running.

There are some days when it annoys the hell out of me and makes me sick – quite literally on the odd occasion – and times when I even think about hanging up my trainers forever. Every now and then, to reignite the spark, I’ll buy myself a new top, or a high visibility armband. It doesn’t take much: within minutes of pounding the pavements again I feel a great sense of relief and achievement.

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Like any supportive partner, running has also helped me through some tough times. In 2011 I lost my uncle in a sudden tragic accident. A running buddy suggested joining her on a last-minute half marathon to help take my mind off it and provide an outlet for my grief. Probably the only runner spurred on by the melancholic tones of Adele’s Someone Like You, I finished in a respectable two hours and one minute – although being so close to a sub-two finish time still bugs me.

We are far from a match made in heaven. Family and friends tell me to find another love, worrying that my asthma, heart murmur and flat feet are better suited to something less energetic. But I find it helps. My lung capacity feels like it has increased and my heart palpitations only occur with stress, which is dispelled by running.

So today I’ll be abandoning cynicism and indulging in my version of a PDA (public display of affection) by hitting the streets to the sound of Money Can’t Buy Me Love in my earphones, which reminds me of another reason why I love the sport – it’s free!

Indulge your romantic side and share your reasons for loving running with us today.

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