Oh my God, I can’t believe I am FINALLY launching my Why Run? podcast. To say it has been a difficult birth, wouldn’t be strictly true. But it’s certainly been a very long labour (of love) indeed.

It’s been quite a journey for me as with extremely limited broadcast experience and a complete lack of technical know-how, it has taken me quite a while to get to this point. (Thank you YouTube.) Add to this, the need to carry on with my day job, a global pandemic and a few other things requiring my attention.

One of the best things about the planning and preparation taking so long, is that it’s been the most amazing motivator to keep running. When I go for a run, I always try and think about anything other than how far I’ve got to go. Having Why Run? on my mind has been a great motivator for two reasons. Firstly, every run provides new source material for what I’d like to talk about. And secondly, I can hardly give up running, if I’m trying to launch a podcast on its amazing benefits!

Whatever exercise/activity/pastime we do, it always requires motivation to keep going after that initial flurry of enthusiasm. That source of inspiration, that ‘you want to do this’ or ‘you must do this’ voice, is different in each of us. And that’s what fascinates me - and made me want to do Why Run?

Each of my guests on the show has taken up or continued running for a different reason. In the first series, I talk to Sarah who runs to help keep her mind clear and prevent her drinking. I talk to Dan, who has experienced severe depression in the past and finds the training for challenge events a huge source of motivation and mood lifter. And Coco who faced extreme difficulties after leaving an abusive relationship and used running to provide some sense of control and self-worth when she needed it most. And that’s just for starters.

For my friends and family who have known me for a long time, I’m sure there are a few raised eyebrows or muffled sniggers when I now describe myself as a runner. I was always the party girl and any form of sport for most of my life has been a complete turn-off.

As a child, my idea of living hell was primary school sports day and my only accolade from these occasions was coming second in the sack race…once! Competitive sports were the worst of times for me and, like many teenagers, I placed the furthest distance possible between myself and the PE teachers when I got to secondary school. 

When I was 19, my then-boyfriend bought me a pair of running shoes for my birthday. Looking back now, it was a bit weird, as at the time I smoked 20 a day and spent many of my evenings in the pub. But he, being a runner, obviously had my best interests at heart and I can still picture the shoes today. Bright blue Nikes with a yellow tick. At the time, I did my best to impress him and went on a single jog of around three miles without any training that just about half killed me. No great surprise then that it left me feeling achy and miserable and I’m sure my running shoes were only ever worn to the shops after this mad burst of effort.

Following the Couch to 5k three years ago, was definitely a breakthrough moment for me. Its gradual build-up and sense of achievement week-by-week, bowled me over. I know this sounds incredibly naive to all of you out there who have always enjoyed sport or a challenge, but it was new to me. (I’m well-known for being rather slow and stubborn when it’s come to heeding good advice.) And I’m sure if it has taken me this long to find well-being and fulfilment through exercise, then I’m not alone.

I still have zero interest in competitive sport. Partly because I’m never going to win anything at my age and my speed; but more importantly, because I actually find measuring distances travelled, calories burned, average speed per km…and so on….all a complete turn-off. I appreciate not everyone agrees, but that’s just me. Also there are already a thousand sites and podcasts dedicated to helping you improve your personal best.

I am so excited about launching the Why Run? podcast series. This really is happening. Thanks to my family and friends who, over the last year, have had to tolerate lots of conversations about the launch of Why Run? and have been incredibly generous in providing puppy-like praise and affirmation along the way to help keep me on track.

And thank you most of all to my guests, who have been so generous in sharing their personal experiences for this first series, without really having a clue as to what they were signing up to. Chatting to my guests is my favourite part of this whole podcast-thing and I know you will love hearing their wonderful, open, enlightening and life-affirming interviews.

We’re on the starting line. It’s time to launch our first challenge. So let’s get on our marks.