Running is the new messiah

Ask any fanatical runner why they love their chosen sport so passionately and chances are you'll be greeted with a big smile or a starry-eyed expression that doesn't really answer your question. They might mumble a few words about achievement, weight loss or fresh air, but more often than not you'll come away none the wiser and still wondering what all the fuss is about. Yeah running makes you fit and stuff, but why do those crazy chicks in Lycra seem so damn obsessed and insist on doing it all the time? I mean, it's just like walking quickly, right? Wrong! Running is much more than just legwork. To us die-hard running fans, falling in love with running is akin to a religious conversion. Seem a bit melodramatic? Well it is. Many of us discovered running at an important crossroad in our lives. Running came into my life when I needed it the most and in many ways it saved my ass. I was unfit, unemployed, homeless, miserable and heartbroken when I applied for the job at Women’s Running magazine. I did a bit of running, but really didn’t get the hang of it until I decided to embrace it to fit in with the team, and I’ve never looked back. The ways in which running has subsequently enriched my life are immeasurable. Within a year I ran my first marathon. Within two, I joined my first running crew. I now have a network of friends that I can’t imagine my life without, I’m proud of my toned new body and I’m busy every night of the week, all thanks to running. Every single day the simple act of lacing up my shoes brings me endless joy. And I am constantly amazed by the heartwarming, inspirational and funny stories from Women’s Running readers who've overcome personal tragedy, loneliness, heartbreak, health issues and a million other things that make running worth every little step. Reading through the entries for the Women’s Running Group of the Year Awards in association with New Balance has demonstrated to me that running can also have positive affects on entire communities (its not too late to enter, visit www.womensrunninguk.co.uk/newbalance for details). We’ve been literally inundated with entries from amazing women running groups across the country. For many of us running means so much more than post race euphoria. Running can build self-esteem, improve confidence, benefit health, heal broken hearts (sometimes literally) bring positivity into our lives, build communities and give us focus for the future. It's hard not to feel passionate about something that's capable of creating so much positive, life-altering change.With recent tumultuous events across the UK forcing many of us to stop and think about the way society operates, it got me thinking. If the dispossessed kids trashing shop fronts and raging in the streets had something more positive to focus their attentions on and respect for the communities they live in, maybe the last few days of insurgence in the streets of London would have turned out differently. I’m lucky to have a university education, a great job and a future to look forward to. But even with all of these blessings I know how it feels to be excluded. I remember when I first moved to London feeling alone, scared and utterly lost in this heaving metropolis. Lord only knows how kids without the means to express themselves or the finances to follow their dreams feel. It took time, faith and courage for me to find my own niche in the world and I actually only recently started to feel like I was part of a community with a sense of purpose and belonging. It never even occurred to me to take up running until Lady Fate brought the opportunity to my door and now it has a positive impact on every aspect of my life.Call me idealistic, but in my job I see proof of the healing powers of running every single day. Perhaps if we put more funds into community sports instead of spending so much on police protection, we’d live in a very different world. Instead of condemning lost youths, why don’t we get them all running? If the government bought everyone a decent pair of trainers instead of allowing us to be exposed to endless adverts flaunting expensive sportswear we can’t afford, maybe the kids out there would put their legs to better use.The mere act of being out running and at one with our immediate surroundings and local community also gives us a more detailed sense of ownership of our environment. Perhaps our children would all respect our communities that little bit more if they came face to face with the changing landscape every single day.Let’s take to the streets, include everyone, support each other, rebuild our fractured communities and run like the wind. If running is the new religion, sign me up. I’ll happily worship the park every single day (and extra on weekends during marathon training) if it continues to give me inner peace, love, joy and thighs of steel.