Happy Running Christmas!
Why we produce Running Tales and your chance to let us know what you'd like to see across our platforms
“I always look forward to my next run. It gives me such, really good, endorphins.
“It makes me feel better, it gets me out of the day to day stresses. Everyone’s got problems, everyone’s got worries.
“You watch the television, you watch the news and it’s stressful.
“Running is a release. It just gives you a break for a period of time… it’s just a release from the day to day grind.”
Damian Lai’s words sum up why running is so popular and such an integral part of so many people’s lives.
Running Tales spoke to Damian back in October. At the time, he had his 50th marathon in his sights - something he has now completed.
He told us how he only started running after getting so unfit he ended up in a serious condition in hospital after contracting a virus.
These days, he runs for his fitness and mental health, and to raise money for charity - he’s currently fundraising for people affected by the war in Ukraine.
Damian’s story encapsulates what we try to celebrate at Running Tales: everyday runners who have achieved extraordinary things, often against the odds.
People who regularly tell us they don’t think they have a story to tell, or are immensely modest about some mind-blowing feats of endurance, fund-raising or dogged determination in the face of adversity.
This week, people may have seen pictures and videos of a man running past the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. He is shirtless, wearing only a balaclava and looks fit and strong as he runs along.
We re-tweeted the video ourselves, joking that maybe he would like to come on the podcast.
On further investigation it turns out this chap is an Instagram influencer. All power to him, but frankly that’s not what we’re interested in here (we’re sure he doesn’t care less by the way!).
Running Tales is about those people who don’t seek the limelight to boost their own image or ego.
So, as we head into Christmas, this week’s podcast features some of those people’s stories we have loved telling over the last year.
We’ve got one more episode planned for this year - set to come out next Tuesday - and after that we’ll be taking a very quick break from the podcast for a couple of week’s before returning in 2023 with what will nominally be Series 3.
We’ll still be here on Substack throughout though!
We’d love to hear from you in the comments below about what you like and dislike about Running Tales, both in terms of this newsletter and the podcast - as well as what guests you’d like to hear us speak to in the future.
Our small ask of you today, is that if you like what we are doing on the podcast please give us a rating and review wherever you listen. It really helps to grow the production.
If you enjoy our Substack posts, perhaps consider upgrading to a paid subscription if you don’t already have one, or just please share the posts that we put out so more people can find them.
Oh, and sponsor Damian: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Damian-Lai
Thanks and happy Christmas,
Craig & Michelle
Our YouTube channel features clips from the podcast, including this one from wheelchair racer Steve Montgomery on his experience of competing with the elite section at the London Marathon