Send us Fan Mail

We all know running is good for us. But does running always make us happy? What happens when something we love starts becoming another source of pressure?

In this episode of the 12 Months to Marathon Podcast, I'm joined by Pete Goldring, co-founder of Happystride and host of the Running Makes Me Happy podcast, for a conversation about running, mental health, community and finding enjoyment beyond PBs and race times.

Pete has been running for 17 years, completing everything from 5Ks to 100-mile ultramarathons. He's also a four-time sub-three-hour marathon runner, with a PB of 2:56. But his relationship with running has changed considerably over the years.

We discuss:

• Why running can improve our mental health without necessarily making us happy all the time.
• The pressure of chasing marathon PBs and knowing when we've pushed too far.
• Why ultrarunning offers a different experience from road racing.
• Social media, Strava, Garmin and becoming overly attached to running data.
• Why your running performance shouldn't define your identity.
• The story behind Happystride and its commitment to supporting mental health charities.
• How strength training is helping Pete rediscover his running potential in his 40s.
• The importance of community, consistency and celebrating every runner's achievements.
• Why finishing times matter less than we sometimes think.

We also share our remarkably similar marathon PBs, discuss the emotional comedown after achieving a major running goal, and explore whether we'd still run as much if nobody could see our results.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to run faster, achieve a PB or push your limits. But running should add something to your life, not become another way of measuring your worth.

Whether you're training for your first marathon, chasing a faster time or simply trying to rediscover your love of running, this episode is a reminder of why we started in the first place.

Follow Pete and Happystride:

• Instagram: @petegoldie
• Instagram: @happystride
• Podcast: Running Makes Me Happy

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.

Support the show