Great thread...well done everyone

That's great - well done!  You must be getting some PB's as well then with such an improvement.  The most I can hope for at the moment is to keep my age graded level or to creep up slowly, but it is an extra excitement to check it out each time after a race! 

Thanks for the nice comments Chris.  As dedicated runners ourselves we do try and develop features that help motivation in beginners and also more experienced runners.  I started running 15 years ago and wouldn't have managed to keep it up without keeping records of everything and looking for the smallest improvement all the time - but in those days it was just paper records, so its much easier now!  I'm also a fan of age graded percentages, especially as I'm now theoretically 'over the hill' in running times - although still do manage to get the occassional PB

Great stories of how we've also started to run.  I actually started to run partly because of a dream!  Yes, I dreamt I'd entered the Staines 10K and it was horrfiying.  But, then I woke up and thought, actually perhaps I could do that!!  it did also help I had the encouragement of my brother and GRG colleague Andy who was a keen runner already, and the desire to lose weight after having a baby.

Keep the stories coming in - interesting reading.

I started running having had a very close shave with cancer and wanted to give something back and did the 5k Race for life last year. I tried to train for it and thought I cant run and didnt enjoy it but was determined to do it. The buzz from doing it and the people who were doing it were inspiring and some of them quite unwell oraa recovering from their illness. After that I thought I can do it and needed to lose a bit of weight which I had put on after being ill so got a personal trainer. I have built up my running and got my mind over matter that I can and run on treadmill to get up speed. I now plot routes on here and go out often alone and with a friend when shes available and in fact today we did 10k to see what it felt like. it was a mixture or running and walking as im getting over a coldy/ flu thing which wont quite lift. I have started doing the Parkrun 5k which started in our town last week and so glad the people are nice and not just elite runners. I will never be a fast runner but just want to be fit and improve my time just wish I could have got my head round running years ago. I also must admit to being older than most of you too

hi

I used to just run on the treadmill at the gym and then get pursuaded to do the manchester 10 k and I got  into running outdoors as well. I said my aim was to just get round. When I said I wasn't competative everyone laughed! I am doing it again this year and having done it in 1hr 6 min last year want to be about an hour this year. I have realised friends know me better than I know myself and I am definately competative  - just not fast.

Like lots of others weight loss would also be great- just not happened yet but even so love the love fresh mornings and just being outdoors.

Freedom!  I love being in the hills (I am fortunate to live in the North Pennines) but I find it very relaxing to run.  I don't like pushing myself too hard (I can't afford to be knackered after a session what with a difficult job and big family so no slouching around the house when tired!) but to be in the hills chatting to a friend for 15 miles is just fantastic.  

And it means that when I do my adventure racing it's not too painful!  Fell running / adventure racing - you meet the most brilliant, inspiring and friendly people who all understand the liberation you get from pushing your own boundaries.  I'm not worried about my time - the satisfaction comes from challenging myself.

Just come in from racing the setting sun back to the car having run through the snow in gorgeous winter conditions: need I say more?!

Why I started to run is mainly I got too old for my first sporting love - Rugby! So after 30 plus years of front row rugby never really running more than a yard I hung up the boots and pulled on the trainers. That was in 2008 I have now run 4 half marathons and will be running number 5 in March.

It the buz and feeling of being alive that really does it for me. I'm not a born runner but I love running and hope to be able to keep runnign for many years to come

Cross posting this from the facebook group as I think it would make an interesting discussion topic (I've certainly enjoyed reading everyone else's as they've come up on that page!)

Why I run:
1) Started running as a cheap (pre-garmin and other gadgetry!) way of losing some weight/getting fit
2) Began with Couch to 5k and tried accompanying it with a blog - I should really start that again
3) My Dad has been a runner as long as I can remember, and I thought it might be something we could do together as I have a rather dubious relationship with cycling involving broken limbs!

Why I STILL run:
Well I can't say I've TOTALLY caught the running bug ... yet (I've no doubt it will come) but I must like it enough to keep going out come wind, snow, and frozen pavements...
But I have to say that the GRG and the facebook community keep me running - all your encouragement and inspiring me (you crazy people) to sign up for a marathon and all the general running chat and support is amazing - I think without you all I would have give up months ago.

Look forward to hearing your stories!

Elly