One of the topics I seem to come back to often as a coach is ‘environment.’ By environment I don’t really mean climate change and planting trees, nor do I necessarily mean a high performance environment like high altitude training camps, this is more about the environments that we choose to train, socialise and are raised within.
During my time in Switzerland recently, it became really obvious that the environment was conducive to having more fit people. Let me explain…
Good quality roads and bike paths = more people choose to ride = fitter people.
Mountainous terrain with plenty of marked trails = more people hiking = fitter people.
Lots of bike parking at stations / offices = more people commuting by bike = fitter people.
Clean and green public spaces = more parents taking their kids out of the house = fitter people
Of course its not all that linear and simple. As any public health expert would tell you, there are hundreds of determinants of peoples health, but environment is certainly one of the most important ones, so it’s definitely worth thinking about what environments you are regularly a part of.
Two particular running ‘environments’ stand out to me at the moment, which I can see are positively influencing peoples mental and physical health: parkrun and trail running.
1. Parkrun
For those who don’t know parkrun (www.parkrun.com.au), first of all, where have you been?? This is a free, community led, timed 5km run, which takes place every Saturday morning. It’s roots are in London but now reaches as far afield as South Africa, New Zealand, the US and Australia. It open to all ages and abilities, from ex-Olympians, to dog walkers, pushchair runners, serial volunteers, baby carriers, costume wearers, cake eaters (me!) and more. It rewards all of these people in one way or another. Each of these people are competing against themselves and each other by running to improve on their previous times which are all online and updated weekly. This has become such a success that parkrun is now setting up kids-only events, events in prisons and GP’s are now prescribing it.
This one event has become a positive component of so many lives that allows for social interaction, sporting feedback, reflection and the planning of new goals and challenges. It also provides people with a structure that reinforces healthy, positive habits. I have seen more self improvement, determination, commitment, generosity, and companionship amongst the 300+ people that regularly run or walk at my local parkrun, than I have experienced in any other sporting environment as a child or as an adult. These are great qualities to be exposed to on a regular basis, and I for one am a better and healthier person for it.
2. Trail Running
As runners we also see plenty of healthy, inclusive activity out on the trails. It is no coincidence that trail running is booming and that as people tick off one bucket list road marathon or half marathon, they ‘try something new’ and head to the trails. The vibe is different, there’s less pressure on times, paces or positions and its ok to go slow! Given that, don’t mistake these events for ‘a walk in the park’, we don’t have to look far to find world class, competitive, respected athletes like Lucy Bartholomew, Kirstin Bull and Kellie Emmerson who run the same trail at the same time as you and I. They are also just as likely likely to dish out a high five, hang around for the after party and have a chat openly and honestly with the person who finished 3 hours behind them.
When you think about it, we spend so much of our lives avoiding what is truly difficult, competitive or testing, but when it comes to trail running we seem to lap it up! The courses are harder, theres more equipment needed, there’s more risk of snake bites, falling off a cliff or twisting an ankle (sorry Kath…). To me, this means it’s more than just the running which attracts us to these events. It’s the environment that is created through the remoteness, the getting in touch with nature, the community support, the real access to amazing role models, the lack of airs and graces and more. At these events we can connect with smiling, chatty, enthusiastic volunteers armed with cake, lollies, coke and salty snacks at every aid station, whilst doing supporting environmentally friendly initiatives like no plastic cups on the course, zero tolerance for littering, supporting local environmental charities through registration fees etc.
Both of these running environments are competitive in their own way, but they also value community, health and inclusivity above everything else. When I think about it, I have heard more open discussions about health and mental health in these environments than anywhere else. These conversations simply wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for the environment that allows people need to feel safe, valued and listened to.
These two environments are genuine win-wins, that build on the power of sport to positively improve the physical and mental health of individuals and the whole population, whilst still being competitive in their own way. The feel good factor with these environments is so strong that it keeps us coming back for more, keeps us training, socialising and that makes us fitter and healthier people. We would be stupid not to learn from them.
I would love to see us runners, no matter what level we are at, thinking more about the environments that we are part of or perhaps should be part of in order to get what we need for our running and our health.