Jill Brindley noticed an improvement in her physical and psychological well-being when she took part in Cancer Research UK’s race for life.

 

Two weeks before Christmas I was made redundant. My boyfriend and I had split up a month before, so getting laid off really was the icing on the cake. Come New Year I was a broke and lonely mess. My confidence had plummeted and I couldn’t drag myself out of bed in the morning to look for another job.

My doctor suggested anti-depressants. My cousin suggested we take part in Cancer Research UK's race for life.  Being un-sporty, a bit overweight and a casual smoker, anti-depressants seemed the most inviting option. However, my aunt had died from breast cancer in 2006 and I really wanted to support my still grieving cousin in raising money for cancer research. 

I can’t say it was easy to begin with, but it only took me a few weeks to get beyond the huffing, puffing and muscle-aching stage. Before long I began to notice I had much more energy, and even though I was still unemployed, I started to actually look forward to getting up in the morning and going for a run.

The endorphins that are released during exercise can, apparently, have a similar affect to anti-depressants. 

Now running has me well and truly hooked. I’m in a new job, I’m the weight I’ve always wanted to be, and I’ve quit smoking for good. But best of all I managed to raise over four hundred pounds for Cancer Research in the race for life. 

If you want to give running a try I recommend that you first check out Want To Start Running?