Join a running community – you won’t regret it | Letters

I loved Ioan Marc Jones’s article because it’s an honest reflection of the struggle of getting into running when you need exercise but don’t necessarily want it (Nipple tape, pickle juice and dinosaurs: how I learned to love running, the unorthodox way, 12 August). For me, the gamechanger was joining a running club. I’m not a naturally social person and I felt so nervous on my first session, but it’s such a warm, nonjudgmental community. I run with people of all ages and it’s really improved my pace and enjoyment of running.

I think that’s true of a lot of the running community. I do parkrun here in Yorkshire, but recently ran it in Aviemore and Thurso in Scotland and received such a warm welcome. I always thought that running was about being elite and competitive, but this showed me another way.
Sarah Tolson
Baildon, West Yorkshire

I also hate running, but I’ve been doing the local parkrun for 12 years now and have clocked up 341, with the aim of reaching 500 by 2031. It’s always hard work, and it’s become harder as I’ve got older, especially after losing all the fitness I built up before Covid. I stopped running altogether during that period. Now it’s very much a lot of effort for little gain, but it’s worth it. Taking up parkrun is one of the best bits of advice given to me.
Aziz Rajab-Ali
London

As a confirmed nonrunner, I enjoyed Ioan Marc Jones’s article about breaking through the boredom and pain of running. But if I could offer him some advice, it would be to try cycling instead. It provides a perfect speed to take in your surroundings, and the need to be in the moment is an antidote to boredom.
Nicola Ralston
London

Thanks, Ioan Marc Jones, for your funny, frank, inspiring article on finding your own way into the world of running. You’ve shown me how to find my own path and given me a perfect excuse to drink pickle juice. Also, I would have liked your nan, and since I once was in the automotive industry, will henceforth use her term “undercarriage”.
Marcia Silvestri
Plainville, Massachusetts, US