A chat with Luke, Run Talk Run Milton Keynes

Luke is the leader for Run Talk Run Milton Keynes, and the most brilliant podcast host of The Stress Sessions. We loved our chat with Luke, and we’re sure this will encourage even the most reluctant runner to give Run Talk Run a try.

My journey so far

I've been a runner for quite a while now - I started running when I was in senior school and have always been pretty decent at it - and because of that, have always found it as a kind of outlet. As I've got older, I've taken running more seriously and started running 10km races regularly, then began training for half and full marathons, culminating in the 2018 London Marathon... the hottest one ever! Having aimed for a four hour marathon, and achieving four hours 20 minutes, I've vowed to get a time of four hours since! Thankfully, I'll be able to give it another go when I run the 2021 one next October after recently finding out I've got a ballot place - whoop!

This is where my mental health comes into the mix. I've been a sufferer of anxiety since my teenage years, but didn't realise this until I was diagnosed five or six years ago. It's been a really tough couple of years because I've been on numerous types of medication, had counselling and have very, very recently started a podcast called The Stress Sessions to tell my story and try to help other people out with any mental health problems they may have. In all honesty, I've only openly talked about my anxiety - and more recently depression - for the past half year or so. So it's been quite a journey since the beginning of 2020!

What brought me to Run Talk Run specifically

I sort of stumbled upon Run Talk Run through a mutual connection on Instagram, via Chloe, who's the leader of Run Talk Run Hackney. After seeing her posts, I took a punt and messaged her to see what it was all about and how to get involved... and haven't looked back since!

Having been inducted by Jess a few months ago, I had my own Run Talk Run Milton Keynes up and running just a few weeks later, and am now a Leader - which is awesome. 

How does running and RTR help me

For me, personally, running is an outlet. When I've got my headphones in with some great music playing - usually Chase & Status or Kanye - I go into my own little world. It doesn't matter whether I'm running a short 4km round the block or a half marathon, when I get into the zone, I'm transported away from my troubles, worries and problems. I also have this weird excess adrenaline from my anxiety that running takes away, which is great because otherwise it takes over me later on in the day... which becomes very difficult!

Run Talk Run is a completely different outlet for me because it gives you the chance to run with other people (it's great to have the company), without the competitiveness and there's no pressure to go at a fast pace - which is great as you can have a chat with the people you're running with - which, if you're a keen running, you'll know that you won't usually get to do! It has also helped to push me out of my comfort zone slightly, which is great because there's been a number of times where I've thought 'AHHH, I really don't feel like this today', but I have to go to the run because other members are relying on me to be there. And because of that, the responsibility has given me more confidence.

What would you say to someone who is nervous about coming to Run Talk Run

If you're nervous, you're feeling exactly how I'm feeling. Until I'm standing there, ready to run either on my own or with the other Run Talk Run members, my stomach is turning, I'm worried, and that's all taken away as soon as I get running and talking to everyone else. Basically, the way you'll be feeling is exactly the same as what other will be feeling. And there's no shame in that. Everyone's in the same boat. 

What I would say is that Run Talk Run has given me a little bit more confidence - just a little bit - but, I'm so appreciative of what Run Talk Run has brought into my life, and that's all thanks to Jess for being such an inspirational Founder, and Chloe for introducing me to it. So, yeah, thank you!