Why I am doing RED January

I've decided to sign up to the challenge called RED January.

RED stands for Run Every Day, and it is a challenge that spans the entire month of January 2018, hence the name RED January.

Far from being a gimmick to make people start exercising in the New Year, the purpose of RED January is to give people an incentive to stay physically active for 31 consecutive days, while raising awareness and money for Mind, a mental health charity.

Considering that I already run 4-5 times a week without needing any motivation to do so, why am I taking part in RED January?

The simple answer is that I want to give something back.

I love running. Taking up running as a hobby has improved my mental wellbeing. It calms my mind, it clears my head of unhelpful thoughts and it puts me in the moment - when I'm hitting the pavement or the grass, I can focus on my breathing, my technique and the distance I've covered. When I'm running in a group, it provides an excellent social outlet with people who I share a common interest with.

Running pulls me out of my own head and my repetitive and negative thoughts. It allows me to use my body for a constructive purpose.

Every time I lace up and step outside - even when it's pitch black and freezing, even when a session of gruelling hill sprints is imminent, even when I have to run for 10 miles without stopping - I know that I'm about to do something special. It's a privilege to have a body that will allow me to do this, and I want to use my physical abilities in a productive way.

So I'm raising money for Mind, a mental health charity. I hope to give them a donation from the money that I raise in January. Many people have faced and will face mental health problems in their life. It's a horrible place to be, but I believe that Mind provide excellent support for those people who struggle with their mental health.

My belief is that physical and mental wellbeing are intrinsically linked. I know from personal experience that when my physical health is good, my mental health improves. When I'm doing a physical activity that requires some degree of effort, my mental fortitude improves. Conversely, when I'm feeling low or defeated, I feel physically lethargic and drained. Of course, there's no quick fix to mental illnesses, and that's why we need charities such as Mind.

I hope to use the abilities that I have to make a difference somehow. I will keep physically active every day in January, whether it's running or even walking 15,000 steps, or cycling for 24 miles or swimming 55 laps at the local pool. By doing this challenge, I will be doing two invaluable things: boosting my own mental wellbeing and supporting a mental health charity.

Roll on January. No excuses.