Whether I run outdoors or on the treadmill, it all comes down to my mental strength. Telling myself that I can do this, I can complete this workout.

Every time I run it’s a challenge to beat my brain. Many people would think running a half marathon every week is easy for me, no it’s not and it’s not for any elite runner either, it’s about getting in the right mindset. Having Aspergers I don’t have a lot of friends, so I talk to myself a lot as I run to help me get through it. I’m constantly telling myself “I can do this, Dan”, “I’m not stopping until I’m home”, “Anything is possible”.

“It’s how I get a front row seat to the calming, enjoyable spectacle of experiencing endorphins as they do their magical tap-dance inside my brain.”

Last night I ran an hour on the treadmill or what many runners call the “dreadmill”. I was so close to pressing the stop button after half an hour, but I’m glad to say I didn’t, I carried on and completed an hour on it. Ultimately, this was down to my mental strength. Treadmill running is hard, constantly pounding the belt at the same pace, with your heart beating at 161 beats per minute for an hour! It’s torture, but if you physically retune your brain, you’ll get through it and I did. What I try to do is zone out, relax and forget your running.

If you’re thinking of starting running, you need to change the way you think. Begin by running half a mile, then a mile, then two miles and increase it gradually. By doing this you’ll become mentally stronger, more confident and start to lose weight. Ultimately it’s you who has to get out the door, it’s you who’ll change your life.