Jogging: questions and Band 8 answers

I try to go at least a couple of times a week, usually first thing in the morning. It really helps clear my head before work, especially if I've got a busy day ahead. I've got a decent pair of running trainers, so I just lace up and head out for about twenty minutes.

I much prefer jogging around the local park near my flat rather than along busy roads. The main reason is that the path is much softer on my joints than hard pavements, and there's far less traffic noise, which makes the whole experience much more relaxing.

To be honest, I'm definitely a solo runner. When I run on my own, I can keep my own pace without feeling pressured to speed up or slow down. Plus, it gives me a chance to listen to music or a podcast without any distractions.

Not particularly, if I'm being honest. Back in primary school, running was always part of sports day or PE lessons, and it felt more like a chore than something fun. It's only as an adult that I've started doing it purely for fitness.

I'd like to think so. I've actually been thinking about signing up for a community five-kilometre race next spring, so I'll probably need to build up my stamina over the winter to make sure I can finish it comfortably.