It’s a question we ask all our customers at Run-It. But the answer depends on who you talk to. Run-It supplies running shoes, clothing and accessories to athletes of all ages and abilities, so we are always interested in how they got started.

Health and Fitness

Most people get into running for health and fitness reasons. The government and the media have realised that the sedentary lifestyle we have led in the recent past has brought about chronic obesity, increased heart disease and a number of other physical complains and a range of psychological issues too.

No-one doubts that running will improve your overall health and fitness but also many runners will develop a sense of well-being as they feel and look better, improve their mobility and connect socially with more people. And Running is an excellent way to de-stress after a hard days work.

Social

Some runners do so to meet up with a friend or a group. It doesn’t require thrashing around a court or a plethora of technical equipment. Running can be done at any pace so you can chat along the way.

Several running groups exist in the Preston area organised by “Run In England” and the “Women’s Running Network” that are mainly social groups running to get fit and meet other people.

Charity

Many charities now include running and walking among their list of events to draw in donations. They are fantastic social events as well as working for a good cause. Many personal challenges have been met while running for a charity and the passion to complete the event is often driven by a personal experience with the charity concerned.

Competition

There are many committed athletes in Preston that run on roads, fells, trails and treadmills that enter races on a regular basis. Quite often they are not part of any organised group or club but are using the races as personal targets.

Run-It supplies “the Famous” Preston Harriers with its club kit, spiked track shoes and equipment to help our athletes, young and old, compete against similar clubs across the country. Red Rose Runners, Wesham Runners and many others compete locally and nationally in all manner of running races.

There is also an increase in interest in triathlons: swimming, running and cycling events. Several local clubs, such as Preston Triathlon Club and Fylde Tri Club, draw members from across the county. Preston Swimming Club members regularly compete in biathlons and duathlons: running and swimming.

Help the Environment

With money tight and the message about managing carbon emissions some people are taking to the roads on run for shorter journeys and for regular travel, such as to work and back, many are swapping the briefcase for a backpack and running.

Whatever the reason for running, we always recommend our customers plan their running, seek advice when needed and wear the right shoes.

"Sports Bra Information Day? (accompanied by a snigger) Yeh!"

Why does the mention of Bras and women's breasts and bouncing prompt a response from a seveties sit com?

I have to admit I did it myself. A young lady came into my newly acquired running gear shop, all shiny and just how I like it. Everything for the running man. And woman. The young lady was brave enough to ask about the Shock Absorber bras I have on display and after a cough and splutter, there followed an exchange straight out of a Carry On movie. She was better at it than I was which was probably because she had heard it all before.

As she left the shop I realised that I could not let that happen again. Women that run and take part in high impact activities should not have to face a barrage of inuendo when enquiring about undergarments.

So it became my mission to know more, to understand and empathise and offer expert advice and direction for all future enquiries. That is much more difficult than it sounds.

A morning pouring over the internet, ringing suppliers, talking to relatives and friends, and putting up with the nudge, nudge, wink, wink from all but a few, revealed a myriad of ways to measure bra size. Some advice clearly was wrong (even in the eyes of a bloke) and a lot of it confusing or requiring a degree in advanced mathematics to work out the band size and cup size. I found a technical treatise on bounce measurement and minimisation that must have been a proud moment for someone when the PHD was handed over.

Help was at hand. The Rep from Pure Lime came to the shop in response to my pleas for assistance. A chat and cup of tea later I was examining the technicalities of bounce reduction, the reasons for it and the proper way to measure bra size. Only 20% of women are in the right bra size according to statistcs. Very few women realise the importance of having the correct support when running, dancing, horse riding or other high impact activities and whether big or small, young or old(er) women are doing damage to themselves.

A plan was hatched. An Information day for the Ladies, training for my female staff and a decent selection of bras in stock to provide a useful choice.

I now know more. I understand. However, I may never be able to empathise because of my gender. I can offer advice and direction but prefer to call on real experts in Bra measurement and selection: women.