Why I Run

Every month I visit the Lake District to spend a day running in the hills. It's good for the body, good for the head, good for the soul. I film the run and chat to myself about whatever feels important that day. This month: why I run (and why I think you should do too...).
I got very little footage for this film because the weather closed in, the rain became torrential, and I had to rescue a family that was totally lost round the back of Scafell Pike!

[@tomektruszczynski2414]

"...simple childlike delight of galloping as fast as i can over the hills, trying to see as much of the world as i can before bedtime." Spot-on, man. Spot. On.

[@mozo24237]

"Your comment" Spot-on, man. Spot. On

[@mattandtamsin]

This man is a glorious inspiration of fun loving positive adventure. His books put a smile on my face, his newsletters inspire me and his enthusiasm is contagious. Staying out of your comfort zone is the spice of life!

[@al_humphreys]

Thank you!

[@awolmallorca6327]

"Running always hurts, that'll never change" too true, but the distance you cover before the pain kicks in does, that's what does it for, steadily building, venturing further and experiencing more. Great little vid

[@PariahSojourner]

Thank you for the motivation!! I'm 54, and after a couple of years of being mostly sedentary (and getting up to 270 lbs.) I recently got off of my butt and began moving again - I used to be very active; surfing, biking, hiking. Every morning now, and sometimes in the evening, I walk anywhere from 2 to 6-7 miles. 10 years ago I had the ACL in my left knee replaced twice - the first one didn't take - and the doctor told me then that I have the beginnings of osteoarthritis in my knees, which I'm sure has gotten worse, as I can definitely feel some pain. But I've noticed that as I continue to move, over time the pain has lessened some. I can now do a "jog/walk" for a bit before settling into a nice walk. I know that if I stay consistent I'll soon enough be running again. Baby steps.

[@al_humphreys]

Well done!

[@SmartStr33t]

I've just started running again inspired by videos like this one and one by exurb1a. I have always hated obligation and competition so for me I do not time myself. I do not have an app, in fact I leave my phone at home. I do not listen to music. I do not buy expensive running shoes or clothes. I simply leave the house, and run at my own pace for my route, specially chosen so I won't see anyone. So far I'm really enjoying it.

[@jwricky]

I wake up at 6 am and run 2km before my shower and head to work. Some mornings I am too lazy to do it. I think I will play this as I run tomorrow. Thanks for the motivation.

[@sarahhamilton5879]

This little (big) ditty never gets old!

[@andrzejdanielewicz5529]

Love this video. Keep watching it everytime Alastair posts on his FB. Awesome,. awesome! :)))

[@Dirt2gold]

I love running. Trail run of 17.12km today is my birthday gift. I had a lot of fun. I was one with mother nature. It has been a great day ever!

[@JanMiklosko]

Ok this is the best "Why I Run" video.

[@stephanslingerland801]

Thank you Alastair, what an inspirational, beautiful video.

[@drewman747]

I often wake up before 4 AM to go for a run. I am always tired, usually sore, and it is always painful. It is my favorite part of my day, always.

[@krispringle83]

Your newsletter just pointed me to this. Great video Al. Pleased I watched it.

[@fredh3679]

I love so much this vidéo. I don’t Even know how many Times I Watch it.

[@capedmarauder]

Loved this. Thanks for this little bit of inspiration! I've been sitting at a computer all day, so I'm going for a run now :)

[@Anonymous-et7we]

capedmarauder are you still running?

[@capedmarauder]

Still trying! Getting better :)

[@Anonymous-et7we]

capedmarauder awesome!

[@raphaelfantini1535]

capedmarauder keep trying dude. I start run about 6 later and now I can run easy 20km in 26 min

[@TheWildbill242]

I'm 70 years old and have been running for just a little over 48 years. I love running. Running affects me physically, mentally and spiritually. It's my time to think and meditate. I will be watching your video many times. Thank you.

[@al_humphreys]

I hope that I am still running when I am 70!

[@designdigitalarchitecturel6417]

Alastair Keep inspiring - learning - exploring and MOST IMPORTANTLY ENCOURAGING

[@streeternwb7941]

Beautiful pictures, beautiful words, beautiful personThank You

[@deniskhakimov]

Great words and the way you're saying them :)

[@jamesartaxetiv5477]

Amazing video bro made me cry for some reason and I agree with what your saying I just fell in love with running it’s hard and it’s so gratifying it’s easy actually but also hard

[@WyeExplorer]

Ha ha ha! But I think you're wrong. I like that. Loving the way you're allowing your thoughts to run away there. It appears we run inside our minds also. Great stuff! Mark

[@RubenLightfoot]

Lovely little video! I started running every day at the end of January, and so far I'm up to about 170 days... I think today will be day 172. For me, running gives me something I can control and which gives me a sense of progression and development while keeping my mind rooted through my feet. We've had some unsettling political turmoil over the last couple of years, and before my running streak started I was finding myself feeling I was sinking into powerlessness. Lots of things seemed to be going really badly in the world, but what could I do to change anything? Well, it turns out I could change myself through running and maybe that's enough. If it makes me happier and better able to bring positivity to the world in my non-running life rather than drifting in the winds of negativity, it can't be a bad thing.

[@al_humphreys]

And I am really enjoying following your running streak from a distance too.

[@MohamedSinclair]

Amazing scenery...miss the Lake District hugely...now in Malaysia...in virtual lockdown so no running...oh well...

[@jarednewell5848]

You are an absolute inspiration Alistair, I have much to thank you for.

[@Bevfitness]

Fantastic! You never cease to amaze me Al! Loving this! ;)

[@guardiology3119]

One of my favourite videos on this website. Thank you.

[@morkra5810]

this is so inspiring, Thanks Al, over the past several years you've reawoken my need for adventure in this life!

[@al_humphreys]

Thank you!

[@aTDedit]

awesome stuff. Another great film. Thanks for sharing!

[@chivalrousknight997]

This was so beautiful, so motivated now!

[@JayOram]

Love this - Inspiring me to get back up to the Lakes as soon as possible!

[@PoetWithPace]

Wise words Alastair and thanks for the great filming and shots. Top man!

[@Dirt2gold]

Thank you for helping that family who was totally lost. I think I will run tonight. It's cold and raining now. 🏃

[@carlosalmeida1273]

Always... And Always u give motivation and inspiration! ☺ I love yours vids. Just... Keep going 👍 ☺️. Beautiful 🎥 👍. Tks for sharing.

[@jamesemery3399]

What an amazing video. I actually found it quite emotional. Interesting what you say because I always tell my friends who don't run, that running is a bit like being like a child again; it feels incredibly playful, and you feel free again like when you were a child.

[@jenniferblears192]

I love this! This is so inspiring, and everything you say is so true. I need to get out to the Peak and Lake districts with my Salomons.

[@ParadymShiftVegan]

Incredible! This is one of the best running videos I've ever seen 💯🏃🔥♥️😁 thank you so much for sharing! I love your perspective and attitude (: I'm a brand new runner myself but I'm addicted already

[@ImranWorldCyclist]

I've kinda forgotten about the joys of running since I took to the bicycle over 20 years ago, thanks for the reminder and inspiration as always Alastair. Great video!!!

[@Kjellcubing]

Wow, amazing words and video

[@fourbirdstos]

Hey man, thanks for taking the time to make this video and share your thoughts on running. I love running in the hills too. I totally agree with you that we all should make time for this sort of thing. It s good for the body, mind and soul. For those who cannot run, of whom I may one day be a part because of my knees and back, there are other alternatives like swimming, biking, wheelchairing. Just getting out, alone or with someone and getting your heart really working hard and breathing what fresh air there is really helps make life better in so many ways. Yay! I loved this video. Thanks

[@al_humphreys]

It is important to remember that all of our running days are limited - we must make the most of those that remain...

[@ParadymShiftVegan]

Thank you so much for sharing! 😁🔥♥️🏃💯

[@beast7793]

Brillant thank you 😊

[@ParadymShiftVegan]

I love this video so much ♥️

[@jjmoss2]

Love your stuff, just about to have an adventure myself: Riding a motorbike from the UK to Australia. Your videos / books have been a great source of inspiration! Jon

[@al_humphreys]

Good luck!

[@thisisjogon]

Love this Alastair. Keep it up.

[@ParadymShiftVegan]

This video gives me the biggest smile ♥️😁

[@MrPolinger]

Love this!

[@richardruns4cake]

Brilliant film 🎥

[@bgrant8664]

You're a real inspiration Alastair! I love running over Ilkley Moor in W.Yorkshire near where I live, the sense of freedom and the clarity that comes with running is hard to find anywhere else! Drive, dedication and determination! Awesome video

[@al_humphreys]

My dad used to have a chocolate shop in Ilkley...

[@bgrant8664]

Alastair Humphreys so you lived in Ilkley/ West Yorkshire for a while?

[@al_humphreys]

I grew up near Malham.

[@neele.2890]

aww so wonderful

[@BaldAlan]

Great words!

[@jackslash3121]

Aw I loved this.

[@highwaytohealth3211]

Eventhough i am a cyclist and trekking fan your words touched my heart man i totally agree with you.perfect landscape perfect life philosophy.l got to live on the mountains now!!!

[@varietylife6847]

Awesome!

[@Lorneplumber]

Quality as always Alistair

[@al_humphreys]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@diegoundreiner6392]

If i lived in the setting for the lord of the rings movie id run every day

[@camiramzi1]

Diego Undreiner run you fool.

[@ParadymShiftVegan]

I run on a hilly grass stretch about a half a kilo long every morning surrounded by suburbans housing

[@ecofamily8990]

now it's covid i run inside the house

[@beast7793]

amazing

[@vinceboyle5063]

"...see as much as the world I can before bed time."

[@lincolnlog9448]

Amazing

[@inshafibraheem5231]

Awesome 👍👍

[@RajkumarDasHD]

I will run from today

[@jckmaples]

So good

[@b1ue5wantv]

❤

[@Mookiethedog]

👍

[@JD-jl4yy]

Damn you're lucky to live in an area like that

[@DAN-bc5ev]

What a lovely film! Do you spend a day every month running in the Lake District? That’s quite a trek from London. Can you give a recommendation of a short run that I could start with, and give a few details of how you get there, where you stay? Any tip from you might help me get the energy to get out more...thanks!

[@al_humphreys]

A simple start would be to park / stay in Keswick, then run up and down Blencathra (throw in Skiddaw too if you want a longer outing.)

[@DAN-bc5ev]

Great, thanks!

[@andreabarra5288]

I think about it every day while running

[@yoghakisworo5307]

Inspirasi

[@paulspeirs1970]

Tramps like us, baby we were "born to run"..... check out the lyrics. It's about escaping the trudge. As you say in the video, children love to run and playing chase with my 5 year old daughter makes me smile so much I get laughter jaw ache. Again Daddy, again Daddy.... sometimes, the escape, it's their in your own back yard.

[@al_humphreys]

My word choices were no coincidence! Big fan of that song...

[@tomrobbins2358]

nice film Al. interested you visit the lakes to spend a day running once a month. I live in London and have done this once - train to Windermere (via Oxenholme), run over High Street to Penrith, train back. But I'm a bit stumped for alternatives. I don't thinking driving up, running, driving back would be safe in a day, so am limited to train. You got any good day-trip fell-run suggestions? ta

[@al_humphreys]

Pen y Fan is the nearest whopping hill to London. I occasionally bomb down the M4 to kip on top of it.

[@grandmasterflash213]

Nice

[@wazzup105]

If only I had easy access to terrain like that over here.

[@al_humphreys]

It's a 6 hour drive each way for me to get there, sadly. Worth the effort though.

[@kitj4109]

I've had to run, been made to run for work. Because of this I loath the idea of running. But when I think about the feeling you get after a solo run in the wilderness you can't get a better rush. You've inspired me to do more. Thanks al.

[@al_humphreys]

It feels good afterwards, like swimming in a cold river!

[@-manuel-2311]

Love u man , but this is like a funny add from Rick and Morty interdimension tv :))

[@NatSatFat]

Nice vid, inspiring, Can I ask you where are those incredible hills?

[@tomed9911]

Lake district

[@AnthonyMetcalf]

I love the music you've bedded that with. How's the violin coming along? I'm fortunate that I can hit reasonable hills a mile from home. But nothing matches the lakes.

[@al_humphreys]

I've retired...

[@AnthonyMetcalf]

Oh no! I guess the neighbours will be pleased? ;)

[@BadGecco]

My dream is to walk across the Pyrenees, think hiking boots are too heavy by my experience from the Alps. Which shoes are you using?

[@al_humphreys]

They are fell running shoes. I think you'd be better off with some trail shoes.

[@AdoringAdmirer]

Cheers, Great video, lad! What shoes are you wearing here? Would you recommend them to a friend?

[@al_humphreys]

Inov 8 shoes. Highly recommended.

[@AdoringAdmirer]

@@al_humphreys Thank you Alastair. Any particular model? And also, is the sizing regular?

[@mrremaroll624]

Song Name ? Need it to relax :)

[@steelhere5519]

I love to run because other people hate to run.

[@starboinashvlogspirationra2918]

Hello sir Humphrey. Are you on Instagram?

[@AnimaCosciente]

Why are you running ?

[@hilandmalt]

Get your shit done before the lamplight comes on!

[@randomboi7034]

why are you running, do you know da wae

[@adopodrinje1499]

wow I didnt know this was in england? I thought England didnt have such landscapes! it doesnt look European at all. more like bolivia or azian steps

[@silasolsen4184]

Ado Podrinje ehhh what? It can’t be more European and that does look much like England or Ireland

[@OlgasBritishFells]

This is exactly the landscape of the North of England where the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales are.

[@Matto_Harvo]

Who needs shoes?

[@al_humphreys]

Haha! Me!!

[@Mrmantiss]

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?

[@jackslash3121]

Aw I loved this.