LATEST EPISODE - Work pressures and running

My latest guest on Why Run? is Hasan, who works in finance - a career renowned for its high pressure and stressful lifestyle.

In 2010, Hasan quit his job after months of long hours, little managerial support and mounting corporate demands . At the time, he had no other job to go to, but knew that 'a line had been crossed' and that he needed to leave work if he was to protect his mental health.

In 2017, a friend Hasan hadn't seen for many years commented that he had "ballooned", as a result of his stressful lifestyle. At the time, Hasan said that the comment 'cut him to the heart', but it was the wake-up call he needed to start addressing his physical and mental health and to make his work practices more sustainable.

Hasan started walking and trained for the 70k Cancer Research UK - London to Brighton ultra walk. Always one for a challenge, Hasan completed the event in 33 hours. Through his training and long-distance walks, Hasan had gradually progressed to running by 2017.

Two years later, Hasan was made redundant and he says that running coming into his life was a blessing, which has help sustain him through the challenges he had to face at this time. Not only did Hasan lose his job, but the consequences of Brexit and then COVID, made it impossible for him to find a new one. When he had been out of work for six months, Hasan and his wife found out that they were expecting a baby. It was an extremely worrying and distressing time for him and his family.

'Running became a big thing for me (at this time),' said Hasan. ' I'd go for a half hour run and clear my mind and get away from job applications and just come back refreshed.'

Today, Hasan has run five marathons; organises a lunch-time running group at his workplace; and is part of various running movements, including: Adidas Runners,  Muslim Runners, parkrun and the Run Grateful movement 

He cannot now imagine a time when running won’t be a part of his life as it helps him to keep healthy, to think more clearly and to feel happier and better able to cope with the demands of his work.

With so many people facing extreme work pressures at the moment and suffering from burn out, Hasan's story is particularly poignant and has valuable pointers for those seeking to manage work pressures.

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