Why am I running?
In this conversation with Stephanie Morrison (RGU and IFF), Gordon Martin and Richard Skinner (Media Unit HMP YOI Grampian), we talk about the next Santa 10k run and share thoughts about the impact of the running club on people especially on their mental health. We don’t run just because we want to be fit. Sharing biographical stories show unexpected motivation and deep emotions at the hidden roots for why we run.
Conversation: Paolo Maccagno with Richard Skinner (Media Unit HMP YOI Grampian), Stephanie Morrison (RGU and IFF), Gordon Martin (prisoner HMP)
Music: Dire Straits – Money for nothing, James Taylor – You’ve got a friend
Broadcast on Conair 21 – prison radio
0:00 Runningstories show trailer
1:40 welcome to everyone from Paolo Maccagno (Runforever) and some introduction from Richard Skinner (HMP Grampian), Stephanie Morrison (RGU and IFF) and Gordon Martin (prisoner HMP)
3:20 next goal for the Santa 10k run
4:29 Gordon talking about his experience with the running club
6:35 the importance to listen to your body and yourself more generally in running. Looking for health and not just being fit. See article by Dr. Phil Maffetone, Athletes: Fit but Unhealthy? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882373/
7:30 Stephanie’s perspective on health and the running club. The impact on mental health.
8:45 some reflections on the difficulties of measuring health
9:50 Gordon about the importance of running in prison, what motivates him to run and his dedication to his partner
13:00 about the new phase of the photovoice to capture the stories of runners and orient the running club in its journey. The relationship between the photovoice and the Runningstories radio show for their common interest for stories.
14:30 examples of similar experiences in other prison in the US paralleling the idea of a bridge between inside and outside brought by Runforever. See 26.2 to life, https://www.sanquentinmarathon.com/ , and https://www.earhustlesq.com/
16:15 “I’ve been told that my dad had cancer…”, Gordon mentioned when he was informed of the disease of his dad. In that moment he was close to a running machine and he made immediately the association with it and started running. Reflections on this anecdote from Richard and Paolo. Why am I running?
19:20 Song: Money for nothing – Dire Straits
23:00 a new idea emerging from the conversation: choosing songs and compose a playlist for the running club.
26:00 a new phase for Runforever at HMP Grampian, a deeper collaboration with the prison. The importance of creating an atmosphere of a group.
29:10 being a runner affects all your life. It becomes what you are.
29:40 around 70/80 people taking part to the running club since Runforever started in February 2023. Now the running club needs to grow outside as well.
31:20 Stephanie underlines once more the benefit of the running club on the mental health of people who can get into the flow of running and become one with it.
32:20 Song: You’ve got a friend – James Taylor