{"id":94363,"date":"2025-08-05T14:00:29","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T06:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shopee.sg\/blog\/?p=94363"},"modified":"2025-10-22T16:25:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T08:25:29","slug":"why-is-everyone-running","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shopee.sg\/blog\/why-is-everyone-running\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is Everyone Running: Hear It From A 3-Year Active Runner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Running has always felt like one of the most accessible sports out there. You don\u2019t need fancy gear or a gym membership \u2013 just your legs, a decent pair of shoes, and you’re good to go. You can run on a treadmill, around your block, or out in the great outdoors. But lately, I\u2019ve noticed something different. Running seems to be <\/span>everywhere<\/i><\/b>. Running clubs are popping up in Singapore, and my IG feed is full of people crossing finish lines at marathons.<\/span><\/p>\n

It got me wondering: what\u2019s behind this wave of runners? And more importantly, how do you even get started if you\u2019re new to it? To dig a little deeper, I chatted with Joanna, our colleague who runs twice a<\/span> week. She opened up about how she got into running, how she stays consistent, and what it\u2019s given her beyond just fitness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meet Joanna: Why she runs (and keeps running)<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

Joanna, now in her 30s, has been running consistently for nearly three years. Along the way, she\u2019s completed more than six marathons and races \u2013 a clear sign of her dedication and resilience. It\u2019s safe to say she\u2019s a tough runner, and we couldn\u2019t help but admire her spirit as we sat down to hear her story.<\/span><\/p>\n

But first, why is running on the rise?<\/span><\/h2>\n

More people are running than ever \u2013 and the stats back it up. According to a <\/span>2024 YouGov study<\/span><\/a>, over 40% of Singaporeans now run at least once a week. That\u2019s nearly half the population putting foot to pavement regularly.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s fuelling this surge?<\/b><\/p>\n

Joanna has a theory: \u201cIt often starts with one influencer or that one super-fit friend. Next thing you know, everyone\u2019s signing up for marathons and joining running clubs [in Singapore]. And let\u2019s be honest \u2013 it\u2019s a great excuse to invest in overpriced shoes, eat carbs guilt-free, and chase a [shiny] medal and banana at the finish line.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Standard
(Credit: Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon<\/a> \/ Facebook)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her theory holds up, especially with running events like the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. To keep up with growing demand, the race intends to adopt a two-day format. Participation in the Half Marathon has jumped by 46%, while the Full Marathon has grown by 31% in just three years.<\/span><\/p>\n

How did Joanna get started \u2014 and did she even like it?<\/span><\/h2>\n

And if you think all runners were born motivated, Joanna\u2019s story will feel refreshingly honest. Her introduction to running? Peer pressure, plain and simple.\u00a0 \u201cThree of my friends were actively participating in marathons and kept trying to recruit me,\u201d she explained. Despite their efforts, she consistently declined \u2013 until one day they signed up for the Yellow Ribbon Run and needed an extra participant for a group discount. Joanna was persuaded to join.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Why<\/p>\n

Her first run was a 5K practice session, which she describes as challenging. \u201cIt felt like torture. I questioned all my life choices halfway through and wondered why I was paying to suffer,\u201d she recalled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the rough start, Joanna\u2019s perspective on running has since transformed. \u201cNow, I genuinely enjoy it. It\u2019s not only an excuse to spend time with friends but also a way to meet new people. And the health benefits? Much better than I expected. I actually feel good afterwards.\u201d She concluded with a laugh, \u201cI never thought I\u2019d say this, but I\u2019m glad they dragged me into it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Inside Joanna\u2019s training habits<\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Staying consistent with a group\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Why<\/p>\n

Keeping up with a regular running routine isn\u2019t always easy, especially on busy days. Joanna credits her motivation to a supportive community she helped create. \u201cWe have a running group called \u2018Joanna\u2019s Joggers.\u2019 At first, I thought they named it to mess with me, but they said it\u2019s because I\u2019m always recruiting new members.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What started as a group of five has since doubled in size. \u201cWe run every Wednesday after work and Sunday mornings. Everyone\u2019s really encouraging and supportive. Sure, there are lazy days, but there\u2019s always that one friend who guilt-trips the rest into showing up \u2013\u00a0 just kidding\u2026 kind of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The group\u2019s camaraderie is key. \u201cWhenever someone feels down or unmotivated, the group is always there to lift them up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Taking breaks (without guilt)\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Taking<\/p>\n

Joanna admits that taking breaks from running is part of the process. \u201cWe usually take a break for two weeks to a month after a marathon \u2013 our \u2018holiday mode,\u2019 which means guilt-free rest and maximum snacks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But getting back into running can be tough. \u201cHonestly, every time we return, it feels like hitting the reset button. That\u2019s why we jokingly call ourselves \u2018Always Beginners.\u2019 No matter how many medals we have, that first comeback run feels like Day 1 all over again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

To ease back in, they start slow. \u201cWe kick off with a 5K at snail\u2019s pace \u2014 no shame in that. We do a few of those runs, then gradually work our way back up to longer distances. There\u2019s always someone ready to suggest a 10K or even 13K! It\u2019s all about easing in, hyping each other up, and pretending we\u2019re not dying inside. Progress over pain… kind of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Getting better, not faster<\/span><\/h3>\n

When asked how she improves or gets faster, Joanna is humble. \u201cI don\u2019t consider myself a fast runner. I focus on consistency rather than speed. Building endurance is the priority, and over time, progress comes naturally. For me, speed is just a bonus \u2013 consistency is the real win.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joanna also shares why she chooses to participate in marathons. \u201cMarathons give me a goal to work toward \u2013 a personal test of how far I can go and how strong I am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Crossing the finish line is deeply rewarding for her. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about speed or distance; it\u2019s about proving to yourself that you can do hard things. It teaches you not to quit when life gets tough. Every race is a reminder of the effort it took to get there and how far you\u2019ve come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the miles: How running changed Joana inside and out\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

Over time, all those runs \u2013 the slow 5Ks, the comeback Sundays, the midweek struggles \u2013 started adding up. Joanna had unknowingly built something real: not just a routine, but a rhythm. And with that rhythm came a desire to document it, not for the likes, but as a way to track how far she\u2019d come.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tracking her progress \u2013 and owning it<\/span><\/h3>\n

Why do you share your running journey on social media?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cIt helps me track progress, celebrate small wins, and hopefully inspire someone else to give running a try,\u201d she says. \u201cIf you knew me a few years ago, you\u2019d never guess I\u2019d be this into running now. But honestly, if I can do it, anyone can. Nothing\u2019s impossible when you really commit and put your heart into it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stronger with every run, on and off the track\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

In fact, running has been a profound teacher for Joanna. \u201cIt\u2019s taught me a lot about myself,\u201d she reflects. \u201cThere are no shortcuts \u2013 progress only comes with consistency and effort. Whenever I start to doubt how far I can go, I look back and realise how far I\u2019ve already come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She emphasises that running isn\u2019t about competing with others but about personal commitment. \u201cThings don\u2019t necessarily get easier, but you do get better, stronger, and more confident with every run. And that\u2019s running \u2013 same goes for life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you see running as part of your identity?<\/b><\/p>\n

Two years ago, Joanna would have answered emphatically \u201cno.\u201d Today, running is undeniably part of who she is. \u201cIt\u2019s strange, but my body actually craves it,\u201d she admits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the physical, running has shaped her mindset. \u201cIt has taught me discipline, patience, and how to keep going even when things get tough. So yes, it\u2019s become a significant part of my identity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So\u2026 How do you start running?<\/span><\/h2>\n

When asked what she would say to someone new to running or struggling to start, Joanna offered this advice: \u201cStarting can be tough, I get it. Running feels hard, and sometimes your mind tells you to quit before your legs do. But here\u2019s what I\u2019ve learnt \u2013 the things that challenge you the most are the ones that help you grow. Yes, running can feel uncomfortable at first. But if you push through that pain, even just one step at a time, you\u2019ll start to realise you\u2019re capable of more than you thought. It\u2019s not just about fitness, it\u2019s about proving to yourself that you can keep going, even when it\u2019s hard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo the question is, are you willing to try, to take that first step, and see what you\u2019re really capable of?<\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Why you might want to lace up too<\/span><\/h2>\n

From spontaneous 5Ks to medals at major marathons, Joanna\u2019s journey is a reminder that running isn\u2019t just about speed or endurance \u2013 it\u2019s about showing up for yourself. So if you\u2019ve been wondering why everyone in Singapore is joining running clubs lately, maybe the better question is: Why not you?<\/span><\/p>\n

Need a little help getting started? Check out our other articles on <\/span>affordable activewear brands<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>upcoming running events in Singapore<\/span><\/a> \u2013 we\u2019ve got plenty of advice and recommendations to support you on your running journey.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Is running the new fitness craze?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":95911,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"2","parallax":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"bottom","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"1","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_prev_next_post":"1","show_popup_post":"1","number_popup_post":"3","show_author_box":"1","show_post_related":"1","show_inline_post_related":"0","show_comment_section":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"no-crop","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-715"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":""},"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_override_bookmark_settings":{"override_bookmark_button":"0","override_show_bookmark_button":"0"},"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_review":[],"enable_review":"","type":"percentage","name":"","summary":"","brand":"","sku":"","good":[],"bad":[],"score_override":"","override_value":"","rating":[],"price":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"jnews_post_split":{"post_split":[{"template":"1","tag":"h2","numbering":"asc","mode":"normal","first":"0","enable_toc":"0","toc_type":"normal"}]},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[600,163,1518],"class_list":["post-94363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-fitness","tag-cardio-workout","tag-healthy-lifestyle","tag-outdoor-sports"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Is Everyone Running: Hear It From A 3-Year Active Runner<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Why is everyone running? 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