James Taylor, known to his friends and family as Jim, began his running journey about a decade ago. Like many new runners, he eagerly applied for a spot in the London Marathon but found himself unsuccessful for three consecutive years. This experience is not uncommon; many can relate to this pattern. However, Jim’s running journey has evolved over the years into something much more significant than just completing 26.2 miles in London. It has become a transformative, and perhaps even life-saving, endeavor.
From weight loss to mental health
Initially, Jim took up jogging primarily to lose weight. Although he enjoyed achieving personal bests at parkrun, his focus remained solely on shedding pounds. He reminisces, saying, “Things like tempo runs, different training paces and structured sessions never really crossed my mind,” he recalls. “The only numbers that I was interested in were the ones on the scales.” Recently, Jim recognized that he was pursuing something far more meaningful than a marathon entry and a slimmer physique, realizing that running played a pivotal role in this quest.
Facing depression and finding support
“I was diagnosed with severe depression in August 2025, but that came after months of struggling in silence,” he shares. “I was never at risk of acting on those feelings, but I will admit that, at my lowest points, I sometimes didn’t want to be here.” Fortunately, Jim’s loving family supported him, and his wife encouraged him to visit a GP, who then prescribed a treatment plan. This intervention, he explains, helped clear his mind and reignite his passion for running, which he then pursued with vigor.
“I was getting PB after PB – and although I’m not the fastest runner, I smashed around 12 minutes off my 5K time and was consistently running sub-30-minute 5Ks. That was massive for me.” Jim states. “I still find the social side hard work at times, as I’m naturally quite introverted,” Joining a running club proved to be a beneficial move for Jim. “But I’m a member of two Solihull-based running clubs and they’ve been absolutely amazing. The support that I’ve received has been unreal, both at club sessions and outside. “Quite a few members know about my mental health struggles and some check in on me outside of club days, which means a lot. It’s amazing to have people who care about how you’re doing as a person, not just how you’re doing as a runner. “Both clubs insist that nobody gets left behind and I love that. There are run leaders at the front, middle and back of the pack, offering support and encouragement, or simply walking alongside you when you’re absolutely blowing out the back. “For me, that’s what running clubs should be about. It doesn’t matter how fast you are or how far you can run – you’re part of the group and people are there to support you. My dog, Lola, and my two daughters also join some of the Sunday sessions, which is an added family bonus.” he admits. “I once took it upon myself to complete a 5K in an inflatable flamingo costume, not realising that the opening for the legs was only above my knees,”
“So I basically hobbled the whole event as I couldn’t bend my legs. It wasn’t even for charity – it was purely for the craic!”
“These days, running is my therapy. For 30 to 60 minutes, I can put on my headphones, head off and shut out the noise of the world for a while. It gives me space to breathe, process things and focus on something that’s just for me.”
“Running hasn’t magically fixed everything, but it has become a really important part of how I look after my mental health.”
Finding joy in running
While running has positively influenced Jim’s mental health, he also enjoys having some fun with it, even if it comes with a risk. “My running dropped off and I gained 35lbs.” he recounts. “I was absolutely thrilled,” Now, Jim views weight loss as a secondary benefit of running rather than the primary motivation.
“And I’ve got a Saturday place, which makes it feel even more special.”
“I know what running can do for me, physically and mentally,”
Overcoming challenges and future goals
“I’m not doing it alone. The support that I get from my family and running clubs means a huge amount and I’m incredibly grateful to have those people around me.”
Following the London Marathon, Jim plans to run the Cardiff Half Marathon for the mental health charity Mind, but he assuredly will not be donning a flamingo costume this time.
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