ABOUT
I’ve been commuting to work for 3 years now by using my two feet rather than the tube or bus. The route starts in Fulham, south west London, and takes me into the heart of London’s west end in about 45 to 60 minutes. The length of run is dictated by the weather in the morning, the daily schedule ahead, how ‘tip-top’ I feel when the alarm clock sounds off.
Fresh and happy faces are the norm along the Thames tow-path, through Hyde Park, along Belgravia, through Battersea Park, along Buckingham Gate, past Buckingham Palace. In fact, whatever route I choose in the morning, the general feeling is one of a pleasant and happy refrain amongst the other bi-ped commuters I meet on the way.
Put it this way, I certainly don’t get all the ‘effing and blinding’ and sharp elbows in the stomach that is so common on the London Underground! Or the grinding traffic that the bus encounters along the way. Looking at the alternatives, well, there are solid reasons to leave behind other unpleasant methods of commuting for city dwellers and commuters.
If you commute into a major city, then why not think about getting the overground into town and running from the mainline station you arrive at? Forget the underground or the bus. You’ll arrive at work healthier, fitter and in a better mood. Check out here in this articlefor what people really think of other methods into town.
Sure, there is a big cycling movement into major cities amongst commuters and I’m all behind that. Someone else I’m sure is blogging about that, but my method is running and it suits very well. Running to work has got me pretty fit over the last few years.
Having the opportunity to combine decent exercise with my commute into work has meant that I don’t really have to add on much peripheral exercise to maintain a decent level of fitness. I don’t run to work 5 times a week due to other commitments and giving the legs a rest on occasions, but I know that if I did I’d be saving extra cash and getting seriously fit.
I’m a ’30 something’ London office worker, and with most of my day sat in front of a computer I’m aware of the potential creep around the midriff! Nowadays we live such sedentary lives and not all of us have the time to fit in some meaningful exercise into our routines. The value of exercise for your physical and mental welfare is now common knowledge, and I figure I’ve found a very useful method of sticking with it: Running to work.
Through all of this I’ve gained a real interest in competitive running and maintain a rolling program of races throughout the country. (Cue shameless name dropping: meeting Gordon Ramsay at 2010 Hellrunner (photo above!)). Of course I never win any, but my run commute has made sure that I’m competitive and not struggling amongst the back markers. Although that’d be fine, too 
I’ve put this blog together as a guide for people who might be interested in running to work. If you’d like to get a bit fitter, drop Lbs, save £s and do your bit for the environment, then I hope these pages give you a nudge in the right direction. If you’d like to know about what kit to use, the logistics of running to work, a bit about weight loss and the positive effects of running and exercise on your mood and mindset, then you should find a bit in here.
I’d love to hear your feedback and any tips you might have or further research that might be needed. If you’re a fellow run commuter then drop me a line with your thoughts and any tips you might have.
Thanks for stopping by!
14 Comments
Fantastic website with some great advice, I especially like the Art of the Nonchalant Overtake! Very useful for helping London runners like me avoid ‘pavement rage’.
Thanks Dashinista. Yes, London’s pavements can get jammed at busy times but less so than the bus or wretched tube! I’ve linked into your stylish blog. All the best.
Great idea, I keep thinking about it when I squeeze to a central line every morning – how on earth do i agree and even pay to be in the crowded uncomfortable train instead of cycling or running.
Hi Sonia,
The central line can be woeful! You can pretty much only get a seat if you either live in Epping or Ruislip! I’m sure running to work is within the reach of many active Londoners and commuters. And it’s free. I hope you might find some ideas in here how to give it a whirl. Showering in the morning can be the biggest hurdle if your office doesnt have one. There are plenty of cheap gyms popping up with facilities!
Cheers
Hi Andrew,
Great website and a fantastic philosophy. The commute need no longer be a life-sapping, monotonous slog, but a great chance to improve fitness or move towards a racing goal. Sorry to post this in a comment section (but I can’t see a contact button), I’ve got my own running blog started over at http://www.myrunninglife.co.uk if you fancy a link exchange. Any tips or pointers also appreciated.
Cheers,
Stephen
Hi Stephen
Thanks for the email. Glad you like blog and good luck with getting yours up and going! I’ll PM you about your questions.
Cheers
Andrew
Love the idea behind this blog. Could we link our sites? If you look I sell women’s sports clothes and lots of them are suitable for running. I have lots more stock coming in over the next two months. I recently started wearing Supplex leggings from my own stock and they are getting me through the winter runs – love them.
Anyway – this is a fantastic idea – hope it goes well, zoe
Thanks Zoe, kind words
I’ll get in touch on your site. It looks great! Andrew
Hi,
I am writing an article on Run Commuting, and was wondering if I could get your input on the subject.
Thanks.
Hi Clint. Sure, I’d be glad to help. Let me know what you need from me?
Hi Andrew
Great website!
I’m a regular runcommuter (in Amsterdam, Brussels and now West London). Also based in Fulham and running to work in West End every day. I work in the property industry and have been campaigning for better workplace facilities for commuter cyclists and (importantly) runner/walkers on and off for a number of years. Would it be possible to get your contact details to discuss this offline?
Kind regards
Gareth
Hi Gareth
Keep up the good work with run commuting and the promotion of it! Look forward to meeting soon.
Cheers
Andrew
Hi,
great website!! Only point: all links on the “reccomended retails and kits” give “Oops…” error.
I’m considering running to work, but in order to do that I need a back able to fit
(1) a Macbook Air
(2) a full clothes change
can you please suggest me something specifically for runners that would fit it? No water needed.
Hello:
I’m writing a brief piece for ACCESS magazine (http://www.accessmagazine.org/) about “commuter runners” — i.e., hoofing it to and from work.
I prepared a brief (10 question) survey and am reaching out to runner clubs in hopes there are some members who hoof it to work, at least occasionally. If you or any contacts who have visited your web site have run to work in recent times, I’d appreciate you completing the very brief survey or passing it on to your members.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VV87RJN
Thanks,
Robert