The power of running to heal and inspire is real.
In this More Than Miles story, we meet Sean McCrossan from Manchester. Whilst many see running as a physical challenge, Sean’s story reveals something much more profound: running can be a transformative activity for the mind, body and soul.
From Solitary to Social
Initially, Sean ran alone, finding solace in solitude. However, about four or five years ago, things began to change.
“I started running quite a while ago but only seriously got into it within the last four or five years really and was very solitary with it at first but then started park run, met Qudus, who’s also wearing the kit tonight, and just became more social with it,” he recalls. “And that led to joining Plodders (Running Club) and meeting all these new friends.”
Finding his running tribe has transformed Sean into an integral part of the Manchester running community. But, beyond the social aspect, Sean has found immense mental health benefits in running too.
A Path to Mental Clarity
What began as a fitness endeavour evolved into something far more beneficial.
“Running for me is like a mindfulness practice. It started out like most people as just a fitness thing, a casual thing,” Sean explains. Every stride takes him a step closer to mental clarity. “But then I realised how important it was and how much it helped me day to day, and the more I ran without headphones and the more I ran without listening to podcast and listening to music, the more it became something that was almost like meditation.”
Running for Recovery
Running has also played a pivotal role in Sean’s recovery from alcohol use.
He candidly shares his experience: “I used to be a big drinker. I managed to stop drinking before I became an alcoholic, but the urge was there, and I cut that out and that gave me time to get into running and my weekends were free and my weekends were back, and it opened up this whole new part of my life and it kind of sounds a little bit cliché, but it completely changed my outlook on things.”
In trading one addiction for another, Sean found a more fulfilling path in the endorphins, fresh air and sense of accomplishment from running.
The Holistic Benefits of Running
In a world obsessed with appearance and performance, Sean’s perspective on running goes far deeper.
“I did it for fitness at first. I lost a load of weight. I lost like 30kg.” However, his motivations evolved over time. “I was never fast enough to run for clout when I first started,” he says. “I struggle with anxiety when I don’t go running, and I think the peace that comes from running, that’s the most important thing.”
Then, the physical benefits of running have become secondary. “It kind of doesn’t matter anymore about the fitness. I haven’t stepped on a scale for a long time. I haven’t cared about what I look like for a long time,” he admits. His focus has shifted to the mental clarity that running brings. “When you go out running for your mind, the fitness will follow.”
Resilience Is Bouncing Back Stronger
Sean’s running journey is filled with highs and lows, and his ability to overcome adversity resonates with us at SUDU.
“For me, resilience is about coming back when things get hard,” Sean shares. “Last year, I had this incredibly bad arm break. I had surgeries and I got two titanium plates in my arm, I was sat on the sofa for three months on morphine and my first run back was 2k along the beach because I was afraid of falling over and hurting myself again, and that 2k was probably one of the hardest runs I’ve ever done.”
He continues, "I remember saying to my friends after it, ‘Yeah, I think I’m out of running now. I’m not going to come back to it.’ And then speaking to people at Plodders, I realised that that was a stupid thing to say because running has brought me back from other things. It’s been crucial in bringing me back from the brink of anxiety and issues like that. So being resilient enough to come back from things, that’s what it means to me.”
Every Step is a Story
And Sean’s story is a reminder that running might be the answer whether you’re looking to improve your mental health, overcome challenges or simply find a new hobby.
Do you have a More Than Miles story of your own? Share it with us on TikTok and Instagram!