Running Stories: ‘Running almost pushed me over the edge’
When Mark, 26, found out his friend had taken his own life, he turned to running as a coping mechanism.
But it took over - and Mark says he’d “be out running before I even realised I was doing it”.
He created it as a safety bubble – then couldn’t get out: “I couldn’t figure out any other way of coping with anything.”
It was only when he spoke out about his depression that his relationship with running went back to normal.
He says: “My identity was built around me being a runner. Now I’d say I’m someone who runs.”
Running Stories is a Radio 1 Newsbeat video series to tie in with the renewed interest in fitness that January brings.
These are tales of how running has changed people's lives.
Video journalist: Woody Morris