How Does Running Make You Feel? We Asked Runners of All Levels

Everybody’s running journey looks different. There’s the origin story – maybe mum woke you up for a jog around the block as a kid, or you wanted to supplement your strength training with cardio. Then there’s the kind of running you do: bucket-list marathons, speed over distance, interval training, or just doing what feels right in the moment.

Of course, there’s also the feeling you get from running itself. Maybe you’re looking for the meditative rhythm of every one-two step on the road, or getting pumped up to a high-energy playlist of bangers. Perhaps this is the only time you get to yourself. Or maybe you’re chasing the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after.

Running can unlock an emotion that’s just for you – but you need a good pair of shoes to match your pace. Thankfully On’s got a wide range to choose from, designed for runners and built to support you throughout your running journey. Because for On, running fast isn’t something you can quantify: it’s all about how you feel. There’s an emotional side to running that can’t be captured by stats or specs, and that’s the kind of running On supports best. Plus, the sportswear brand has just opened its first Australian store in Bondi, with the Sydney stop of the global Lightspray Tour making it easy to discover the best running shoe for you.

We asked five runners – ranging from those who’d consider themselves beginners to lifelong athletes training for a new personal best – all about their running stories. Their answers are below, edited for clarity. Take these as inspiration, motivation, or just a peek into someone’s mind when they’re in that running flow state.

Jess Larmer-Barallon, senior campaign manager

How long have you been running for? I started running back in university and haven’t stopped since – that’s nearly 10 years of pounding the pavement.
What made you start running? My mental health. I was dismayed to discover running around the block makes you feel better than doomscrolling in bed. I really got into running during Covid, when the importance of getting out of the house became even more apparent.
What running goal are you working on at the moment? Now that I have a few 10K races under my belt, I’m slowly building towards my first half-marathon.
What do you listen to on your runs? Always music. My go-to running playlist is seven hours long, and has everything from ’70s disco to Doja Cat to High School Musical. If a song is fast-paced enough to run to and makes me feel good, it’s making it onto my next 5K!
What keeps you going? I love how rewarding running is. Being able to watch your pace and distance improve from run to run is a super special feeling. It’s also become an important part of my daily routine – I run on my lunch breaks these days, and the mood boost carries me through to the end of the workday.
What’s your favourite thing about running? Anyone can do it. There’s no cost to participate, no expensive equipment and no sign-up contract – you just need a good pair of shoes and you’re ready to go. I also love the social aspect; I’ve made lots of friends through my local run club.
How do you feel before, during and after a run? I’m often reluctant beforehand, especially during the cooler months or when I have a long run ahead of me. Once I’m out there and I’ve run a few kilometres, though, I hit my stride (literally) and, on a good run, feel like I’m flying. After a run, I’m red-faced and smug.
Who’s a runner who inspires you? My uncle. He’s 70 and still running 10Ks. He’s a reminder that, with the right mindset, running is for life.
On’s recommended shoe: Cloudmonster Hyper 3 for your first half marathon

Cara Culligan, jewellery merchandise coordinator

How long have you been running for? I’ve been running seriously again since the end of 2023, but I started in high school.
What made you start running? My introduction to running was through gymnastics in high school; during summer training, my team and I would run for a mile outside. I absolutely loved the running days, and my team gassed me up to join cross-country running when I retired from gymnastics. I did one or two seasons and kept getting injured. It was always a love-hate relationship.
What made me restart running was work had free spots for the Melbourne Marathon and I was like, “There’s no time like the present.” I signed up for the full marathon, never having completed anything longer than 10K. I trained for months. It was so rewarding when I did it. I cried at the finish line.
What running goal are you working on at the moment? Ultimately, I want to run an ultra-marathon, but now I’m training for my second marathon. My first marathon, I completed on an injured foot, but this training block I’m in a much better position: going to physio, taking care of my body, strength-training and, so far, injury-free.
What do you listen to on your runs? Sometimes no music, so I can enjoy the sound of my shoes hitting the pavement, birds chirping, how quiet the city is in the morning. Other days, I listen to everything from Nsync, Gorillaz and Olivia Dean to Mozart. Nothing is off the table. I also listen to audio books. I just finished one called A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy by Tia Levings. Her story is a great reminder of how women are so resilient and strong.
What keeps you going? I continue to run because it helps my mental health immensely. I have battled, and continue to battle, anxiety and depression, and running has helped so much with my daily life.
What’s your favourite thing about running? Running is my favourite way to see my city. There are so many spots in Melbourne you can’t access by car: little hidden gems with stunning views right in the middle of the city you can only get to on foot, bike or scooter. Certain parts of the Capital City Trail make me so grateful.
How do you feel before, during and after a run? Running makes me grateful for my health, my beautiful wife and the life we’ve built together. I spend a lot of time running alone, and running has helped me get to know myself better.
Who’s a runner who inspires you? Jennifer Mannion is one of my favourite runners; it’s so good to see a beginner turn into an ultra-runner. Her views on running are very similar to mine.
On’s recommended shoe: Cloudultra Pro for your second marathon

Wayne Ria Caggauauan, restaurant manager

How long have you been running for? I started running in 2022.
What made you start running? I wanted to challenge myself and be consistent with running post-uni. Before the Covid running boom, there were only a handful of run clubs and I liked the idea of doing it socially, but also being out of my comfort zone.
What running goal are you working on at the moment? To keep my running up – minimum three runs a week – and chasing a sub-three-and-a-half-hour marathon eventually. Also a one-hour-35-minute half-mara and sub-20-minute 5K.
What do you listen to on your runs? I don’t listen to much. If I’m running with friends, it ends up being a catch-up. Otherwise, I run without music and listen to what’s around me. Sometimes I’m on a call with friends or family, even Facetime.
What keeps you going? Running to me is a form of discipline, but also an outlet where I’m doing something for me and showing the result of consistency. I live a busy life working in hospo. Some days, I run to decompress and clear my head, sometimes it’s for the social aspect of catching up with a friend and getting the dopamine hit after. I also find running so beneficial to regulate my mental and emotional health. When I do long or hard runs, it builds resilience which translates to other aspects of my life.
What’s your favourite thing about running? I find that running is an individual feat and teaches me a lot about my inner workings. At the same time, when you do it with others – no matter what the distance, pace or experience – there is a level of connection that happens. Some of my great friends I’ve made through running; some of the best memories and most challenging moments, I’ve also found through digging deep from a run.
How do you feel before, during and after a run? It’s honestly so dependent on mood, feeling, who I’m running with and what type of run it is. And the weather, too – if the sun is out, I’m loving it pre-, during and after. But for the most part, pre-run I feel like, “Okay, gotta do this run, I’m also old now and I need to stretch more.” During is sometimes a roller-coaster with ups and downs. Post-run, I always feel thankful and accomplished.
Who’s a runner who inspires you? Karen Lu from One Step at a Time run club. We met through running when I actually stopped halfway and she did the whole 10K. Our second run was 20K where we yapped the whole way. Since then, she’s done some pretty amazing things like growing OSAAT, smashing out marathons and doing cool run events.
On’s recommended shoe: Cloudboom Strike 2 for a sub-3:30 marathon

Jayce Silvallana, sales & partnerships manager

How long have you been running for? I’ve got an on-again, off-again relationship with running. I first stepped onto the Jetts treadmill about 15 years ago, but after a few years of going steadily, it just dropped out of my routine until I picked it back up during Covid. These days, I just try to get out there, doing a couple of laps around Carlton Gardens three to four times a week.
What made you start running? While I do run, I’d never identify myself as a runner. Health and fitness were my main motivators, and if I’m being honest, I also wanted to look better at the time, too.
What running goal are you working on at the moment? I’m not looking to hit a sub-four-minute kilometre or become Strava-famous. I just want to improve my endurance and stamina to hopefully run consistently without needing so many breathers.
What do you listen to on your runs? I reuse a bouldering playlist my old housemates and I made, but it’s also a great time to listen to something new. Lately that’s been a UK DJ who goes by 1800-GIRLS and a film podcast called What Went Wrong.
What keeps you going? I want to keep doing the things I enjoy: eating good food and having a couple of beers with mates. Running helps me keep my lifestyle sustainable.
What’s your favourite thing about running? The time to myself, a break from the screen, and the sense of knowing I’ve burnt off 0.0031% of the last pint I had.
How do you feel before, during and after a run? It’s kind of like The Odyssey – mentally, it feels like I’m in a decade-long war to convince myself to get off the couch, and once I’m out there, it feels like forever. But along the journey, I’ll probably see something interesting, maybe a bit weird, and come home feeling accomplished and changed. Just as Nolan intended.
Who’s a runner who inspires you? My friend Stevie is low-key Strava-famous. He’s been a runner his whole life and will casually run a marathon in the morning.
On’s recommended shoe: Cloudmonster 3 for improving endurance and stamina

Bron Trueman, product owner 

How long have you been running for? Running has been part of my life for almost as long as I can remember – I started when I was around 9 years old.
What made you start running? Doing school cross-country, I realised I actually enjoyed both the running and training towards a race.
What running goal are you working on at the moment? I’m currently training for the Melbourne Marathon and will see if I can run a PB.
What do you listen to on your runs? Electronic music. I love getting lost in a good mix on a long run or a playlist of bangers for a shorter or tempo run. However, if I’m holidaying or in nature, I’ll often run without headphones. I enjoy soaking up those surroundings.
What keeps you going? Running keeps me sane. I’m not always training towards a goal, however I find that I’m calmer, clearer and happier when I run regularly. Over the last few years, I’ve run a few marathons and I’ve also loved seeing what I’m physically capable of, especially as I get older.
What’s your favourite thing about running? The barrier to entry is very low: I’ve run around the world while travelling, in all weather conditions and at varying fitness levels (even while recovering from injury). Most gear is a nice-to-have, all you really need is a pair of runners that fit well and enough motivation to get out the door.
How do you feel before, during and after a run? I definitely don’t always feel like going out, especially if it’s cold, dark or wet, and sometimes it’s hard or I feel clunky, but I always feel better afterwards than before I started. During a run on the good days, which is a lot of the time lately, I can feel like I’m floating or gliding, physically strong and able to tackle anything. It’s quite a ride.
Who’s a runner who inspires you? I followed the tail end of Sophie Woods’s recent Via Alpina record run and felt very inspired by that.
On’s recommended shoe: Lightspray Cloudboom Strike 2 for hitting a marathon PB

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with On. The On Lightspray Cloudboom 2 is On’s fastest shoe yet, engineered for fast runs and tested by athletes for marathons. Discover it on the On Lightspray Tour in Sydney, from August 27 to 30, and at On’s first Australian store in Bondi Junction, open now.