Carrie Harding’s Mental Health Runner Journey

For Carrie Harding, running has never really been about pace or performance. It has been about finding her way back to herself.

Carrie has lived with anxiety since childhood. Growing up as a swimmer, movement was always part of her life, and being active gave her an outlet that helped her manage her mental health. As she moved into adulthood, though, that part of her life slowly faded.

During a difficult marriage, Carrie felt like she lost touch with the active, athletic person she had once been. When the marriage began coming to an end, she started looking for something that could help her process everything she was thinking and feeling.

She decided to try running.

There was just one problem: Carrie had always hated it.

Taking the First Step

As a swimmer growing up, running was something Carrie did for cross-training. She avoided it whenever she could. So when she decided to give running another chance as an adult, she wasn't exactly convinced she would fall in love with it.

At first, getting out there was scary. Running felt hard, and stepping outside of her comfort zone took courage.

But she kept going.

Little by little, something began to change. Carrie started enjoying her runs. She found space to work through her thoughts, manage her anxiety, and spend time focused entirely on herself.

More than anything, running helped her reconnect with a part of herself she thought she had lost.

The experience eventually taught her something that would become an important part of her mental health journey: movement could be a way to care for herself, especially during seasons when life felt difficult.

Finding Still I Run

In 2022, Carrie came across Still I Run's Runstreak for Mental Health on Facebook. She signed up for the challenge and began learning more about the organization behind it.

“It’s something I really believe in, and I have seen the benefits,” she said.

Runstreak became Carrie's introduction to a much bigger community. She joined the Still I Run Facebook group and eventually served as an ambassador for two years.

“The community was amazing, getting to know everyone and seeing their journeys,” she said.

Having that community around her was meaningful, but so was having something of her own to work toward.

“The more that I had goals to focus on and the more that I found that time to focus just on myself, it made such a huge difference for me in managing my anxiety.”

That experience reflects what Still I Run hopes to create through its programs: accessible opportunities for people to use running as a tool for mental wellbeing while finding connection and support along the way.

Stepping Away From Running

Then, in 2025, Carrie's life changed again.

She became pregnant and had to stop running. Her pregnancy was difficult, and after developing gestational hypertension, she needed to be especially careful with physical activity.

After her son was born, Carrie's attention understandably shifted toward caring for him. By the time he was 10 months old, she realized she had once again gotten away from some of the things that helped her feel like herself.

Her anxiety had also gotten much worse.

Carrie had stepped away from her ambassador role, but when she saw an opportunity to apply for Still I Run's Mental Health Runner Program, something clicked.

The Mental Health Runner Program supports participants as they build a running routine while caring for their mental wellbeing. It combines running with encouragement, structure, and community, helping reduce some of the barriers that can make getting started feel overwhelming.

For Carrie, it felt like an opportunity to return to the Still I Run community at exactly the right time.

A Community Behind Her Again

Carrie is only a few weeks into the Mental Health Runner Program, but she says the impact began before she even started training.

“I think honestly just since receiving that email from Holly and knowing that I was accepted into the program just felt like I have a community behind me again, who believes in me.”

That feeling was enough to help Carrie start changing her routine.

“Even that made a difference. I found myself getting up early again, even though I’m a sleep-deprived new mom, and just making that time for myself again.”

Those early mornings aren't simply about logging miles. They're time Carrie is intentionally setting aside for herself.

And she already has a new goal on the calendar.

“Already it’s made a big difference. I’ve already registered for a half marathon in November.”

Carrie is excited for the half marathon to be her first big event as she returns to running. She's also looking forward to a new chapter of running as a mom, including getting out for miles with her son in the stroller.

Remembering What She Can Do

Setting a big race goal isn't entirely new for Carrie.

Her first race experience was in Clearwater, Florida, in 2023. In typical first-race fashion, she decided to go big...by signing up for a challenge that included both a 5K and a half marathon.

Carrie went into the event feeling out of shape and unsure of what to expect. She ultimately walked the half marathon instead of running it.

But she finished.

Completing those miles on her own, especially after being afraid she wouldn't make it to the finish line, gave her an enormous sense of accomplishment. It also made her want to keep going.

That experience helped show Carrie that running doesn't have to look a certain way to matter. Sometimes the biggest victory is having the courage to start and discovering what you're capable of along the way.

It's a lesson that feels especially relevant now as she returns to the sport after pregnancy and adjusts to life as a new mom.

Looking Forward to Running With Other Women

Carrie also has another event she's especially excited about: Every Woman's Marathon.

The event's focus on women is a big part of what drew her to it. For Carrie, there is something meaningful about sharing the experience with so many other women pursuing their own goals.

“The vibe is amazing, there’s nothing like it,” she said. “There’s nothing like being out there with a whole bunch of other women. It’s so powerful.”

After a season when so much of Carrie's energy has gone toward pregnancy, recovery, and caring for her son, these races represent something bigger than returning to running.

They're a chance to set goals again. To make space for herself. To reconnect with community. And to remember the person she has been all along.

Don't Be Afraid to Step Out the Door

Carrie knows firsthand how intimidating running can feel when you're starting for the first time or coming back after a long break.

Her advice to someone thinking about running for their mental health is simple.

“Don’t be afraid to step out of the door. Getting started is the hardest part, and don’t be afraid to step outside and get out there.”

It's easy to worry about how fast you're going, how far you can make it, or what other people might think. Carrie remembers those fears. She also knows what can be waiting on the other side of them.

“Have the courage to take that first step. It’s such a big deal and it’s so incredibly worth it.”

Carrie's story is still unfolding. She's only a few weeks into the Mental Health Runner Program, and there are plenty of early mornings, stroller miles, training runs, and finish lines still ahead.

But she's already doing something that matters.

She's showing up for herself again.

And sometimes, that's where forward begins.