Feel subdued, occasionally wanting escape (5)
I believe the answer is:
elude
'escape' is the definition.
(I know that elude is a more specific form of do a runner)
'feel subdued occasionally' is the wordplay.
'occasionally' means one should take alternating letters (letters taken at regular intervals or occasions).
'feel'+'subdued'='feelsubdued'
The alternate letters of 'feelsubdued' are 'ELUDE'.
'wanting' is the link.
(Other definitions for elude that I've seen before include "Get away from" , "Escape by stratagem" , "Escape - avoid" , "Evade; baffle" , "Avoid; slip one's mind" .)