In my early twenties, my love for movement shifted to aerobics and step classes. I found myself part of a brilliant group of people, meeting weekly, sweating it out and having fun while doing it. We weren’t just exercising – we were enjoying life together. Running was part of the mix too, and I began to enjoy the simplicity of lacing up and heading out.
Later, I joined a local bootcamp and absolutely loved the combination of strength and running. It reminded me that I didn’t have to choose one over the other – I could build both power and endurance. The burpees, squats, and lunges all brought back that same buzz from school days… who knew I’d grow to love a good burpee?
In 2016, I took on my first proper running challenge – the Birmingham Half Marathon – alongside my good friend Linzi. She was such a support and kept me going through every mile. I remember crossing the finish line thinking, thank goodness that’s over… but within seconds, I was completely elated. That feeling of achievement was like nothing else.
A month later, in November 2016, I joined Penkridge Runners. I wanted to build my endurance and improve my times – and I did exactly that. All my personal bests have come in my 50s, which I still find quite hard to believe. I even broke the elusive 2-hour barrier for the half marathon, something I’d always dreamed of.
Being part of PR changed how I approached running. It wasn’t just about logging miles – it became about learning. I introduced strength work, built stamina, trained smarter, and, most importantly, enjoyed the process. In 2019, I was proud to receive the Coach’s Award – a real milestone.
When the Wednesday strength group began, I jumped at the chance. Bodyweight training reminded me so much of bootcamp days, and everyone knows I’ll never say no to a burpee! I can’t tell you how much I love those sessions – they’ve made a huge difference to my running. In 2021, I received the Wednesday Warrior Trophy, which meant the world.
One of my proudest moments, though, was inspiring my son Sam to run. Watching him go from those first runs to completing not just one, but two marathons – and joining PR himself – has been the most rewarding part of my journey. In 2023, we completed the Manchester Marathon together, alongside our amazing group of running friends. That race was the pinnacle for me – something I never believed I could do. The last 10K was brutal, but chatting with other runners, encouraging them, saying “we’re nearly there!” – it kept me going. And crossing that line with Sam? Unforgettable.
PR gave me the confidence to become a run leader in 2020. Taking the Wednesday class for the first time was nerve-wracking – there’s so much to think about – but I’m so glad I said yes. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, and although I’m quite loud and maybe a bit bossy, it was still a big challenge. I’ll always be grateful to Martin for trusting me with it.
More recently, I’ve helped with the Couch to 5K programme, and this has opened my eyes to a whole new side of running. Helping others take their first steps, watching them run a full 5K without stopping, sharing that moment when they realise they can do it – it’s just incredible. I’ve loved running alongside them, leading them, and I’m really excited for the next stage as we move into more advanced running together.
Running has never been easy for me – in fact, I find burpees easier! But I keep doing it. I don’t always know why, but I know that every run clears my head and leaves me feeling better.
I’m so grateful for what exercise has given me – strength, confidence, community, and joy. You never regret a good workout. Boom!
