Running Club? Not for me, I’m 56 overweight, diabetic, asthmatic, a sufferer from very bad migraines and with high blood pressure but here I am nearly 18 months later thoroughly enjoying Running Club.
When I first started, I couldn’t run 25 metres without stopping. Now I can run over 450 metres without stopping. There is no better feeling than having your fellow Mad Runners cheering you on when you cross the finish line of a 5k or 10k race. I have been encouraged every step of the way. My blood sugar levels have come down considerably and I can’t remember the last time I had a migraine.
My running technique has taken some time to perfect as I have learned how to breathe properly and if there is an exercise that I’m not comfortable doing, the trainers have shown me an alternative exercise that uses the same group of muscles.
I can honestly say that I have caught the running bug and am the happiest and healthiest that I have been for a long, long time.
I went for a health check with the Healthy Living team and they suggested I signed up to the Couch to 5k programme. I had no motivation to do any exercise and my confidence was really low but I made myself go to the session. I was nervous to attend at first but the sports activators were great. They set me some goals to work towards, made me feel welcomed and after a few sessions I began to feel like it was good challenge for me and I was determined to continue. What I loved was that I wasn’t the only one who felt I was too slow and unhealthy to do it, there were loads of people at all levels. The Couch to 5k was brilliant. I lost weight, made friends, and felt loads better about myself. I would tell people to give it a try, if I can complete a 5k, anyone can!!
