I get asked this a lot 🙂 I used to watch my ex-fiancé run countless marathons, half marathons, 10 milers and such – he had taken up running after his dad randomly decided to run a marathon. I would go and watch them run and found all of the events to be so inspiring, almost popping with pride on behalf of the runners crossing the finish line, especially when they achieved a PB (Personal Best)! I loved the whole atmosphere of running events. Witnessing amputees and elderly participants running 13.1 miles was fascinating and made me realise that anyone of any age and ability can run. My ex would go out road running every other evening, whatever the weather, which was also great encouragement. So, in 2013 I decided it was time to give this running thing a try: I had been well and truly inspired! I had always enjoyed exercise, but committing to running would be a new venture.
I wrote this blog piece the first time I ever went for a road run, in March 2013:
“I start slowly and opt for a fairly flat route around town. My lungs are surprisingly ok and I only use my inhaler on an upward incline; although my right knee starts to twinge a little after 20 minutes. I’m hoping that’s just because they haven’t been exercised for a while! My new running trainers feel amazing and overall I feel comfortable. I manage 3.13 miles in 30mins, which is just over 5K. I’m really pleased with that and am proud of my body. I jog home feeling positive and healthy, and stretch out my body in a cool-down while drinking plenty of water.”
I was instantly addicted and have continued to road-run religiously at least once a week. Running outside feels fresh and natural; personally I’m not a fan of stuffy gyms.
The only time I’ve paused running was when I tore my calf muscle this January due to excessive training. I had increased my running dramatically as part of a New Year’s resolution to shed some Christmas weight and was completing about four 10K runs a week, which my calf clearly just couldn’t cope with: I ended up in A&E and could barely walk. It was a month until I could run again and the wait was borderline unbearable; I ached to go out running and felt very unhealthy, which is testament to how important running has become to me! Later, it transpired that I had commenced running again too soon and the tear hadn’t healed properly, so now have scar tissue in my calf. A massive shame and a lesson learned!
Laura's footprints 