“I’m not a runner” said Beth Thompson, a team manager in a mental health service, but in January this year, she made a commitment and signed up to a Couch to 5k group arranged by her local council.
“The only exercise I did was walk my dog, I had a gym membership, but never went and never kept up with fitness challenges.”
Beth had attempted Couch to 5k previously, and never made it past four weeks, but recently diagnosed with a health condition and recommended to lose weight, this time she was determined. Joining a weekly group of runners on a dark, cold, January night she had to ignore the negative voice in her head saying she wouldn’t be able to do it, but with the guidance, encouragement and support from run leaders, she pushed on and did it anyway.
“The two additional homework runs a week were my biggest challenge,” said Beth. These were often done alone, but motivation and support from fellow group members and sharing ‘sweaty selfies’ with each other meant Beth achieved a personal best of 39mintues and 55seconds, but she has now shaved a further 5 minutes off that time.
Three runs every week for nine weeks, Beth was in a routine and needed a new goal. Perfect timing as a local 10k race was announced.
Three weeks to train, double the distance, but she signed up anyway and on a sunny April Sunday, sticking with the 75minute pacers, she was ecstatic at crossing the finishing line, her biggest challenge yet, complete.
“Running is 10% moving your body and 90% of arguing with your own mind that you CAN do it!”
“It’s completely free and there are some beautiful surroundings to run in.
“Running has not only improved my physical health but the positive changes in my mental health are the biggest achievement.
“I suffered with low mood and anxiety, especially over the winter months. Since exercising, my stress levels are lower, my sleep is much better and my motivation to do just about everything has massively increased.
“I used to feel quite sluggish throughout the day but now feel like I have lost weight and have more energy than ever! I used to hear people say this to me and read about it online, but never believed it, until it happened to me.”
So, what’s next? Beth is training to complete 13.1miles in a local half marathon this September. “I attend Parkrun every Saturday and I’ve joined a local running club who I go out with weekly to help with my training.”
A newfound love for running, she also volunteers with her local council to help them ‘run’ the Couch to 5k programmes as well as working towards a run leader qualification.
“I am a runner and I’ve come to love something I thought wasn’t for me.”