I hadn’t really run since my school days, when I preferred sprint distance and hurdles to anything more than once around the track. By 2008, a largely inactive job, an appetite for good food and edging up another dress size made me take action and I began working with a personal trainer.
In a bid to get be doing some cardio exercise, he set me a challenge of running non stop for 20 minutes. It took me weeks to build up to it. In our first sessions, we’d try a gentle jog along the beach at Tynemouth and I’d have to stop for breath once or twice a run.
But sheer stubbornness and determination saw me stick to it, and somewhere along the way I discovered I actually quite liked running after all. Over the Christmas holidays, I went for a run, just for the love of it and as I drove back into Newcastle along the Central Motorway, I imagined it filled with people and decided then and there that I wanted to do the Great North Run.
So within a year I went from barely managing a mile without getting out of puff to running a half marathon. Along the way, I re-discovered my competitive side and started entering races, starting with the North Tyneside 10k and clocking up times, seeking to improve on every run. I may never threaten the front of the pack, but I can truly say it’s changed my life.
So within a year I went from barely managing a mile without getting out of puff to running a half marathon. Along the way, I re-discovered my competitive side and started entering races, starting with the North Tyneside 10k and clocking up times, seeking to improve on every run. I may never threaten the front of the pack, but I can truly say it’s changed my life.
When I started running, I expected it to make me healthier and improve the way I felt about myself. I never expected that it would bring me so much more, in terms of fabulous experiences, days I’ll never forget and a whole new group of friends to share them with.
It’s also re-ignited my love of writing. Recording my thoughts and feelings about training and races on my blog has been a great way to remember all that I’ve achieved so far and to learn a lot about myself.
I’m a regular runner and volunteer at Newcastle parkrun, where I’m known for my sprint finishes. And I continue to work with my trainer to enjoy a variety of training. My approach is very much about whole body fitness and I’m a big fan of using kettlebells for weight training.
I also cycle and swim, so I’ve recently dipped my toe into triathlon and am thoroughly converted. Three times the sport equals three times the buzz. I’ve already achieved my biggest goal in 2012, completing my first open water sprint triathlon and getting the best ever race finish photo. But I’ll be looking to get even fitter and faster to take on longer distance events in future.
Michelle also has her own personal blog that you can read by clicking here.
You can follow Michelle on Twitter by clicking here.
It’s also re-ignited my love of writing. Recording my thoughts and feelings about training and races on my blog has been a great way to remember all that I’ve achieved so far and to learn a lot about myself.
I’m a regular runner and volunteer at Newcastle parkrun, where I’m known for my sprint finishes. And I continue to work with my trainer to enjoy a variety of training. My approach is very much about whole body fitness and I’m a big fan of using kettlebells for weight training.
I also cycle and swim, so I’ve recently dipped my toe into triathlon and am thoroughly converted. Three times the sport equals three times the buzz. I’ve already achieved my biggest goal in 2012, completing my first open water sprint triathlon and getting the best ever race finish photo. But I’ll be looking to get even fitter and faster to take on longer distance events in future.
Michelle also has her own personal blog that you can read by clicking here.
You can follow Michelle on Twitter by clicking here.