InspiredToRun.co.uk

I got married in July 2005, aged 26. Amongst the mayhem of sorting invites, dresses, accessories, catering, table plans, colour schemes, orders of service, flowers, gifts, the cake and so on, was a nagging urge to get fit, tone up and make sure I looked my damned best for the big day!

It turns out that I managed a lot more than just "getting fit". This is my story of how I quickly became a runner to be reckoned with!

January 2005: I had a solid half a year to get into shape. I began aerobics classes and started working out at home using an exercise bike that I’d had for years and a Lateral Thigh Trainer bought on a whim from Ebay!

April 2005: I decided to give running a go. It was over 10 years since I had last ran in school and even back then, it wasn’t by choice! I set off to my local lake with the intention of running about a mile. I barely got 500 metres before I was back in my car out of breath, chest burning - I hated every minute of it!

May 2005: I met up with a friend. She lent me her elliptical cross trainer that was sitting redundant in her shed at home. I started using it alongside the bike and my fitness and stamina increased. My legs and arms were also beginning to feel firmer and stronger.

To lay old ghosts to rest I went back to the lake and tried running again. This time I took my fiancé along with me. I managed a full lap of about 3 miles without stopping and left my fiancé behind- that was the first and last time he ever ran with me!

June 2005: I started to run once or twice a week and kept up with the other exercise at home. I thought it would be good to set myself some post-wedding goals so signed up for two local races in September- a Cancer Research 10K and a Half-Marathon at Retford, Nottinghamshire. Being inexperienced, I didn’t think it mattered that the Half Marathon was the week after the 10K! Having ran no further than 3 to 4 miles, a Half- Marathon was certainly going to be a challenge.

I bought my first pair of running shoes. The people in Sweatshop were horrified at the trendy but “not at all suitable for running” trainers I had been using! I found my new cushioned shoes a great improvement immediately.

July 2005: Less running happened the month of the wedding but I kept up with the home exercise right up until the wedding day (30th July). I achieved my desired toned look in my wedding dress and the day went without a hitch. People asked how I had become so trim so I explained my exercise regime and chatted excitedly about my running and the races I had to look forward to. I realised then that running had rapidly become a part of my life and I now wanted to do it for enjoyment’s sake, not just to keep fit. The wedding was over but the running had opened up a whole new me.

August 2005: The first 2 weeks were spent honeymooning in the Dominican Republic at a beautiful all-inclusive resort. I ate, drank and relaxed but with the forthcoming races in mind I also visited the sweltering gym twice a day to maintain fitness.

Once back from the honeymoon it was time to get training! I began running every other day, just a few miles at first but then building up to longer Sunday runs of 6 to 9 miles.

September 2005: My first race! A 10K at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire. I had raised some money for Cancer Research so there was no backing out! It was a tough hilly cross-country course and I finished in 53 minutes. Nothing blinding but a good start to my racing career none the less and I smugly noticed very few women finishing around me!

The following weekend I ran my first Half-Marathon at Retford. Prior to this I had only ran 9 miles so it was to be my first test of endurance. My legs were still a little sore from the 10K but I came home in 1:49. My supporters were impressed but I felt I could go faster now I knew the distance was achievable.

October 2005: My friend got me to go along to her running club. I met some great people and quickly became a member of Redhill Road Runners.

With continued training and the introduction of efforts and hill sessions, I ran my second Half-Marathon a month later in Worksop. I knocked a fantastic 10 minutes off my PB to finish in 1:39.

December 2005: I still felt like I could do better so set my sights on the December Turkey Trot Half-Marathon. I took a further 5 minutes off my PB, finishing in 1:35. By this point, people were starting to query whether I wanted to turn pro one day! I was becoming known as a “young upstart” (although in my mind 27 is not so young!) and a “potential elite runner”. This all seemed a bit far-fetched to me but I found it amusing that I was causing a stir.

January 2006: I signed up for Lochaber Marathon in April and decided to follow Runner’s World sub-3:30 schedule. I felt 3:45 was more likely for a novice like myself but I wanted to train to the best of my ability.

February 2006: The marathon training soon further built up my stamina so I decided to tackle another Half-Marathon en route to the big race. I chose Wokingham (lured in by the flat course!) and was delighted to finish in 1:30:40. This is my current PB but something tells me I won’t stop till I’m under 1:30! And then of course it’ll be sub- 1:25 to aim for….

March 2006: Marathon training was going as scheduled until mid-March. Following a 20 mile race, a hamstring strain AND shinsplints put me out of action for a couple of weeks. I quickly learnt that I am as vulnerable as the next runner when it comes to injury and hit an all time low when my newly appointed physiotherapist told me I had a 50:50 chance of being recovered in time for the marathon. All I could do was follow treatment, listen to professional advice and wait and see…

April 23rd 2006: I completed my first marathon! I finished injury free in 3:23:04, smashing my sub 3:30 target! I was very pleased to be 8th lady home, especially as I got a prize for being best first-time female marathon runner too.

To think this time a year ago I couldn’t so much as run a mile! Now my Half- Marathon PB is 1:30 and I just clocked my first Marathon time of 3:23. For a lady, I’m told that’s pretty good but I’m thirsty for faster times and greater achievements. Who knows where I’ll be a few years from now? And all this came from something as shallow as wanting to look good in a wedding dress!