how I started running at the age of 44 and why it keeps me sane (or saner)
The picture at the top of this blog is one of my favourite ever of me. I am covered in mud, looking about as glam as a bin bag but as my best friend said when she saw it ‘you look so happy’ and hell I really do. This was taken when I was taking part in a 10k trail run in a muddy forest in Peebles surrounded by people who were much fitter, thinner and able to run much more of the course in much faster time than I did but I the look on my face says it all I am having the best time.
My history with exercise is not a great one. I was not a sporty child and although I was not a ‘big girl’ back then I wasn’t very good at sport so never really encouraged to take part in anything and would avoid it like the plague, dropping PE as soon as I was able to at high school. Unfortunately back in the 80s education really suffered because of teacher working to rule which meant there was no extra curricular activities where I might have found something I enjoyed doing (I did quite like netball but we had no team or anything like that). Going into adulthood I did sporadic exercise like aerobics classes and swimming but never really stuck at anything for long or found something I really liked. I have been a plus sized lady for many years but that has never put me off joining in with things it’s just more finding something I enjoy and having the discipline to stick at it. I’ve also not fallen into exercising madly to lose weight (if I want to lose weight I have to make better food choices which is the bit I am rubbish at and I am very aware I need to address but that is a different topic entirely).
Then I got married and had my first child (son) when I was 35 and my second at 40 (daughter). The eighteen months before my daughter was born was a pretty difficult time for a number of reasons and while she was a pretty easy baby and I had a lovely year off with her before I eventually went back to work there was still fall out from the time before. It was when she was about two that I began struggling a bit with being a bit stressed and unhappy and it was my lovely mum that suggested that I put her into playgroup a couple of times a week for a few hours to give me some time to myself. I did this and used this time to go swimming and it did really make a difference and made me a lot happier and able to cope a lot better. Swimming is great but it requires being organised to have your kit, the pool to be open and get in the car to drive there which sometimes put me off.
At the start of 2016 for some reason I had a bit of a mad moment (probably in a new year resolution type mood post too much booze and a roast dinner) and decided to sign myself up for a 5k race in May. I had never really run before – I had done a couple of races for life and mostly walked them and as it was the same route I figured that the worse came to the worst I could do the same.
January and February came and went and before I knew it Easter had arrived and I really needed to start training so I bought some running shoes and started going out doing alternate run walk intervals (I didn’t really follow a programme I know a lot of people use couch to 5k I just kind of made it up). I will not lie it was really hard and my legs were in agony most of the time (I kind of now accept that my legs always feel a wee bit sore that’s kind of part of being a runner). I also hurt my ankle which set me back a bit. Before I knew it race day dawned and I had to head off and do my 5k on a lovely sunny Saturday. I was pretty nervous standing at the start line and have to admit that the really hilly bit I had to walk up but as soon as it got to the flat bit I was able to run and although I had a couple of walk breaks kept on and kept going. The run down the hill was great and the group of people standing at the 4th km cheering me on really helped as did seeing my husband and kids about 200m from the end. I proudly collected my medal and t shirt and posed for some photos before heading off for lunch with the family. After that I was a wee bit hooked and started running on a regular basis and signed up for my next challenge – at 10k race in September.
Of course had I looked at the 10k instructions a wee bit more closely I might not have signed up as when my race pack arrived I realised it had something that many slow runners dread – a cut off time (90 minutes) and a sweeper bus. What that means is that if you aren’t quick enough to complete the course in that time you have to get on a bus and can’t finish. I was really terrified about this as my 5k time was about 45 minutes anyway and I’d never really run that far before. I tried to up my training a bit more and the week before spent the morning in the Meadows running round it four times so I knew that my legs knew what the distance felt like. The 10k race was really squeaky bum time but I just managed to beat the sweeper bus and get to the end in about 84 minutes and get my medal.
Since then I’ve done a couple more 5ks, another road 10k, a five miler and two trail races (a 5k and 10k) and am very proud of my medals. I am a very slow runner and still have to take plenty walk breaks but my motto is that like Dory who keeps 'swimming swimming swimming' I keep 'running running running' and every step I take gets me closer to the end. I try to get out about three times a week sometimes for an hour or so but more often for a quick 30 minute round the block but even if I have a rubbish run and end up walking I tell myself that at least I’m out there doing it. I have not lost much weight running but my legs are pretty strong and in myself I feel a lot stronger mentally and able to cope with my life a lot better as exercise makes me feel better and consequently makes me a better mum and partner. If I’m feeling a bit stressed there really is nothing that sorts me out better than a shuffle round the golf course in the fresh air. Running has already made me some new friends and also given me new connections with existing friends which is a lovely too.
I was quite self conscious when I started running because of my size and that I’m probably not a pretty sight when I run (not so hot mess) or that I’m getting lapped by people walking past me but I’ve got over that now. My friends and neighbours are used to seeing me in my lycra wobbling up the road and it doesn’t really bother me now. I am doing it for myself, my family and my mental and physical health and that is the important thing.
Some great resources for beginner runners
Couch to 5k – this is a NHS recommended running plan which includes podcasts to help you run
The Fat Girls Guide to Running – this is a movement which was set up by Julie Creffield a plus size runner from London and aims to encourage overweight women to take up running in order to improve their physical and mental health and confidence. I am a member of the TFTR clubhouse virtual running group which is an amazing support network but even the website and facebook page have got some great information. motivation and tips for people wanting to start running be they overweight or not.
Parkrun
Parkruns are free weekly timed 5k races (they also have junior races for children) that take place all over the country on a Saturday morning and are a great way for beginner runners to get started and also allow more experienced runners to improve on their times. Edinburgh parkruns take place in Portobello and Crammond.
My history with exercise is not a great one. I was not a sporty child and although I was not a ‘big girl’ back then I wasn’t very good at sport so never really encouraged to take part in anything and would avoid it like the plague, dropping PE as soon as I was able to at high school. Unfortunately back in the 80s education really suffered because of teacher working to rule which meant there was no extra curricular activities where I might have found something I enjoyed doing (I did quite like netball but we had no team or anything like that). Going into adulthood I did sporadic exercise like aerobics classes and swimming but never really stuck at anything for long or found something I really liked. I have been a plus sized lady for many years but that has never put me off joining in with things it’s just more finding something I enjoy and having the discipline to stick at it. I’ve also not fallen into exercising madly to lose weight (if I want to lose weight I have to make better food choices which is the bit I am rubbish at and I am very aware I need to address but that is a different topic entirely).
Then I got married and had my first child (son) when I was 35 and my second at 40 (daughter). The eighteen months before my daughter was born was a pretty difficult time for a number of reasons and while she was a pretty easy baby and I had a lovely year off with her before I eventually went back to work there was still fall out from the time before. It was when she was about two that I began struggling a bit with being a bit stressed and unhappy and it was my lovely mum that suggested that I put her into playgroup a couple of times a week for a few hours to give me some time to myself. I did this and used this time to go swimming and it did really make a difference and made me a lot happier and able to cope a lot better. Swimming is great but it requires being organised to have your kit, the pool to be open and get in the car to drive there which sometimes put me off.
At the start of 2016 for some reason I had a bit of a mad moment (probably in a new year resolution type mood post too much booze and a roast dinner) and decided to sign myself up for a 5k race in May. I had never really run before – I had done a couple of races for life and mostly walked them and as it was the same route I figured that the worse came to the worst I could do the same.
January and February came and went and before I knew it Easter had arrived and I really needed to start training so I bought some running shoes and started going out doing alternate run walk intervals (I didn’t really follow a programme I know a lot of people use couch to 5k I just kind of made it up). I will not lie it was really hard and my legs were in agony most of the time (I kind of now accept that my legs always feel a wee bit sore that’s kind of part of being a runner). I also hurt my ankle which set me back a bit. Before I knew it race day dawned and I had to head off and do my 5k on a lovely sunny Saturday. I was pretty nervous standing at the start line and have to admit that the really hilly bit I had to walk up but as soon as it got to the flat bit I was able to run and although I had a couple of walk breaks kept on and kept going. The run down the hill was great and the group of people standing at the 4th km cheering me on really helped as did seeing my husband and kids about 200m from the end. I proudly collected my medal and t shirt and posed for some photos before heading off for lunch with the family. After that I was a wee bit hooked and started running on a regular basis and signed up for my next challenge – at 10k race in September.
Of course had I looked at the 10k instructions a wee bit more closely I might not have signed up as when my race pack arrived I realised it had something that many slow runners dread – a cut off time (90 minutes) and a sweeper bus. What that means is that if you aren’t quick enough to complete the course in that time you have to get on a bus and can’t finish. I was really terrified about this as my 5k time was about 45 minutes anyway and I’d never really run that far before. I tried to up my training a bit more and the week before spent the morning in the Meadows running round it four times so I knew that my legs knew what the distance felt like. The 10k race was really squeaky bum time but I just managed to beat the sweeper bus and get to the end in about 84 minutes and get my medal.
Since then I’ve done a couple more 5ks, another road 10k, a five miler and two trail races (a 5k and 10k) and am very proud of my medals. I am a very slow runner and still have to take plenty walk breaks but my motto is that like Dory who keeps 'swimming swimming swimming' I keep 'running running running' and every step I take gets me closer to the end. I try to get out about three times a week sometimes for an hour or so but more often for a quick 30 minute round the block but even if I have a rubbish run and end up walking I tell myself that at least I’m out there doing it. I have not lost much weight running but my legs are pretty strong and in myself I feel a lot stronger mentally and able to cope with my life a lot better as exercise makes me feel better and consequently makes me a better mum and partner. If I’m feeling a bit stressed there really is nothing that sorts me out better than a shuffle round the golf course in the fresh air. Running has already made me some new friends and also given me new connections with existing friends which is a lovely too.
I was quite self conscious when I started running because of my size and that I’m probably not a pretty sight when I run (not so hot mess) or that I’m getting lapped by people walking past me but I’ve got over that now. My friends and neighbours are used to seeing me in my lycra wobbling up the road and it doesn’t really bother me now. I am doing it for myself, my family and my mental and physical health and that is the important thing.
Some great resources for beginner runners
Couch to 5k – this is a NHS recommended running plan which includes podcasts to help you run
The Fat Girls Guide to Running – this is a movement which was set up by Julie Creffield a plus size runner from London and aims to encourage overweight women to take up running in order to improve their physical and mental health and confidence. I am a member of the TFTR clubhouse virtual running group which is an amazing support network but even the website and facebook page have got some great information. motivation and tips for people wanting to start running be they overweight or not.
Parkrun
Parkruns are free weekly timed 5k races (they also have junior races for children) that take place all over the country on a Saturday morning and are a great way for beginner runners to get started and also allow more experienced runners to improve on their times. Edinburgh parkruns take place in Portobello and Crammond.