Well, running has always been an important part of my life. I always enjoyed sports at school but like many people did not really continue after I had left. It was around 30 that I felt the need to get fit and regain my body after pregnancies and breast feeding. It was a real challenge at first. As I gained fitness and stamina – I became aware my competitive nature. I was soon counting miles and clocking the times and began to enter local 10 K’s. The running continued becoming a very important part of my life – there was even a time when I would make sure that I ran as many miles as units of alcohol I drank – my way of controlling – I guess.

Through difficult times, I used my running to run away, create my own space, process my thoughts and find my inner strength. Like many people, I realised that I should make something positive come out of all that running. So I raised £2,000 doing a marathon run in 4h 23m – not really a club runner time but not bad for a lonely runner.

Since then my running has become as essential to my mental wellbeing as to my as my physical wellbeing. It’s much more meditative- a time to think, have my own space and appreciate nature.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine – cold and damp will settle in vulnerable place like joints and ligaments causing pain and stiffness, so it’s important to stay warm. Exercise will move qi so that one feels energised but over exercising will deplete qi – causing long term exhaustion, so I l don’t push to my body if I am really tired. Adequate nutrition is essential particularly minerals to eliminate lactic acid and maintain alkalinity. An awareness of these principals has kept me free of injuries and I hope to continue running for many years yet.

I aim to make running more fun & plan to run with my darling daughter who is just realising the joys of running – and we are going to have a laugh!!!!