Failure at Gyms

“I attempted running a few years ago when I reached the age of 50, with the notion of trying to get fit.  I’m a complete failure at gyms or regimented exercise so thought I’d give running a bash.

Having never run before in my entire life and not having much of an idea of what I was a doing it became quite a challenge!

Over the next few months I started with a walk, and then progressed to a walk and jog, then a jog and eventually a run! I can remember being amazed when I actually managed a whole mile of pure running… without actually stopping or gasping for air!  So on and on I plodded (literally being flat footed!) and managed to enter the Stroud Half Marathon and few other races along the way.

 

 I don’t know when it happened but all of a sudden I began to love running,

it was quite sad as I could not wait to get home from work and don the old running shoes and get out there. Totally useless at it but loved being out there -. I’d be driving home from work and see someone running and think I want to be that person.

 

 Then I got to the stage that I never improved and  almost stagnated.  I ended up doing the same old runs         
(usually up and down the Nailsworth old cycle track) coupled with copious amounts of conversations  to myself!

Around July last year I discovered Cotswold Allrunners. I was very nervous about joining at first and thought given my age I would be totally out of my depth and feel intimidated, but that could not have been further from the truth. I was instantly welcomed by everyone and within a week felt like part of the team.

I love the company and feel privileged to run alongside such lovely friendly people.  If I don’t manage to make the club then I feel I’m letting everyone down and certainly miss the weekly chats and updates.

Everyone at the club are so motivating and encouraging and you always feel so welcome.

It astounds me how much I have learnt and improved in such a short period.  Thanks to Simon, I now have the confidence to run up and down hills, I adore running through mud and puddles and my running shoes are now a very dirty brown colour which I’m led to believe is the mark of a true runner!

And to be honest it feels so good to be out in the open air, the views, the company and the countryside are so amazing- and it’s all there on your doorstep.

My ambitions in the future are to try and run a Half Marathon in 2 hours, but most importantly just enjoy every minute of it.”

Dinah from Stroud & member of Cotswold Allrunners