To my own amazement

Hi, I’m Jeannie

That’s me far left waving during the 2008 Stroud Half Marathon.  How did I get there.  Let me tell you …… 
I shall start, by telling you that I am not a runner.  No way.  But here I am discovering a new me. 

 It all started when my husband volunteered me for the Stroud Half Marathon

Faced with such a challenge I protested loudly but eventually capitulated and I have to say secretly enjoyed the thought of pushing the boundaries.

I still had no confidence that I could do it but once I started turning up to a few training sessions soon realised that I was not alone in having such fears.  It was a real mixed bunch of people at training – some serious runners, some fun runners and some in-between -  soon showed themselves to be a great gang of mad-caps who have not only given me the desire to keep fit but also have a whole heap of fun along the way.  The training and encouragement are great and I always come back from the sessions feeling uplifted.

I still protest now and then and come up with reasons not to run …
 – my knee aches for example (how many times have I heard people blame that one) – or it’s just too damn cold (another avoidance excuse).

But the bottom line is I can blame the odd ache and pain or I can get less and less fit physically whilst getting less and less fit more generally, or I can keep pedalling so to speak.  Of course I take care not to get injured or to push myself to ridiculous lengths but I feel fitter and happier and somehow, to my own amazement, I keep on turning up, again and again.

One year on I’d recommend it to anyone.  It’s brilliant. 

“Oh and by the way, I did it – the Stroud Half Marathon.  Can’t quite believe it myself.”

Jeannie from Stroud and member of Cotswold Allrunners