I have always struggled with exercise as an adult. I am one of those people who spend a fortune on a gym membership but never go. In January 2017 I joined Slimming World in an attempt to lose weight as I was probably 3 stone overweight and had struggled with this for about 15 years. I have a hip condition which means that I suffer from chronic hip pain and I had no doubt in my mind that carrying excess weight was exacerbating this. I kept trying different exercise classes but soon got bored when I wasn’t getting the instant results that I hoped for. Prior to joining the Run4life programme I hadn’t done any exercise for a year and this really started to bother me, I had no confidence and my body ached all over from lack of activity. My weight loss journey was going fairly well however had really slowed down and I felt that this was linked to my lack of activity.

When I saw the Run4Life zero to 30/35 minute programme I was keen to sign up but in the back of my mind I was worried that it was going to be another thing that I started and didn’t complete. I dragged my partner along for support and together we turned up to our first session in January 2018. It was amazing to be around so many people that were in a similar position to ourselves and the instructors that volunteered their time were incredibly supportive and inspiring.

Running is not something I had ever tried before and I felt that with my body shape and achy joints I wouldn’t be able to do it but miraculously as the weeks went on I found myself able to keep up with the course’s progression. I loved the fact that I could do my homework at any time of day whenever it suited and I could do this anywhere no matter where I was. We started turning our homework into a social thing and inviting friends along. I am not saying that I enjoyed every moment because that would be a lie there were times when I wished I had never started. I was part of the Run4Life Facebook group and I found this really encouraging to see other people in the local area who were experiencing the same journey as me. This helped me to realise that it was ok that I was struggling with my breathing and that there were strategies to manage this and that it was ok that at times I absolutely hated running but that it was worth it for the buzz when I had finished. It took until I was at the 30 minute mark towards the end of the course that I really started to enjoy my outings and I am pleased to say that I have continued to run 3 times a week since. I completed my first Park run on Easter Saturday 2018 and was absolutely thrilled to complete the course without stopping at a very respectable time of 36 minutes. I have completed one every week since and have managed to take about 3 minutes off my time.

I could cry with pride when I think about what I have managed to achieve with my running journey so far. If you had told me 6 months ago that I would be a ‘runner’ I would have laughed in your face. I plan to continue running regularly and completing the weekly Park Runs and I have also signed up for the Race for Like 5k in July 2018. I never thought I would be someone who would want to run any further than this however I may be tempted to sign up to the Bristol 10k  next year as I was so inspired by those who took part this year. I feel like running has introduced me to a whole new community that I never new existed and the health benefits have been incredible in terms of my weight and my joints. If there is anyone out there who is thinking about taking up running but is unsure my advice would be to just go for it you have got nothing to lose.

Have you had a break from physical activity for a while and have now started an activity whether for the first time or getting back into it? Would you like to share your story with others to help inspire them to start being active? Please email: ActiveCity@bristol.gov.uk