FOMO is a new term to me. I’ve only recently discovered it and it’s meaning. Somehow it feels like a relevant title for this post.
I wouldn’t call myself a natural runner. I don’t throw my running gear on and bound out of the front door looking like an athlete, although I wish I did!
Running, however, does make me feel pretty epic. I never thought I’d be one of those people who would want to actually run for fun, but I am.
It all started when I wanted to lose weight. Having been slim most of my life, the birth of twins was most unkind to my body. I had a wobbly tummy, silvery stretch marks running along my thighs and an appetite that wouldn’t be lost on a gorilla.
I had two stone to lose and boy this time around I was determined to lose it and lose it for good. With a little, well a lot, of help from the wonderful Slim Fast team and a motivation I’d found from somewhere hidden deep inside of me, I managed to lose the weight and what’s even more amazing is that I’ve managed to keep it off.
For me the biggest thing was keeping my hunger at bay. To do this I made sure I was eating healthy, filling, nutritious food. In addition, I was drinking so much water that my husband’s poor feet started to wear a hole in our carpet from the number of trips he was making back and forth to the kitchen every evening to top up my bottle! Hydration is key people!
When I finally managed to keep my eating habits under control, I decided it was time to hit the road and start running. Little by little I slowly built up my distances. From walking 1km to running 1km. Then I’d run 1km and walk a further 1km taking my total to 2km. I’d repeat this process until I was able to run 5km without stopping.
I then entered a few 5k races and before I knew it, I’d completed a few 10ks and two half marathons. Then this year, my biggest challenge ever. The London Marathon. I never ever thought I’d run a marathon, but I did and I’m so bloody proud of myself. I may not have got the time I wanted, but boy did I work hard to train for it and make sure I finished it. I even raised over £2,000 for WellChild, the national charity for sick children. It’s a memory that I’ll cherish forever.
Last weekend was the Cardiff Half Marathon. I’ve run the Cardiff Half Marathon for the last two years. The first time around I absolutely loved it. Training went well and although I did get injured, I made a pretty good recover and I really enjoying running it. The second time around, I hadn’t really trained for it and I was nursing an injury, so I really didn’t enjoy it.
I decided not to enter the Cardiff Half Marathon this year as I didn’t know how I would feel after the London Marathon, but I think it’s fair to say that while I was sat at home watching the Cardiff Half Marathon on TV, I definitely felt like I was missing out! That’s why I’ve decided to enter the Cardiff Half Marathon again next year.
There are a lots of things that I’d do differently. For starters, I’d do strength training straight away and secondly, I’d find a new nutrition plan aside from gels or sports drinks. Any tips anyone?
I really do think it’s incredible what we can do when we really put our minds to it. I think it’s fair to say that running has changed my life!
