Where did it begin?
- For almost all my life, I had been very overweight and did very little exercise. To the point, where after some abnormal blood test results, I was urged by my GP and others to try and lose weight and exercise regularly to protect my health and live past 40! At my highest, I weighed in at 24st 7lbs and had a body fat % which was higher than a Pork Scratching! Not even joking! 😊
April 2020
- My weight didn’t just affect my physical health, but it also took a huge toll on my mental health too. I felt ashamed, embarrassed and had no confidence whatsoever. The only way I could escape and have any sort of comfort was through food. Also, it was extremely painful for me to exercise at the end, which again gave me another excuse to avoid doing it. I wasn’t able to walk 100 metres without being significantly out of breath.
- I had tried dieting and exercising previously for months, and even a year at a time with some success losing 7st on one occasion, and a few stone here and there, but I could never sustain this and time after time, the weight would eventually creep back on
- Something needed to change, and quick. In January 2020, I decided to try again. A friend of mine (local to Wirksworth) had been through a similar journey and recommended some steps for me to follow. His own journey inspired me to try as hard as I possibly could. For the majority of my life, all I ever wanted was to be fit and healthy but it was always unachievable. Like many people, I began to exercise more during Lockdown, it was a life-saver and allowed me the time to focus purely on me without distraction.
- Initially, simply eating better with most meals mainly being vegetables or fruit, and very little protein or fat. I also began to exercise by walking my dog as fast as I could for 45 minutes every day, without stopping. I found this to be incredibly difficult and painful (both physically and mentally), but I persisted and never missed a walk (whatever the weather) which helped tremendously to build my core level of fitness and to build mental strength later on.
- From there, I started to go in the garden for 45 minutes per day too (again whatever the weather, snow, sleet, rain, sun, it didn’t matter) which was great to improve balance and core strength.
- As I was getting fitter, I wanted to walk further and further. Increasing to an hour’s walk, up and down hills, locally to me in Derby, which I found very difficult but also completely rewarding, focusing on exceeding 10,000 steps per day. I was then introduced to walking in Wirksworth and Middleton by my friend who had previously done lots of hill walking and was a keen runner. I remember my first walk with him which started at Black Rocks, and we walked up and down the High Peak trail and it was my first introduction to the Middleton Incline – I honestly thought I was going to die walking up it, but I didn’t and completed my first 10-mile walk. That was the start. From then, the distances started to increase, and we walked the Kinder peninsular (in April 2021) which was 18 miles (50k steps) and took 10 hours (in six inches of snow). I then developed a passion for hill-walking and hiking.
- All of this training and new lifestyle allowed me to lose just under 11st by Christmas 2020 and I was physically fit enough to even contemplate trying to run. I had lost 13.5st by April 2021.
When did I start running?
- Again, my friend gave me some useful advice which was to try Couch to 5k. I gave this everything and ran every single run, starting with minute intervals and gradually increasing my aerobic ability. I had one aim as part of this, like many people new to running, I wanted to run 5k in under 30 minutes which I did at my second attempt – this was a significant achievement for me. I started to enjoy running, as it allowed me to escape in a way which was good for my health. As I was running more, my times were getting quicker, much quicker and I ran a 5k in 25:39, something I never thought possible, but when I tried to beat it, I couldn’t get close. I was pretty much doing moderate 5ks on the flat three times a week and whilst my VO2 max was greatly improving, my speed wasn’t and I found it quite deflating and samey, but ultimately boring and I used to dread sessions where I had to push myself.
- From then, I started to increase the distance that I ran. Starting with 6k, then 7k, then 8k and then the big achievement, 10k in just under an hour – another big achievement for me personally. This is where my running took off and I would run occasional 12ks, but any further distance was going to take time, and a lot more training. Without any training plan, I ran 16k once in 01:27:21 and I thought I was going to keel over. It was painful but an important mental barrier to break. Again, without training, I impulsively decided to try and run a half marathon one morning around Christmas from Derby to Belper and back. It was freezing and hammering it down with rain and I really didn’t want to do it, coming up with all of the excuses I could. But I decided to do it.
- The run started well and I was making good time, but coming back my legs went at 16k, so I had to walk 2k and run the remainder. This was because I hadn’t trained gradually as I now know I should have. Even though I had completed the distance, I felt like I had failed, despite completing in it in 2hours and 11mins.
Why did I join the running club?
- I joined the club completely by accident. The Wirksworth friend of mine who had helped me throughout my journey suggested that as I was terrible at running up hills (he wasn’t wrong), it would be a good idea to enter the Incline Race ran by the WRC in April 2022, to which, to say I was apprehensive would have been an understatement.
- My objective for the race was simple. I wanted to finish, without stopping. I set myself a completion time of 42mins. When I turned up, it was daunting. Everywhere I looked, all I could see was running vests, but I felt excited, nervous, apprehensive and a little scared as I had always found hills difficult. Nevertheless, when the race started I focused on my plan and completed the race without stopping. Mainly out of fear that another friend I was racing with would beat me and I wouldn’t live it down. I managed to finish the race in a time of 37mins and came 72nd out of c.130 entrants, which I was amazed at, demonstrating that when I put my mind into something, and try as hard as I possibly can, I am able to achieve results I couldn’t have imagined.
- Most importantly, I thought the race was very well organised and the people involved were extremely supportive and there was a really pleasant and encouraging atmosphere. I decided that day I would join the running club as running was now ‘my thing’.
- Initially, I joined to improve my ability on hills (up and down), trails, speed, but for me personally, endurance and mental toughness to run longer distances. But also another factor was the social element and to be around people with similar interests such as running, hiking, walking etc.
How has the running club helped me achieve my goals?
- I turned up for my first run and was given a very friendly welcome and the first club run was a 9k hill run on a Wednesday
After the half marathon with Joe
night. I just wanted to be able to run and not show myself up. Not realising, but I went with the ‘fast’ group 😊 The guys were great on the run (particularly Dave, Lewis and Mark) and kept asking if I was Ok and encouraging me. The difficulty of the runs increased with the Carsington loop from the Miner’s arms, then Rachel’s Rocks and so on, which was tough. Knowing the routes, I then did a few on my own. I remember turning up for the Run Confident group on a Sunday morning with Stef and Tanya and did a 5k. After doing this, I was keen to run more, so after asking some of the Run Confident team about good 10k+ routes, I drove to the Miner’s arms and ran the Carsington loop hard, a full 13k, which wasn’t the most sensible thing to do, but I did it in a time I didn’t think possible (01:11:29) and gained a huge sense of achievement, knowing that doing a half-marathon continuously was very much possible.
- From then, I attempted my first continuous Half-Marathon on the High-Peak trail in May. I was given some good advice from Dave and Mark on flat routes around Wirksworth and they suggested the Middleton Top to Minninglow and back. So one Sunday morning, I was up early and on the trail for 7am. I mainly just wanted to complete the distance, but secretly wanted to do it under 2 hours. The weather was perfect for running. It was about 13 degrees and dry and nobody was on the trail. I started the run and I was enjoying it, like never before, because of the WRC training. To my surprise, I kept getting quicker throughout the run, achieving my best 10k time in the final 11k of the distance. I finished the distance without stopping in 1hr 52:47, which again I was amazed with! I never thought it would be possible to run so hard and consistently.
- Another challenge was the Tunnels and Trails race in June which I signed up for immediately after the Incline race, mainly because there would be cake and it would be relatively flat. I wanted to race myself, more than anything. Again, the event was so well organised, and the WRC were so encouraging mid-race, Dave and Lewis, in particular, when I was flagging, and knew I had to push hard in the final 3k. I wanted to go sub 50mins. Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to quite do it, but completed the race in 51:17, but beat my best 10k time by two minutes and ran it in 50:07.
- WRC has been great for me to meet people with similar interests and I met Joe who runs and hikes. For my training for the 100km continuous walk, we travelled to the Brecons and walked up Pen-y-Fan and a few other peaks.
- I wanted to try and beat my half-marathon time but wanted some support from another runner to pace me. So Joe kindly stepped in. I’d calculated the race pace I wanted to run and Joe kept me to it. I wanted to do sub 1hr 50m. With Joe pacing me hard, I was able to go sub 1hr 50 and do a 1hr 47m. Again, something I didn’t think possible.
- Another really big help from me has been the group Whatsapp chat and Strava group, as there is always plenty of encouragement and support after each run which makes me want to do better and push myself harder.
- The biggest help though has been the advice given from established club runners (such as Dave, Mark, Lewis, Peter and Stef) on training tips to improve. Mark persuading me to not to try and run a marathon impulsively without training as it will likely lead to injury.
- Joining the WRC has been one of the best decisions I have ever made and thoroughly enjoy being part of it and look forward to many years on running and bettering my fitness. In just a few short months, I have achieved much better times. I know that I will never be the quickest runner in the group, but it’s more important for me to be better than I was when I came in and gradually improve. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anybody considering it.
100km Walk – Peak District Action Challenge
- This event was planned to take place with work colleagues as part of a wider charity event. We planned to do a mixture of distances between us, 25km, 50km and the continuous 100km. There were over 1,500 people competing
43km down
- I trained by completing the WRC training runs on a Wednesday night, increasing my own running to 60/70k a week and various Paras 10 trials – such as brisk walking up and running down Middleton incline 12 times in 3 hours, with a 35lb pack. Brisk walking the WRC ‘Undulator’ route with a 35lb pack and some additional miles to bring up to 10 mile distance.
- I knew this would be a significant challenge with over 2,000m of ascent and I had never done anything remotely similar. To train for it, I had to work hard. I did a 60km walk from Warmbrook up to Chee Dale in 12 hours, which was extremely tough and involved running the last mile and half to be under 12 hours.
- The event was the hardest I have ever done, both physically and mentally. To keep walking through excruciating pain was challenging to say the least. Particularly, starting the second half (48km) at 11pm at night, but advice and encouragement from other group members via the Whatsapp group got me through, as well as not wanting to let anybody own (including myself).
- It was 02:30am when I reached the High-Peak trail at Parsley Hay and I had this overwhelming sense of comfort knowing that I was on the trail where I have spent so much time training. It was like being ‘home’. The finish line kept me motivated and I just kept walking. The best bit of advice was from another group member, Peter, who said to not worry about time and go at my own pace which is what I did.
- I managed to finish the race in 25hr 30mins, and just under 20hours of actual walking. I have never been so pleased to finish a race than Sunday. Despite being in significant pain and exhausted, I was proud I had done it. I don’t think I could have without the training and advice from the WRC.
So, what’s next?
- Whether it is a good idea or not, I plan to do the Ultra Peak District challenge in September which starts from Hathersage and is 100km with 3300m of ascent in under 24 hours – which will be another significant challenge.
- I will be running the ‘Undulator’ event in October and plan to complete a Marathon by the end of the year but I need to train properly.
- I also wish to enter some upcoming BDL races with the WRC team for the experience. I will also continue to volunteer at local Parkrun events.
- Long term plan is to move closer to Wirksworth (and it’s hills) to improve my running. I love Wirksworth and it is now a huge part of my life and many happy memories!!