Catching the Running Bug
Never really into sports, Laura was surprised to catch the running bug, but by now it's pretty established! Read how she got into running.
Catching the Running Bug
https://www.contoursrun.co.uk/catching-the-running-bug
Growing up, I was never a sporty person – I never had much interest in team sports and was certainly not competitive. If someone had told me back in school that one day I would be a multiple half marathon and team runner, I wouldn't have believed a word.
However, in the summer of 2015, all that changed. I decided I wanted to raise money for my favourite charity – The World Wildlife Fund. After looking through their website I saw they wanted people to run for them and fundraise. So after giving it about 20 minutes of thought, I signed up for the Surrey Half Marathon taking place the following March. I gave myself 6 months to train and go from zero running ability to running 13.1 miles.
What you are thinking right now is likely what I thought at the time; I’ll never be able to do it! Self-motivation is a powerful thing, and with no help whatsoever, I started to train and push myself to my limit. I couldn’t run 1k when I started, though through running the parkrun every Saturday (a 5k timed race held throughout the UK and worldwide) as well as my own training runs, I completed the Surrey Half Marathon in March 2016. When I say completed, I mean to say that I shuffled my broken self across the finish line, complete with extreme cramps and a lot of tears. Although I was proud of my achievement and that I had beaten my fundraising target, I vowed I would never run again.
The morning after I signed up for the Richmond Half Marathon, which was 6 months later. Somehow I was already hooked and knew this would become a huge part of my life. Completing the Richmond Half, though still painful, was a marked difference from Surrey; I realised that I was becoming a better runner and I’d even go as far as to say I enjoyed it!
At the end of 2016 I relocated from London to Derbyshire and decided to join a running team. I now run for the Belper Harriers, a local friendly team. What I didn’t consider was the change in landscape; I had gone from flat road running in London to the extreme hills of Derbyshire! It was a massive change and I found I couldn’t keep up with the team – I felt like I wasn’t a “real” runner. Again perseverance was key, and through regular training runs with my fellow Harriers, I now find I don’t feel so left behind, my confidence is building and I have now competed in a range of events. My running portfolio now includes cross-country, fell running and league races. Though I am usually one of the slower runners, my improvement since joining amazes me and I have become incredibly competitive with myself; I am always pushing for a personal best!
In June 2017 I ran the Derby Ramathon, and for the first time I can honestly say that I actually “ran” a Half Marathon. This was my first time running the whole distance, and I even managed a sprint finish! I can safely say I well and truly have the running bug, and I am planning to run two Half Marathons a year to hit my goal of running 10!
Running is a challenge - both mentally and physically - but if I can do it, anyone can! It has become a huge part of who I am and has greatly changed my life – and just maybe I can pass the running bug onto you…
