Emily has always aspired to be a runner and finally built the confidence to start. She completed her first every 10k with us at Greenwich Park in October and finished within the hour, amazing achievement! Here’s her story:
Around four months ago I discovered yoga, aside from improving my fitness, it improved my mind and gave me the confidence to believe I could achieve anything I wanted to.
I’ve always wanted to be in a runner but never quite lived in the right area to do so safely, I’ve also never had the confidence – something which goes back to my school years, and I’ve never had the belief that I could do it.
Yoga gave me this confidence – I wouldn’t be where I am now without it.
While on a power walk in Greenwich park on 9th August (a little over 2 months ago) I saw lots of runners and for the first time in almost ten years I tried running for the first time outside. The most I had ever achieved 10 years ago was 5k on a treadmill, less on the roads.
On that day I couldn’t even do 2k without losing breath and needing to walk, but it felt great – and so I went back for more.
Slowly I built up to 5k and by that point I was really enjoying it, so I thought I’d challenge myself and sign myself up to the Greenwich 10k.
And so my first official race took me back to where I began almost three months ago… I wasn’t looking for a time, I just wanted to run the whole way without needing to walk.
I prepared, I trained, I watched my diet, did leg strengthening, and on the day I ran. Steady and measured and concentrating I ran.
I passed the finish line with a time of 56.32. I was stunned. Under an hour.
I’ve never experienced anything like it and since then I’ve signed up to two more 10k races and am now building up to my first half marathon in March. You can follow Emily’s journey to her half marathon HERE.