Accidentally a Runner: Journey from Reluctant Jogger to 100-Mile Finisher

I didn’t exactly plan to become a runner. Most people get into it with a purpose or a reason. Meanwhile, my journey into running started when one evening on my way home from work I got a message from a friend that simply said: “We’re going to run club tonight, bring trainers, see you at 7.30.”

No warning. No prep. Just blind confidence in my ability to run, which, at that point, was rather optimistic!

Around the same time, a friend had just finished the club’s, East Grinstead Runners , version of Couch to 5K and was looking for us to join them for the occasional ParkRun. I said yes, mostly out of curiosity and maybe a little peer pressure. And of course a bit of fomo!

I turned up in questionably bright pink trainers from Primark, that I’d dug out from the back of the wardrobe, feeling wildly under-qualified and kind of convinced I’d made a huge mistake. However right from the first step, I loved it. Yes I swore under my breath and got tired but it was surprisingly fun! And I’d got through it. However, the reason I came back wasn’t only because I loved running straight away, it was because of the people.

The friendliness, the encouragement, the way East Grinstead Runners made me feel like I was doing great, even when I was out of breath and out of my depth! That’s what pulled me in. That community made showing up feel possible. And slowly, over time, I started to believe I could actually do this.

Fast forward to now, and I’ve run everything from 5Ks to 100-mile ultramarathons. That “maybe I’ll just try this once” attitude somehow turned into a full-blown love for the sport. Parkruns became part of the routine and most Saturdays me and my pals could be found at one. I have also dragged my family round them 2 christmases in a row and even find them on holiday!

After running my first marathon, I messaged another woman in the club who’s a successful ultramarathon runner. A post made by her earlier in the year shared on the clubs page had made 50 milers sound so much fun that I decided I also wanted to experience that! I was full of questions, and she replied with all the advice, support, and encouragement I needed to take on my first ultramarathon! That one conversation gave me the confidence to believe I could go even further. And I did.

Running has taught me so much not only about life but I’ve also learnt so much about me! Starting with the fact that I’m not as “chill” as I thought I was. I’ve found myself mid-race, covered in salt, unable to eat anything, grazes on my knees, with 30km still to go, wondering who on earth signed me up for this! But even when things got tough my determination always carried me through. I always try and have an positive outlook to anything in life and this is extra important when running. During hard moments it’s gratitude that gets me through. This is how I’ve chosen to spent my time and I have a body that allows me to do this, for that I’m always incredibly grateful!

I think what makes running unique and why I love it so much is that everyone is working towards their own goals, it’s a you vs you sport, making it accessible for everyone and nearly most of the time what you put into it is what you get out. Each goal is so different from a 5K Pb to a first marathon! The limits are endless.

And while running might come across like a solo activity, I rarely do it alone. My crew and pacers, in my longer races, are a mix of my best friends and amazing members of East Grinstead Runners! They have been right there with me through some rather tough miles! They’ve stayed up all night, patched me up, handed me snacks, and pulled me through the hardest moments with jokes, pep talks, and some serious tough love. They’ve seen me at my absolute worst and never once let me quit. Behind every strong runner is a team and mine means the world to me.

It doesn’t have to be an event to enjoy running. A run with a group of friends can turn into a much-needed therapy session or a dance across the trails with music playing. All willing each other on, sharing new routes and just having a good time whilst also exercising and having a great sense of achievement when the run is finished is an amazing feeling and a fantastic way to make memories that last.

As a woman, this journey has meant reclaiming space, building confidence, and proving to myself that I’m capable of doing things when I decide I’m going to try. As well as being presented with usual issues such as cramps and periods during races - my pacers got to know me a bit too well! But such is life and ultimately you just have to deal with it and carry on.

It actually didn’t occur to me until I started that women don’t make much up of the field, especially in longer distances. Perhaps this is because since the start of my journey I’ve been surrounded by women who I’ve taken inspiration from so was perhaps a bit ignorant when looking at a wider picture.

Running is so much more than just running. It can be anything from a way to connect with nature and escaping reality for a bit or it can be a way to push yourself to the limit and find out what you’re truly capable of.

And if you’re sitting there thinking, “Yeah, but I’m not a runner” I get it. I wasn’t either. Until I was.

I would encourage anyone to say yes to that running club invite. Show up to that Parkrun. Lace up the trainers you forgot you owned.

Because it doesn’t matter how you start, how far you go or how fast you are, what matters is that you give it a go. Explore local running clubs and activities on HerMove today! You might just surprise yourself. I know I did.

This blog is a great example of the powerful personal stories we want to share at HerMove. If you have a story to tell, or a club to share, please get in touch with the HerMove team via our website at www.hermove.uk.