Vicky Burr only really took up running to get fit for cycling. But she discovered a whole new world of fitness possibilities and it transformed her life − and her career − for ever

WORDS: LISA JACKSON

INSPIRATION

I didn’t really choose running. It just grew on me. But it changed me, helped me find myself again, boosted my confidence and made me realise I could achieve my dreams, ” says Vicky Burr, 53, from Addlestone in Surrey.

“It’s hard to believe that just six years ago I could barely run for a bus. After struggling up a hill in a cycling event in 2011, I wanted to improve my fitness, so I started using the NHS Couch to 5K (C25K) podcast in July 2012. Listening to the presenter Laura’s voice telling me when to run and when to walk was just brilliant! It was amazing how, just as I was flagging and thinking ‘I can’t do this’, Laura would cut across the background music and give me encouragement. The first week wasn’t too bad, but in week three I thought I was going to die. I honestly didn’t think I’d make it through the programme. But I did. (I had a massive fangirl moment recently when Laura followed me on Instagram!)

“A few weeks after running my first 5K race, my brother Gray died unexpectedly. I had to spend a few days in Deal sorting out his flat and paperwork, and as I pounded the seafront promenade between Deal and Kingsdown as a way to get away from it all and cope with my grief, it dawned on me that I needed to radically change my life. More importantly, I realised I didn’t have forever to do so.