Having gone fr om struggling to run for 30 seconds, to running thr ee times a week, Geor gina Reed, who also has scoliosis, is pr oof that no matter y our fitness background, health issues or age, it ’s never too late to start running – or smashing PBs!

WORDS: LISA JA CKSON

I bought a pair of trainers seven years ago with the intention of learning to run,” says Georgina Reed, 42, a graphic designer from Derbyshire. “However, although the intention was definitely there, the motivation wasn’t and those trainers stayed in the cupboard for about six years! I decided running was going to be the sport for me because of its health benefits and, as I’ve always enjoyed walking, I loved the idea of being able to go much further in the same length of time.

“‘Sport, as a word, was always a bit scary, because it wasn’t a subject I enjoyed at school. I’m not naturally athletic and, although I wasn’t the last to be picked for teams, I was certainly in the final few. As for cross-country, that always meant running for a few metres until I was out of sight of the teacher and then spending the next hour having a nice walk.