“I DON’T KNOW WHETHER IT WAS A COMBINATION OF THE WEIGHT LOSS AND ENDORPHINS, IT JUST FELT GREAT”

Helen Bly was a size 18 when she ran her first mile four years ago. Now she’s a size eight, running marathons and feeling better than she’s ever felt before

PHOTO: HELEN TUR TON WORDS: JENNIFER BOZON

Shoes: Saucony Women’s Ride 10, £120, saucony. com/UK/

COVER STAR

For her entire life Helen Bly had wanted to be able to run. She’d tried other ways of getting fit, including swimming and going to the gym and had even tried running on the treadmill, but nothing seemed to do it for her. However, aged 34, unfit, overweight and fed up with her life, she decided it was time to make a change – and running was going to be her outlet. Finding the courage to take those first steps, Helen began her journey towards fulfilling her lifetime ambition – a journey that has seen her doing things she could never have imagined.

Helen, a mum of two and school administrator from Rochdale, went for her very first run four years ago and has since transformed her body and her life. Completely self-trained, Helen went from being unable to run for a minute to running her first ultra-marathon this year, and has dropped six dress sizes in the process. Her battle to get fit has been hard – physically and emotionally – seeing her complete some of the hardest runs she’ll ever have to do, while pushing through feelings of shame and embarrassment. But, determined to become a stronger runner, Helen’s never lost sight of her goals and is now fitter and more confident than she’s ever been.

Helen has lost five stone since taking up running