“I first got into running 10 years ago following the sudden death of both of my beloved grandparents. It hit me hard and I struggled to process my loss. I spent my weekends partying away my grief, which served as a means to escape my feelings and forget about everything. It was only after I came across some old photographs of my grandad and learned he was quite the athlete in his day that I was inspired to make a change and do something I believed to be impossible. I swapped my high heels for a pair of trainers and signed up for my first marathon, which I ran for Alzheimer’s Society in memory of my grandma. As the mileage increased each week, the weight of the grief started to lift and it felt amazing to be channelling all the sadness into something positive.
These days, I turn to running as a coping mechanism to manage the daily stresses of life. I run four-five times a week, usually in the mornings, which is not only my favourite time but it always sets me up for the day ahead. I also find the peace and solitude very therapeutic and it gives me the headspace to process my thoughts in the tranquil surroundings and birdsong.
For many years, I didn’t enjoy spending time in my own company and running is one of the only things I’m 100 percent happy doing alone. To me, running alone gives me the headspace I need to process thoughts and feelings without any distractions. There is no pressure to politely engage in conversation if you don’t want to and I’m free to dictate my own pace. My reason for running is because of the feeling of freedom it gives me and I have never not felt safe when out running. In fact it’s one of the places where I feel most safe. When running alone, I ensure my husband knows the route, always carry my phone and have the Find My Friends App so he can track me if he wants to. During winter months I stick to well-lit routes and ensure I’m visible. I don’t listen to music if I’m in unfamiliar surroundings, or running early in the morning or late at night.”