After our first couple of runs it became apparent that our trainers/sneakers that we had found in the back of the wardrobe were not really up to the job. We were both suffering with sore feet and knees!
Off we went to Sweatshop in Milton Keynes to get kitted out in some proper running shoes. After having our gaits analysed – the husband is a neutral runner and I under pronate apparently! We were given a selection of shoes to try, I opted for some Mizuno Wave Connects and the husband went for some Brooks Glycerin.
Yay, we had proper shoes and then the shop assistant told us about The Sweatshop Running Community, SRC. They run four times a week, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. You register on-line and fill in a disclaimer in store the first time you run and off you go. We joined in with a beginners group who were about half way through a zero to 5k program. We were hooked from our very first outing with SRC, such a friendly bunch of people, we soon made friends.
Around about this time we decided that we needed a goal to aim for and a commitment we couldn’t renege on to insure we didn’t give up. Oh I thought, how about the London Duathlon for Macmillan Cancer Support on September 14th, we could opt for the Super Sprint distance of 5k run, 11k bike, 5k run. An achievable challenge if we put the training in and for a good cause as well.
We followed the Run Double program and got to the end of it, it works! Whoop, whoop, I’ve gone from staggering through a 60 second run to now being able to run 5ks, I never thought I would be able to do it and it just shows what a bit of perseverance can achieve. I’ve also graduated from the Sweatshop beginners group into the improvers group and have my free yellow Adidas Sweatshop Running Top which I am always proud to wear.
We have also added Parkrun to our weekly training schedule. http://www.parkrun.org.uk/
Parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in.
These events take place in pleasant parkland surroundings and they encourage people of every ability to take part; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience; everyone is welcome.
Milton Keynes Parkrun takes place at 9am at Willen Lake on a Saturday. It’s free, well orgainised and super friendly. I like volunteering for it as much as I like running it.
Fat lass to triathlete 