I started running In June 2014, I had been thinking about it for a while but always been put off as I thought it would put too much strain on my Joints before that, however I had upped my level of walking and thought I would give the running a go. I had never run before apart from the odd attempt on a treadmill but my friend was training for the marathon and had suggested a few times I take it up as it might help with weight loss. I had lost 3 stone previously but was slowly putting it back on and having suffered with anxiety and a lot going on personally I decided I needed to do something.

I went along to some of the health walks run by the rangers in Birkenhead park during the walking festival in May and got to going walking round Birkenhead park and saw people running. I also saw the group advertised and noticed that it appealed to beginners of all sizes and abilities and thought that might be me!. I decided to try out doing the couch to 5k app on my phone and gave it a go for a few weeks but just found it tough on my own and gave in too easily and couldn’t motivate myself enough and was doing more walking than running. I invested in a pair of decent trainers and knew I was serious about it as and wanted to commit to my own health and losing weight as it was my 40th in the February.

I went to my first ‘Run in Wirral’ absolute beginners group at the end of June and really enjoyed it, I thought I might be able to do that and the c25k together but soon realised I was getting more out of the group support than I could on my own . I kept going just once a week for a few weeks though as well as occasional solo runs and saw how much it was helping my weight loss. I completed the Race for Life at the end of July and decided that although it went well I wanted to up the level of running and be able to eventually do it without stopping . I was undergoing physio for my knee at the time and when I spoke to her about it she was really supportive and put my mind at rest about the damage to my knees.

In September, encouraged by other people in the absolute beginners group I went along on a Saturday morning and really enjoyed running round the park with the support of a group and then the catch up over a cup of tea and toast afterwards. Going from absolute beginners to beginners felt like a big step and I worried about holding people back but soon found that everyone was really supportive and encouraging and I wasn’t that far back. I’ve kept going with the Saturday group as much as possible as the achievement of me getting up on a Saturday to go running is massive, let alone the running itself.

At the end of September knowing I was going to miss a week of runs due to holidays, I went to the Monday night group in West Kirby persuaded by one of the leaders who said there was going to be “no hills”. She lied! Actually despite feeling like I couldn’t make it all the way, I enjoyed the sense of achievement and also the downhills are fab – “Never waste a downhill” is now our mantra. Running even just two lampposts at a time and then a bit of a walk was a great way to break it down and focusing on a point to aim for has got me through.

Going a few times a week has really helped and going into the winter months I was worried about giving it up but I’ve kept going as much as possible , even running in the rain doesn’t faze me now. I’ve met some lovely people who go to the groups and have started to going along to Pilates with one of them as we hope it might work well with the running too. For any new members it’s good to realise that everyone remembers what it was like to start running and is really supportive and when you are struggling and need to walk a bit there is a leader at the back for support.

I ran the Santa dash in December with a friend from the running group and even did runs during Christmas and New Year when usually I’d be sitting in eating chocolates. I think the key for me has been getting into a routine and knowing when I’m going to go running. I do love the idea of being able to go out on my own too sometimes but definitely in the winter, having it planned in gets me out and running. I love the feeling of getting fresh air and chatting to people and it has been great for that. It’s also a great way of switching off other thoughts as the focus goes on moving your legs and breathing and focusing on keeping going.

When I started running in June I also started to properly do Weightwatchers again after messing round for a while and with the combination of the two the weight is coming off and I have come down in dress sizes too. Since June till now I’ve lost 36.5 lbs. (2 stone 8.5) and in total over the last 4 years since I joined WW I’ve lost 66 lbs. in total ( 4 stone 10). It’s the lowest weight I’ve been for about 15 years . Exercise and healthy eating is the key and also seeing the weight come off has really inspired me to stick to the eating plan and running. I love getting compliments now although I’m not very good at accepting them and feeling the difference in clothes sizes is great. I’ve come down about 3 jeans sizes and 2 dress sizes and am enjoying shopping for clothes now.

I always struggled in the past for keeping up with things and keeping it going but setting little goals and plans is a great way to do it. I’m hoping soon to be able to run things like a mile without stopping and eventually a 5 k without walking but for now it’s about doing what I can and am seeing improvements and benefits to it. Psychologically it has been great as after some runs I’ve felt like I could conquer the world and I’ve tried to keep that feeling in my head as long as possible. Seeing before and after photos and almost not recognising myself in the new shape is great and even on weeks when I don’t lose weight I’m not bothered as I know It’s now a part of my life and I can keep it up.

The run leaders are such a support as is the rest of the group and I’ve been encouraging friends to join as I know how much its helped me. Even when its tiring or you question why am I doing this , remembering the feeling of achievement and going just a little bit further is a way round it. I’ve definitely found that even if I’m running slowly, I’m still moving forward and finding your own pace rather than tiring out too quickly has been a great lesson I’ve been taught.

The Pics below are at the very beginning when I first started running and did race for life with the group from weight watchers and the run we did at Christmas. There is also a couple of pics before and after too. and one at Christmas party feeling fab in a new dress. There is also a very old pic of me walking race for life in my jeans which is before I lost any weight.

Since writing this case study Andrea has had an accident and has not been able to join us for 12 months but we are hoping for her return very soon.