So, I started running seriously in 2017 a few years after I’d left the Royal Navy. I joined a local running club and completed my first half marathon. At about that time I joined Instagram to document my “journey”. I started following some runners for inspiration and I found “Thisgirlrunsfar” On paper, apart from the running, we have nothing in common. I’m not a mother, I’m not married so I have all the time in the world, I don’t have to fit stuff around family but, I found her to be very inspirational, both as a mother and as a runner. I have my own things too; I work in a busy operating department as an Operating Department Practitioner. I work shifts so my days are long!
Jemma ran Race to the Stones, and I followed her stories that weekend, and it inspired me to enter in 2019. I loved every minute. I did that on the back of Liverpool marathon two months prior to RTTS. It was a fantastic year, I felt so strong as a runner and as a woman. But once C-19 hit, my running took a back seat. I returned to my previous job in a busy trauma centre, helping with Covid patients. Then, without the support of my running club I found that my running took a back seat. I would go out, but I wasn’t consistent. I saw a post from Jemma saying that she was starting up her own coaching business and I immediately emailed her to register my interest. I got an email back to arrange a video chat to talk about what I wanted and what Jemma would want from me. THE BEST DECISION I’VE MADE.
Since I started working with Jemma my running has gone from strength to strength. I initially said to Jemma that I thought I wouldn’t get PBs now at my age I just wanted some consistency and accountability to someone. Within a month and a half, I had a new 5K PB!
I love Sundays when I get my programme for the week, I really look forward to having a structured plan. I’m someone with no self-motivation, but if I’m told I must do something, I’ll do it. I just don’t want to let Jemma down, that’s the accountability! I love finishing my week green. Jemma also understands that life sometimes gets in the way, so sessions can be adjusted within reason. I wasn’t sure that I was good enough to need a running coach, but now I don’t know how I ever managed to do a marathon and an ultra without one. Jemma isn’t just my coach; she is my friend. If you’re on the fence, just go for it I haven’t regretted a single minute of it.
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