In this enlightening interview, Lynne AKA “Jogonhijabi”, talks about the importance of running and joy of #Parkrun.

What has running given you?

Have you ever experienced negative stereotypes while running?

How do you handle it?

Fundraising for Gambia how can people help?

VLM whats your hope?

Lynne, thank you so much for reflecting on your running story with us. The very best of luck with Virgin London Marathon 2018 and your fundraising.

You may remember that Trail Running magazine Editor Claire said #Run1000Miles was about all participants having “their fittest year ever”

Well I’m one of literally thousands of people enjoying this very outcome thanks to the challenge and incredible community of people participating. The ethos was very much about this being inclusive and all about encouraging more people to get out and be more active.

The #Run1000Miles Facebook community is the very embodiment of this in action. Just spend anything from 1-10 mins looking through the incredible posts and you’ll see what I mean  No photoshopping here – all the beautiful realities of mud, sweat, rain, sun, wind, sweaty kit…

I was incredibly honoured and surprised to be asked to be ambassador for this challenge. Inspired by fellow participants, family, club mates and friends, I found myself hitting over 640 miles by end of June!

Much of this has been through doing ‘little and often’ rather than battering myself on some massive trail running routes to compensate for days without running. By ‘little and often’ I mean anything from 2 – 5 miles on a regular basis with some longer runs thrown in. Several of these little runs have also been very slow and steady.  All of which I’m sure has been critical to staying injury free (so far!) for the first time in more years than I care to remember

As we hit mid-August, my personal mileage is at 761. This is 2.5 times further than I ran in the whole of 2016 and comes only 3-4 years after being unable to do any exercise whatsoever due to chronic illness.

Having said all of this, the challenge has shown me that actually the mileage is relatively unimportant. It’s about just getting out there in the fresh air, being in the moment, being active when you can and are able.

The challenge has also inspired my kids to become regular runners – of their own volition rather than any cajoling from me. My eldest has joined our running club and is already winning prizes whilst our youngest is enjoying weekly track sessions as well as loving trail runs   

I’d love to hear how you’re getting on so far. How are you finding it? In what way is it helping you? Are you fitter than before? Has it inspired others to run with you?

Here’s some more recent pics from my running

Yours in sport
Jeff

I heard one of the marshals shout something like “over here…stomach!” and was then asked if I was okay and kindly given water by the first aid.

Physically, I knew I’d made the right decision – I still felt exhausted and feverish an hour later. Mentally it was a different story…

…I’ve read so many times that a DNF (Did Not Finish) can happen to anyone at any time.  So many running friends have DNF’d. All that doesn’t stop you beating yourself up when it happens to you. When even your arms are feeling fatigued when running relaxed. When you want to push on but can’t. None of this stops those inner voices saying “You’re shit…You’re not fit enough…That old fella’s just passed you easily…”.

At the same time, you’re trying to be kind to yourself. Running is enjoyable. You’re representing your club (Rochdale Harriers in my case) and running with club mates. Your kids are participating too – giving their best racing performances yet

All sound a bit self-absorbed? I suppose reflecting on a DNF is ‘all about me’ to a large extent. Did you do the right thing? Could you have carried on? Did you let down your club mates? What will people think? Worrying about the latter two is pointless. You can’t change any of that anyway. What you can do is use the experience to learn.

What Lessons From a DNF?

• Just let it go -inner voices are just thoughts. They come and go. Never cling on to them.
• Know your body. Instinctively, you’ll know what’s right for you.
• They do happen and probably will do so again.
• There is no shame in not finishing when you’ve been trying.

Does it really matter?

Yes, in that I learned some things from it.

Not at all – from the wider perspective of still enjoying a race night with club and family. I was able to cheer on fellow runners on each of their laps. Seeing some making a comeback was amazing. Louis and his mate Charlie (both 16) were part of the winning men’s team and ran a PB. Izzy (13) ran her 2nd best 5k – after winning her sports day race earlier in the day. Our women were the winning team too. There we a several PB’s, Kay, Matt, Louis & Jill Butterworth – with yet another in 2017!!!  The 5k was a cracking little course. We all had an enjoyable time

Rochdale Harriers chain gang – pic by Mia Butterworth

Proud winning teams (missing Jan N)

Under-age drinkers?

And wierdly, the 3k I did run, took me over 600 miles in the 2017 #Run1000Miles challenge – YAY!!

So I’ll be out in the hills this weekend, enjoying some lovely trails. Looking forward to track drills next Monday and #TrackTuesday. And we’ll be back at another 5k race in the Cannonball Events summer series.

Keep moving forward

Jeff

That was the question posed during a meditation session on training motivation.

Up to a year ago my feelings would have responded in the positive. I was forever measuring myself against past performance. Getting frustrated at my inability to reach previous levels – be it a 5k, 10k, trail run or track session. Everything was a battle. Fighting Lyme Disease. A mindset of ‘beating’ chronic illness. That it won’t ‘defeat’ me.

All of this was counterproductive in the extreme. Not least because I became so focused on me and in some denial as to the extent of its impact on me and my family. I became a self-centred pr*ck. Behaviour never to be excused.

Turn to daily meditation and appreciating what we have in life resulted in a totally different outlook. A far more productive outlook and appreciating little things that matter. I use Headspace btw.

So the feelings that came when that question was asked were that happiness is not dependent on my goals. Being content comes from appreciating the life we have. The constant flux. Saying goodnight to those we love. A simple smile

Related to training and running. I have learned to appreciate the joy of being active, whenever my body and time allows. So to smile when out running rather than being driven by times. Appreciating the beautiful off-road routes on our doorstep. Running mindfully when jogging with the kids – who are both getting quicker!! Truly appreciating the fact I can still be active when lots of chronic illness sufferers cannot.

You might be returning from a long spell of injury, frustrated at how hard you now find training. Be kind to yourself and remind yourself of why you do it. Is it for views and fresh air? Wellbeing of mind & body? For the simple fun of exercise?

All the best

Jeff

In this interview, he shares the motivations, trials and teachings from his 2016 adventures.

Brendan, how did you get into running?

I stared running in 2006, it was actually a bet on a drunken night. A group of us agreed to run the Wilmslow Half Marathon 3 months later. So with no experience I would get up at 6am before work and run/walk from lamp post to lamp post. I hated it to begin with but once I built up periods of running I started to really enjoy it. This was the start of a life transformation from debt, partying and being unhealthy to becoming more healthy and my early morning runs would wake me up and start my day so well.

What inspired you to start fundraising?

My 1^st trip to Malawi in 2008 was the start of fundraising, visiting one of the poorest countries in the world had a huge impact on my life. Behind the extreme poverty the people showed incredible resilience, I was welcomed with open arms and the smiles, laughter, singing and the dancing gave me such an appreciation for life.

In 2009 I returned to Malawi visiting FOMO (Friends of Mulanje Orphans) an orphan care programme. I spent 3 weeks there and witnessed the incredible work they do supporting 4,500 orphans and that inspired me to fund raise for them for the last 7 years.

What was the ‘Why’ behind your Malawi challenge?

So after traveling between 2012 and 2015 I had returned to the UK inspired to return to my favourite country Malawi. The last time I was there was 2009 and really wanted to return.

During these years of travel I had not been running so the combination of wanting to raise money, getting back to fitness and having the idea that the best way to see a country is by foot the idea of Running Malawi was born.

I had met with FOMO and asked if I could have a fund raising project. The run was to raise £35,000 to build a Science Block for their Independent Secondary school. Education is something I am also passionate about.

How do you plan and train for over 1100km 27 days?!

In 2015 I was back training quite hard, and over the summer had completed 3 marathons in 12 weeks, ran 2 ultra marathons a 50km and 58km and ended the summer running the famous Wainwright Coast to Coast 192 miles in 8 days. That gave me the confidence to complete running the length of Malawi.

I would also train most days covering 20 miles a day this would in include a walk/run training plan where it was not about speed but just being on my feet most days for 20 miles.

I also introduced cycling in the afternoons.

Goodness me! How did you get through tough moments?

There were a few tough moments through out the run –  when I got sick and had terrible stomach problems, also my legs swelled, running a marathon a day for 27 days was going to be tough in the heat, I didn’t have the luxury of showers, a bed, variety of food. Instead we were camping, showered with a bucket of water and ate rice, veg and chicken most days.

But all of these things were put into perspective as the poverty I witnessed daily was so extreme. The 1^st school we camped at the classrooms were falling down many not even having a roof.

That was the drive behind the tough moment’s that I was so determined to make a difference and in my head kept thinking all of these tougher moments are just short term – keep thinking of raising that money and building that school block for these incredible children.

Every day I would be joined by so many children this also helped me a lot especially when it started to get hot – its great to have company.

What did your daily nutrition typically consist of?

It was quite limited what we did have to eat.  In the mornings I had a rice porridge and peanut butter and jam bread rolls. Lunch and evening meal would be rice, pasta with veg and chicken.

What is your most treasured memory of Malawi?

My most treasured memory of running Malawi has to be when I met Ganizani a little boy who was 12. His parents had died and he was disabled. His life was dragging himself along the floor I found this extremely difficult but returning a few days after I had finished the run with a wheel chair was so overwhelming.

There are so many special moments it’s so hard to choose just one. The whole run was completely out of this world.

Describe JOGLE in three words.

Immense – Spectacular – Freedom

How was it different to running Malawi?

Running JOGLE was completely different than running Malawi. In Malawi I had a support team and Emma cycling close by, I had far more challenges in Malawi heat, limited choice of food and camping every night.

Running JOGLE I was running alone, I did have company a few days. I could stop when I wanted to cafes, I could stay in a hostel if I wanted to rather than camp. Also because I was running alone my mental focus was greater.

What have your challenges taught you about people?

Running Malawi the people and children were just so overwhelming having them join me it was crazy.

Running JOGLE I experienced so much kindness with people offering a free bed for the night, people would pay for my lunch/food and people I met along the way would donate. I loved how both runs pulled people together in a positive way.

What motivates you?

I want to gain and grow through experiences so if I can combine a run/adventure with fundraising then I get the perfect mix. A lot of what motivates me is making a difference changing a life.

Cairo to Cape Town! Tell us more…

Its something that has been in my head for a while, it’s a huge challenge and I really do believe I could do it. Its just when. Its early days but I think I would need to run the coast to coast of Africa before I make decision.

Coast to coast of Africa before the length?!  Can anyone do such challenges?

I think everyone has the potential to do far more than what we believe. I think it’s circumstances that can hold people back sometimes, jobs, debts, children.

I do think however people should take more risks instead of something in your head is an idea make it a reality. Start smaller and who knows where it may end up. I think challenges can be made pretty cheap, and they don’t have to be in another county. Great Britain has so many places to set a unique and special challenge.

courtesy B Rendall

Suggestions to #getoutside?

We are in a time of screens, people being more stressed, working more so it’s now that getting outside is so important.

Its free walking, running or cycling lose your self in your surroundings, it’s the best therapy.

Any other plans for 2017?

In 2017 I plan to do some races over 10km – marathon I would like to get a bit of speed back, improve my times over those distances. Run Hadrian’s Wall and also the Wales coastal path.

In August I am also running a 200 mile Ultra race.

Bren, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Your fundraising and challenges are inspiring to myself and many many others. We look forward to following your adventures in 2017 and beyond

Jeff