I know Rachel through the Trail Running magazine #Run1000Miles Facebook community. She was very surprised to be asked to do an interview. Hopefully you’ll instantly see why her story is such an important and positive one to share.
How and why did you get into running Rachel?
Rachel before running
As a family we love parkrun and wouldn’t be without our weekly fix – in fact we even did the New Years double and have done a Christmas Day parkrun for the last 2 years (not sure the kids are that impressed with that one!). We love the atmosphere and social side to parkrun as well as the challenge of trying to improve. My daughter and I are determined to get our volunteer shirts this year and will be volunteering each month in order to do so and hopefully we’ll reach our 100 milestone in the summer.
What a moment that will be – to do 100th together 🙂
You now lead a weekly run group. What would you like to say to your participants?
I want them to know how proud so am of them all, I’ve watched our RunTogether group go from single figures to over 50 people running on a weekly basis, new friendships have been made and everyone comes together to get out and have fun. It’s one of my highlights of the week and so love my Weardale Flyers.
How has your approach to nutrition changed?
It’s very odd that the woman who hated PE at school now runs 5 Times a week, goes to the gym, Tap dances, does yoga and core conditioning. I only recently joined the gym and can now be found regularly avoiding the treadmill (I much prefer to run outside) and working out in the weights area.
What 3 words best describe you?
Happy, determined, settled.
What do you think about when you’re out running?
Anything and nothing! I find running really helps keep my mind focused on life itself and has done so much for my mental health. I run to clear my mind, figure things out as well as laughing to myself about the day or marvel at the world around me! If I’ve got my aftershockz on it can be trying to remember the words to the song that’s playing. There are of course the “what the heck am I doing” moments but they’re all part of running and you just need to dig deep, play tricks on yourself and keep going!
How has running benefitted your wellbeing?
It’s benefitted me immensely, as well as being fitter physically I’m far more fitter and healthier mentally. Running helps me keep me grounded when the world is crazy and keeps me happy and sane when things get hard.
I’m lucky to live in the Durham Dales and there are trails literally on the doorstep. I love running on the Weardale Way and exploring local footpaths and trails.
Scared but excited! I know I can do it, but I also know it’ll be a challenge unlike anything I’ve done before!
What else is on your bucket list?
I would love to do all the marathon majors (road I know!) but also desperately want to do the Race to the Stones and The Wall, depending on how Edinburgh goes!
I’m sure you’ll achieve it too! The trail challenges as well will be amazing.  Thanks so much. Looking forward to seeing your progress again on #Run1000Miles Challenge 2018.  
All the best
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Noting it was from TRm Editor Claire Maxted, I thought I’d better read. “In 2017 we will launch a campaign called #Run1000Miles which will encourage runners of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds to have their fittest year ever, running 1000 miles over the course of the year….We would love you to be one of our ambassadors, running 1000 miles in
2017, blogging and social media-ing (is that a word yet?) about your progress and encouraging others.”
So many conflicting thoughts went through my head: “Never run that much in my life.” “How will it impact on family?” “How amazing it would be to participate!” “The health benefits could be huge!” “What if it makes Lymes flare up again?” “What if I let others down?” “We could be helping others to their fittest year ever.”
Materially, it had been suggested by Claire that this could help my blog. She knows how to get people on board with an idea! That was potentially true and I felt it was a way to repay TRm for their awarding of Best Reader Blog.
So I spoke to family about it and all were agreed I should do it, so long as I looked after myself and them, i.e. running didn’t come first. I immediately emailed my reply – Yes! After all, why not give it a go? If I didn’t manage at least I’d tried. Providing I was sensible, this could only benefit me and those close to me. The main reason… this was inclusive and designed to encourage more people to get out more and be active. To find and love the trails more.
Before long, I was one of a team of ambassadors who had signed up and pledged to #Run1000Miles. No going back!
 
Well we’re now 2 months in and it’s been incredible. On personal terms, I passed the 200 mile mark last week – to put that into context I ran circa 300 during the whole of 2016! Mid 2013 – mid 2014 I couldn’t exercise at all due to Lyme Disease. The challenge is helping me enjoy getting out for a run at least 3x per week, sometimes 5x. It matters not that some of those are jogs – in my mind there is no such thing as junk miles when you’re able to run outdoors.
 
But all of that is secondary to the benefits offered to others. For example, the kids (15 & 13) have got into running and now love to join me on trail runs rather than pounding the pavements. While I’m content to get fitter, their rate of progress is staggering and fantastically motivating!
The TRm #Run1000Miles Facebook community is the most positive I have ever seen. It’s a privilege to be involved. Everyone encourages their peers. All of us know that at some point injury and/or illness will stall momentum. All will progress through the challenge at different rates. It’s so important not to compare yourself to others. What’s the point after all? This is an individual challenge we are all helping each other be part of.
So when you read of someone who is “struggling with my running mojo”, or “feeling overwhelmed by the distances others are doing”, “had a really tough week but made myself get out on the trails”… How can that not inspire you to hit your local trails? I now do more running with the kids and our mini-Schnauzer pup. Incidentally, since taking up running in November my son has now developed from being much slower than me to beating me over fast or hilly 5k, 10k, 12k!
The pictures being shared by fellow #Run1000Miles challengers are fab. They show the joy, challenge, benefits of a trail run. The smiles, pain, mud, sun, wildlife, hills…  a few of mine are below.
Who know what are respective individual mileage will eventually be? Who knows how the challenge will shape us? On thing for sure – we’ll enjoy taking part  Oh, and the kids will get even quicker!!
How are you progressing? What obstacles have you face? What are you enjoying most about the challenge? Would love to hear from you in the comments
 
 
Yours in sport
Jeff
To say I was over the moon to receive the “Trail Running Magazine Best Reader Blog Award” is an understatement! When Editor, Claire Maxted emailed me to confirm I was doing somersaults (in my head anyway!). Â It was a good job she asked me to keep some of the news quiet for a few days
Evidently they loved my “concise style, entertaining writing and variety of subjects covered.” To be complemented on your writing in this way is awesome. Thank you so much Claire and the entire Trail Running mag team
For that I have to sincerely thank all the people I’ve interviewed since launching this site in Mar/Apr 2015:
Jill Butterworth, Lana Jane, Robbie Britton, Suzanne Stolberg, Nicky Spinks, Sarah Morton, Renee McGregor, Graham Patten, Dom Williams. You’ve all shared amazing insights and experiences.
So now I can say exercise and blogging truly lift me. I hope your running and any blogs you read continue to lift you. Keep exploring and enjoy
Trail Running Magazine is the leading off-road running publication. If features gear reviews, event listings, runner interviews and much much more. Latest issue is in newsagents. Or you can subscribe here.
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