Kate Bryant
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I started running back in November 2014, the group was about 3 weeks new. My son Freddie was about to turn one and the constant realisation that the baby weight needed to come off wasnt going away.
The first session I turned up, feeling anxious about the unknowing. Was I going to be the only one that couldn't run? What was I going to be made to do? What if I fell flat on my face?! Geoff made me feel really welcome and soon I was chatting away to the members, many of us felt like a fish out of water! I remember my first run, well if you can call it that. I got an eighth of a mile and must have stopped three or four times, out of breath and hyperventalating. The camaraderie of the team got me through that night, the friendliness and inclusiveness of the group inspired and motivated me to turn up week after week, irrespective of my performance. As an anxiety sufferer, running is my solace. The darker times are made more bearable by being out there with others to lift my mood and to exert any worries. The friendships formed and the encouragement we all give one another in times of need is so amazing and valuable in making the team as special as it is. Everyone, regardless of ability or speed is celebrated and the families and friends of the runners are as valued as the next person, one of the most aspirational qualities about Team Anstey. My proudest moment and achievement is running in the league races. Who would ever have thought after that first awful 'run', that I could run 8 miles?! Yes I really have done it, several times! Plus the wolf run! Mud, water and obstacles, who would have thought it?! Losing the 3 stone post baby weight has been incredible, I have never felt so fit and all doing something that is fun! Top tips- 1) Be yourself, follow your own goals and aspirations and try not to get caught up in other peoples. We are all different and have different targets, enjoy it and beat your own milestones. 2) Have fun! I didnt for a second think that running could be enjoyable when I was hyperventalating and breaking out in a sweat. Now im running alongside great people, having a natter. Sorry guys and gals who know and run with me. I dont stop talking! Ha Kate x |
Joe Boyle
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A little while ago I was asked to give a brief History of my running journey
I thought I would add a bit of humour to it… well, hopefully. Therefore, here goes. A long long time ago (so it feels), a handsome fit young man called Joe (well I did say it was a long time ago) was out celebrating his annual village idiot award in the Drunken Plonker Inn. After several flagons of ale, in walked a vison of beauty. Ooh she was so beautiful; again it was a long time ago. T’was the fair lady Sharon of Scraptoft. They got on so well that they agreed to meet again at the Ladies castle, poor Joe had no trusted steed to take him over to the other side of the kingdom, so off came his long knee length boots (which by the way I still have, but that’s another story). On went a rough pair of ye old trainers then off he set. He travelled for hours up and over dale through raging rivers (well, little brooks then), fighting of ye old council estate dogs until he reached his fair Lady’s castle. She was so impressed on his epic journey she agreed to let him see her again. Poor Joe did this journey for several months until the fair Lady said if he wanted to marry her, he would have to prove himself as a runner. “Join the knights of the elite runners table” she said… So the quest began. During his time, training such strange and humorous did fall upon him. Out one foggy dark morn, he jumped over a wooden fence on to a large mud mound. When to his amazement, up got the mud mound and carried him over 200mtrs before being dumped into ye little steam at the end of field. Ooh how the beast did ‘moo!’ Running one summers eve along the river soar near Maids Kirby/and West Milk Parlour, wiping away the perspiration from his face, he did slip into the river. Such a fall from this height he was stuck in the stagnant mud - but managed to release his self from it but had to swim ¼ of a mile until he could reach the foot path and carry on his way. Joe was so unlucky, he and a fellow runner entered ye old market Harborough Half Marathon but the 2 young runners missed the pre-race instructions, so off they when at the start. To both of their amazements they were both at the front of ye field following the lead horse. After 9miles the horse turned off the main highway and carried on for several hundred meters before stopping . The knight dismounted and told the young Runners what plonkers thou art; they should have gone down the other lane. So the two plonkers turned round and retraced their steps until back on track. Oh how they did laugh at the end of the race, finishing in 1 hour and 17 mins 7th and 8th place, But undeterred by these small set backs, he pushed on with his running. Race after race he would enter to try and impress his sweetheart and gain the hand of Sharon, and be allowed to join those elite knights. He would write to his sweet heart of his race times. Beaumont leys 5=27:17 Hugaton 7 = 39:40 Gec 20 2:00 Skegness 6=33:10 Beaumontleys leys 5k 16:40 London marathon 2:42 Barrow 10= 54:30 Lady Sharon took pity on the would be runner and gave her hand in marriage, she knew he would never make an elite knight but his courage and self believe won her heart. He was her prince.xxx Joe’s proudest moment was when lady Sharon was in her 40th year, and exclaimed “I want to run!” So they both trained for months of sweat and toil until Sharon was ready to run the Leicester Half Marathon. How impressed and proud of his sweetheart in completing it in 2 hours and 13 mins.. His biggest achiement was running 1st London marathon in spilt time 1:33 first half .2nd half 1:20 . Here ends the journey of Joe’s running… His top tip would be: Find a bloody Lady who doesn’t live on the other side of the kingdom. Enjoy your running journey- don’t forget to laugh at the bad runs. Always a good run round the next corner.. Happy running! |
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