Meet Julia

Julia never considered herself a runner. She despised cross country at school and couldn't fathom why anyone would run for pleasure. However, a tipsy night out with her work colleagues changed everything. Admiring their vibrant "running family" from afar, she felt a twinge of envy.

Her colleagues signed her up for the Couch to 5K program starting the following week. Initially, she had no intention of participating, thinking she'd at least have an excuse if she couldn't do it. Week one involved running for just one minute and walking for 1.5 minutes over 20 minutes. During that first session, she felt out of place until a kind man, Simon, started chatting and running alongside her. Despite feeling like her lungs were failing, her legs kept going. Simon's encouragement helped her finish the session, leaving her in tears of joy and pride.

Each session brought anxiety as the running times increased, yet, each time, she surprised herself by meeting the challenge. The support from the running club and her fellow runners was crucial, making her feel part of a supportive running family. Their encouragement motivated her to keep pushing her limits.

Julia achieved her goal and completed her 5k challenge at Braunstone Park Run, surrounded by her friends cheering her on. The experience transformed her view on running. While she may not love running itself, she loves her running family and the positive impact on her health.