18/09/2024
Part 17 - Roisin
In June 2019, I laced up my running shoes for the first time, driven by a singular goal- to lose weight. Back then, I only ran on the treadmill. I never ran with anyone else. It was a mission, driven by the sole focus of shedding pounds.
Just before COVID-19, I began running outside. During the pandemic, running became a daily habit and was a needed hobby throughout lockdown life. However, while my runs transitioned from the treadmill to the road, my goal of losing weight never changed. Unfortunately, during this time, I wasn’t eating enough/stretching properly, which led to a knee injury. This forced me to stop running for over a year. My motivation waned because I was running for the wrong reasons.
During my break from running, I joined a softball team and met my friend Chino. He was training for the Belfast Half Marathon, and his enthusiasm inspired me to sign up too. Less than a year later, I completed my first marathon race. This achievement reignited my passion for running. Running along side someone else was a new adjustment but quickly became something I thoroughly enjoyed.
In December 2023, I joined a running club called Pace. This group changed everything for me. Running with others brought a new level of enjoyment and support. My running improved significantly, not just in terms of speed and endurance, but also in my overall approach. I started fueling my body properly and running for the right reasons-health, happiness, and personal growth. In the space of nine months I managed to get a PB in every distance and have just ran my first ultra distance last weekend. I travelled to London and ran the Thames path challenge, running 50km and raising over £500 for charity.
Throughout this journey, I learned the true meaning of health. How you look or how much you weigh isn’t the be-all end-all. So, five years on I continue to lace up my running shoes, but now with the motivation of achieving personal bests, making friends, and enjoying the process.
