About Me and 1small-step
I am definitely not a runner, well not an athlete would be a better way of putting it. I am however and Event manager and I have, l over the past 25 years, helped many thousands of people complete their own running challenges.
Either as the race organiser, a race day volunteer, or more commonly as the race commentator….yes that bloke who stands on the stage gets the crowd warmed up and the talks solidly for 2 hours as each of the runners makes their way across the finish line….that’s me, quite often dressed as a penguin!
I have often wondered if I could run a race, but always discounted it due to my ‘dodgy knees’.
In 2018, I suffered a major issue with my mental health, there was a lot of things happening in my life all at the same time and it created a perfect storm.
Whilst I was recovering, I kept saying that I needed to be able to stand on the stage again, it was almost as though this is would be how I knew I was well.
For many years I have commentated at MoRun, I have interviewed Ambassadors from Movember who shared their stories and why they support the work of Movember.
In 2018 it was my turn, in front of over 1000 runners I shared my story, and told the runners, how I nearly wasn't there to tell them my story.
It is important to remember, even when things are at their darkest, there is always somebody who has your back. It may be a friend, a colleague, a family member a loved one or even a stranger, but you do need to tell someone.
They may not spot the signs, but if you can ask for help, someone, maybe someone unexpected will be there. It is ok not to be ok.
As my health improved, I tried a bit of running, but then Covid came along and all those dark feeling started to rise again.
I made a choice to take one small step and change my life, I knew it would be good for both my physical and mental health so thought I would try and do ‘Couch to 5K’.
In May I completed my first ever 5k and in June ran my first ever 10K.
I signed up to the Wales Coastal Path challenge, 870 miles in 12 months (16 a week) well at least I thought it would get me out of the house.
Gradually I got the bug and each week there was more miles in the bag, as I write this I am somewhere in North Wales, well virtually, having covered over 600 miles in just over 3 months.
Always looking at what I can do next, in September I completed my first ever half marathon in 2h 34min – not bad for an over 50 beginner.
Next stop was the Virtual London Marathon…
I decided that if there was one year, I should do this, then 2020 was it. I entered and got a place! Then the pack arrived with running numbers, eek, this is getting real!!
On the 4 October along with 45,000 others, virtually, I took on my own course and the awful weather. My goal was just to finish, time didn’t matter, as your first race will always be a PB.
The support around Cardiff was incredible, people shouting, cheering, tooting car horns whenever they saw my running number. The first half went so well, then the weather up its assault. Wind now blowing the rain directly into the front of me felt like needles.
Around Cardiff Bay I plodded on, pausing only for some jelly babies outside the BBC Dr Who studios, seemed appropriate, before heading back towards the finish line near Roath Park.
I did it!
What was next. Unfortunately I picked up an injury just after the marathon, but that didn’t stop me. In Movember I did MoRun with a great group of socially distanced freinds, plus Nos Galon in December.
At the end of January I finally made it to the end of the Wales Coastal Path (virtually) 870 miles done. I chose to walk the last leg of the journey and finish at the Clock Tower at Roath Park. The weather decided to commemorate the occasion with a flurry of snow, it did all feel quite special.
My challenge journey continues with a trip along Route 66 and in February a team of us are collating our mileage for a 28 days around the world challenge.
I was hopeful, of a place in the 2021 London marathon and on the 8 February I found out I have a place! This is incredible and gives me something to aim for as the year continues.
One thing I do know, the link between Physical activity and improved Mental health is huge. My name is Nic, I am a 50+ plodder, an Ambassador for Movember….and a Marathon Runner.
Either as the race organiser, a race day volunteer, or more commonly as the race commentator….yes that bloke who stands on the stage gets the crowd warmed up and the talks solidly for 2 hours as each of the runners makes their way across the finish line….that’s me, quite often dressed as a penguin!
I have often wondered if I could run a race, but always discounted it due to my ‘dodgy knees’.
In 2018, I suffered a major issue with my mental health, there was a lot of things happening in my life all at the same time and it created a perfect storm.
Whilst I was recovering, I kept saying that I needed to be able to stand on the stage again, it was almost as though this is would be how I knew I was well.
For many years I have commentated at MoRun, I have interviewed Ambassadors from Movember who shared their stories and why they support the work of Movember.
In 2018 it was my turn, in front of over 1000 runners I shared my story, and told the runners, how I nearly wasn't there to tell them my story.
It is important to remember, even when things are at their darkest, there is always somebody who has your back. It may be a friend, a colleague, a family member a loved one or even a stranger, but you do need to tell someone.
They may not spot the signs, but if you can ask for help, someone, maybe someone unexpected will be there. It is ok not to be ok.
As my health improved, I tried a bit of running, but then Covid came along and all those dark feeling started to rise again.
I made a choice to take one small step and change my life, I knew it would be good for both my physical and mental health so thought I would try and do ‘Couch to 5K’.
In May I completed my first ever 5k and in June ran my first ever 10K.
I signed up to the Wales Coastal Path challenge, 870 miles in 12 months (16 a week) well at least I thought it would get me out of the house.
Gradually I got the bug and each week there was more miles in the bag, as I write this I am somewhere in North Wales, well virtually, having covered over 600 miles in just over 3 months.
Always looking at what I can do next, in September I completed my first ever half marathon in 2h 34min – not bad for an over 50 beginner.
Next stop was the Virtual London Marathon…
I decided that if there was one year, I should do this, then 2020 was it. I entered and got a place! Then the pack arrived with running numbers, eek, this is getting real!!
On the 4 October along with 45,000 others, virtually, I took on my own course and the awful weather. My goal was just to finish, time didn’t matter, as your first race will always be a PB.
The support around Cardiff was incredible, people shouting, cheering, tooting car horns whenever they saw my running number. The first half went so well, then the weather up its assault. Wind now blowing the rain directly into the front of me felt like needles.
Around Cardiff Bay I plodded on, pausing only for some jelly babies outside the BBC Dr Who studios, seemed appropriate, before heading back towards the finish line near Roath Park.
I did it!
What was next. Unfortunately I picked up an injury just after the marathon, but that didn’t stop me. In Movember I did MoRun with a great group of socially distanced freinds, plus Nos Galon in December.
At the end of January I finally made it to the end of the Wales Coastal Path (virtually) 870 miles done. I chose to walk the last leg of the journey and finish at the Clock Tower at Roath Park. The weather decided to commemorate the occasion with a flurry of snow, it did all feel quite special.
My challenge journey continues with a trip along Route 66 and in February a team of us are collating our mileage for a 28 days around the world challenge.
I was hopeful, of a place in the 2021 London marathon and on the 8 February I found out I have a place! This is incredible and gives me something to aim for as the year continues.
One thing I do know, the link between Physical activity and improved Mental health is huge. My name is Nic, I am a 50+ plodder, an Ambassador for Movember….and a Marathon Runner.