Last week we introduced you to the Llanelli AC / DW running group, and were fortunate enough to hear some of their members’ stories about why they run and how they got started. Katy, a regular member of the group tells us her story and all about why she loves running:
“My reasons for running are: I’ve got a big birthday coming up next year and I wanted to be fit at 40, not fat at 40! Still a way to go but already losing weight, toning up and feeling so much healthier. I also wanted to do something for me. I’ve two young children, work full time in a busy, stressful job and wasn’t doing anything for me.
Running gives me a break, makes me feel better about myself and feels so good for my mind and soul. I’ve done bits of running on my own but never got further than couch to 5K. I’ve been talking about wanting to do a 10k, dreaming of doing a half marathon but never doing anything about it. Now I’m running 10k and have signed up for the Cardiff Half Marathon!
None of my close friends are really able to run for different health reasons so I joined the beginners’ group at Llanelli AC. Arriving for the first session was extremely nerve racking, but the group couldn’t have been any more welcoming. The progress I’ve made in a few weeks is largely down to support from the club, the core group of beginners and in particular our Run Leader, Rob Campion. He is so patient, encouraging, willing to answer my seemingly silly questions all the time and even made sure I made it to the finish line on my first 10k race by running the last section with me.
I well and truly have the running bug. I love doing it, talking about it and reading about it! My husband says I’m becoming a running bore…but I love it!”