October 2nd 2024.
I first discovered my love for running back in secondary school in Tonbridge, England. My PE teacher, Miss Page, took me under her wing and became my mentor. I wasn't a very academic student, but I had a natural talent for running and Miss Page saw that potential in me. She's still my friend to this day, and I am forever grateful for her guidance.
Years later, I found myself running in South Africa under the bright sunshine and big blue sky. It was a 5km parkrun at Zandvlei, and I was surrounded by people of all ages and backgrounds. It was a beautiful experience and I couldn't help but think to myself, "This is perfect." As part of my mini project to run parkruns in places starting with every letter of the alphabet, I could now cross off "Z."
In June of this year, I crossed off "Y" for York, a place I had previously been stationed in during my time in the Army. I have completed most of the alphabet, but since there is no "X," I will count my parkrun in Exeter instead.
You may be surprised to learn that even as a double Olympic gold medalist, I almost fell out of love with running. It wasn't until I discovered parkrun that I fell back in love with the sport. Running was my passion from a young age, and I always knew I wanted to be an Olympic champion after watching the Games on TV at the age of 14. Miss Page encouraged my mother to take me to the local athletics club, and from then on, I was hooked. I was dedicated to my fitness, riding my bike to school, to the track, and back home three times a week.
I won my first English Schools Championships at the age of 13 and my last at 17. I was selected as a junior international athlete and even won gold at the mini Youth Olympic Games in Holland for the 800m when I was 17. But my passion for running was put on hold when I joined the British Army at 18. I did continue to run for the Army, and they even encouraged me to compete in the main UK championships, which I ended up winning. It reignited my dream to be an Olympian, and at the age of 24, I won my first international medal at the Commonwealth Games. Two weeks later, I won the European Silver medal.
However, trying to juggle my military career and my athletic career became challenging. I ended up using my Army leave to compete for Great Britain. After winning two World Championship medals, I had high hopes of winning my first Olympic medal at the age of 26. Unfortunately, I ended up getting a stress fracture and came in fourth place. It was then that I knew I had to leave the military to become a full-time athlete. I was a lot older than the athletes who were winning in their 20s, but it was the right time for me.
After retiring from the sport, I experienced a sense of identity crisis and loss of purpose. I had already been through a breakdown in 2003, and with the sudden passing of someone I knew after retiring, I questioned why I was putting myself through all of this. I had achieved my dream of winning two Olympic gold medals, and I had been through hell and back with injuries and training. It was time for me to move on and find my new purpose.
I stumbled upon parkrun when I was training for the London Marathon in 2016. I was immediately drawn to the concept of bringing people together from all over the world to run 5km on a Saturday morning, regardless of their fitness level or background. It was more than just a run; it was a community, and I loved being a part of it. For me, running is not just about physical fitness, but it also supports my mental health. As I get older and go through the perimenopause, I have noticed more aches and pains. Doing parkruns and taking Ancient and Brave collagen has helped me both physically and mentally.
I may be a double Olympic gold medalist, but I no longer train to go fast. I do it to stay fit and healthy. Sometimes, when I show up to a parkrun, people see it as their opportunity to race me. But most of the time, I just run at my own pace and enjoy the experience. Even I struggle with some of the races, like the time I did a parkrun in Plymouth while doing panto. The hills were tough, and I prefer flat races. But that's the beauty of parkrun; there's room for everyone, no matter their fitness level or preference.
The inclusivity of parkrun is what makes it so special. I would love to see even more people from diverse communities feel encouraged to join in. All you need are some good trainers and loose clothing to breathe properly. Register for a barcode on the website, and you can be your own competitor. Whether you're walking for your health, a young athlete in training, or just looking to be a part of a community, there's a place for you at parkrun.
As for my personal goal of doing a parkrun in places starting with every letter of the alphabet, I only have a few more to go, including "E." So Eastbourne, watch out, because I'm coming for you. Parkrun has been a significant part of my life, and I am grateful for the sense of community and purpose it has given me. I hope more people can experience the joy and inclusivity of parkrun, and I am excited to see where this partnership with Metro takes us.
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