I’ve achieved all of this because of Brody really. As well as being my inspiration he’s kind of my wee trainer - he was asking me if I’d been practising to get faster and asking if I want to borrow his dad’s trainers, because they’re go fast trainers! Part of my reason for getting fit was also that I felt if I wasn’t healthy I couldn’t help my daughter, and I’ve got more life and energy now than I’ve ever had. Although he gets tired, Brody is amazing, he just carries on. I did the Whitley Bay junior parkrun with him and we got halfway along the prom and I said: “We can just run back if you want,” and he said: “No, you’ve got to finish if you’ve started.” He’s just amazing. I’m hoping to do a big run when his three year course of treatment is completed in January 2016. Taking up running has totally changed the way I think about everything. I can’t believe how it’s changed me, even down to the fact that I find myself getting excited about shopping for running kit more than regular clothes! If I feel stressed or something bothers me, I would previously eat, and now I go for a run instead. I’ve managed to lose and keep off that extra three stone and now I ‘eat to run’. I can’t get over how supportive other runners are. I was always one of those people who thought running was bad for your knees and was boring - I wouldn’t have believed that I’d take to it.
I never thought when I made that promise to Brody how much running would change my life. It’s definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Inspiration - Rona Perkins 15
Over the months more people have joined and now there are 15 of us of all ages and running experience. We have such a laugh and support and encourage each other both at our sessions and on our facebook page. John mixes up our sessions and routes so every week is different. Sometimes it’s just a run and other times it can include hill work or speed intervals. I really enjoy the variety. I am so pleased that I went along to that very first jogscotland session as it has completely changed my life.