Helen Morris
“I was the overweight girl at senior school who had the best excuses for avoiding games lessons! The one who was the last to be picked for a team!
I discovered exercise after having my two children, I joined Lichfield Health and fitness in the late 80’s and soon became proficient in step aerobics and general fitness classes. After moving back to Sutton I joined Sebastian Coe club at Penns Hotel and carried on with the classes. A few friends I had made told me that they went for a short run before the step class on a Sunday and did I want to join them?
I think my first run was about a mile and I couldn’t breathe! I gradually progressed and joined the original Sally Ellis running club. We used to meet at her house in Grosvenor close and run around that area, we later met at Wyndley Swimming baths.
My running improved and my highlight was the Great North Run in 1998 which I completed in 2hrs 3 mins. I remember being disappointed with this time, I’d love to do that now!! I used to compete in the Sutton Fun Run each year and various other local runs.
Life got in the way and I stopped running with Sally and used to occasionally run on my own and the annual GMFR in the Cookes team and eventually pushing a hospital bed round for Spire!l
In 2016 I was watching my stepson running the GMFR as I wasn’t fit enough to run, I remember saying to Steve that I had to get back into running and the only way that would happen was to re-join SE Fitness! I joined in the June and gradually clawed my way back to some fitness, I was very embarrassed to fall on my first run with Run Fit 2!
Re-joining SE was the best thing I could have done, I really enjoy the running and I have made some very special friends. I have completed 3 further half marathons, London Landmarks, Palma and Liverpool Rock and Roll.
It has always been my dream to run a marathon and to be honest I had given up all hope of ever achieving this but I have been inspired by others at the club and have entered the New York Marathon in my 60th year!”
Helyn says: “Loving the Sally’s striders from back in the day! This won’t be the last we hear from Helen as I’ve asked her to keep us updated on her road to NYC.”