Getting to know… our regular Run Fitness Leader Helen Hodgkiss
I have always loved sport and played various things when I was younger, netball, hockey, tennis but a torn knee ligament in my early twenties put a stop to things and I was quite inactive for a few years, the odd aerobic or step class didn’t really inspire me. I had many a gym membership but never really got the bug.
I’d always admired runners, thought how lovely it must be to get out and run but memories of school cross country put me off even trying.
I caught the running bug quite by accident! My older daughter needed to find a sport she could progress in for her Duke of Edinburgh award and she chose running. We joined SE Fitness, the walk to run group and so we progressed, and I loved it!
My daughter dropped it like a hot brick as soon as she’d achieved what she needed to, I on the other hand was hooked and SE Fitness and running became my regular exercise and my life is better for it!
Being surrounded by such friendly, like minded and motivational people is a joy.
I became a leader a couple of years later, partly so I was committed and couldn’t stop but I get so much pleasure out of it and really love seeing people improve.
I have been running about 7 years now and definitely prefer winter running in our lovely park with Bracebridge being my favourite route.
I hope to continue running as long as I’m fit and still enjoying it.
I do enter events but get nervous and never really run as well as I can, being naturally competitive this drove me mad but I seem to have got over this now and just try and enjoy it.
Although running is a very individual sport the pluses of group running are amazing.
I love running with people, the chat, the laughing, the moaning and the hard earned cup of coffee after!