I asked our 10 year award winner Michelle Waterworth if she’d like to be part of our Getting to know you series. Some fab photos of Michelle at parkrun and completing the SE Fitness Vest Challenge. Also one she appears to have dug out of the archives of us all looking slightly younger at Fradley 10K!
Getting to know … Michelle Waterworth
I started running when I got roped into entering the Sutton Fun run with some work colleagues. I tried to train on my own but I will admit it wasn’t a huge success but I found that I enjoyed being out in the park. I then came across an advert for SE Fitness and as my son was just about to start school I thought why not join. It will give me a chance to get fit and also have some me time back. So I made the first big step and contacted Sally Ellis and joined SE Fitness much to my husband’s amusement who announced “A running club, but you hate running, you’ll never last”, that made me even more determined to prove him wrong. I came to my first session and although it was hard going I loved it. I have now been part of SE Fitness for 10 years and I really loved going home with my certificate and waving it in front of my husband and he said I wouldn’t last.
What does running do for you?
Running means a chance to have some me time, time out from being a mom and a wife, time out from busy work schedules and a chance to clear my mind whilst enjoying the beautiful park surroundings and of course having a chat with the amazing friends I have made over the years.
Mornings are my favourite time to run and I love both road and trail running. I prefer running in the spring, conditions are slightly on the cooler side. I’m not a fan of running in the stifling summer heat.
What’s your plan for the future
I plan to just keep on running for enjoyment, no mad events for me this year but I will keep setting myself small goals
Do you have a favourite event / walk to recommend?
I do like the fun run, although it is a hard course the support along the route is fantastic and the feeling you get running down the parade to the finish line with the crowds cheering you on is wonderful
What’s your top tip?
My top tip is ask yourself why you want to run, set yourself a realistic goal and then break that down into smaller achievements. Don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad run, it happens to us all, just put that run to one side and forget about it. When first starting out don’t worry if you are at the back of the group and are not as fast as the rest, concentrate on you and what you want to achieve. We were all beginners once and everyone at SE Fitness will offer support, encouragement and a friendly smile. Finally break yourself in gently don’t do too many sessions or increase your mileage too quickly when you start out. I combine my weekly running session with another forms of exercise such as spin, boxing and weightlifting.