Anne Parker started running with us in January 2011. I asked her how and why she came to join us:
‘Last November I took the decision to stop SMOKING for health reasons, this was a must. I was relying on inhalers and my lung function was poor.
As the days turned into weeks it became a lot easier and the craving stopped. My sister in law had read Sally’s ‘Fitness Matters’ column in the Sutton Observer and suggested we join the beginners running group! My first thought was me running you must be joking, I get out of breath walking up the stairs. I had noticed though that my general health and breathing had been a lot better since giving up cigarettes. After a lot of persuasion on my part we joined the group at the beginning of January. We arrived at Wyndley leisure centre feeling very apprehensive but everyone was so friendly we were soon put at ease.
Our first run was round the track at Wyndley I think I ran a quarter of the way round before having to stop and get my breath back thinking what am I doing! But I carried on and after some warming up exercises we progressed into the park. We were all soon running at our own pace and stopping when we needed to, all too soon we were back at Wyndley and I felt a real sense of achievement already looking forward to the next session.
We were all improving on a weekly basis and soon I was running twice a week! My general fitness has improved greatly and you get a real buzz running with a like minded group of people all encouraging each other.
I have now finished the twelve week course and progressed to group two something I would never have thought possible as a smoker. If I can do this anyone can give it a try I guarantee you will be hooked!