I was inspired to start running properly after doing my first ever parkrun while volunteering in Australia in 2019 and loving the community feel! On moving back to the UK, I set myself the target of being able to run 5km continuously - running laps and laps around Birchmere lake for this. From then on, I went to as many parkruns as I could and well and truly caught the running bug. As I wanted to build up to longer distances, I realised I would feel better motivated as part of a group/club - that's when I discovered TRC. The club were so welcoming, with run leaders and fellow members encouraging me to sign up for my half marathon, The Big Half, in March 2020 - something I never thought I'd be able to do! Since then, I've completed 4 half marathons and multiple 5km and 10km road and trail races (including a stint in the middle where I broke my collarbone...and then my ankle!) The club and running has been such an integral part to my health and wellbeing, that I decided to become a run leader in 2021 to give back to my local community and help promote inclusion and representation in the sport. Through this, one of my proudest achievements is heading up our Beginners Running Group and coaching over 50 participants to secure their first 5km. As well as being club secretary I'm also run leader for GoodGym Greenwich, and coming full circle, a founding member and run director at Charlton parkrun. One of my favourite things about all of this is getting to meet new people and support them in achieving their own amazing goals.