I started running in 2011 having joined a gym and stepped on the treadmill for the first time. After getting fed up pounding away a 3-mile run staring at the same view I decided to start running outside and never looked back. I did my first parkrun in 2018 and a year later in search of my improving my PB and beating my latest parkrun nemesis I made another great decision for my health and quit smoking. During the first lockdown and having time to run most days, I joined TRC and enjoyed doing the virtual sessions and challenges they set which made me run further and more often. Once we were able to return to regular sessions my running continued to improve as did my distance and I completed my first half marathon in 2021. I have since gone on to run a number of 10k and half marathon events including The Big Half, The Hackney Half & 4 Castles Challenge. Last year I became a run leader and enjoy taking my own sessions to help others achieve their goals or just to go for a run, have fun and a chat. I am also one of the welfare officers for the club. My latest challenge I am proud to say, is to head up our Beginners Group in 2024 and really look forward to seeing our new and returning runners progress over the coming weeks as indeed my own development as a run leader.