About

My name is Stephanie Crick and along with my husband Eden, i love running! I’ve been into running for some time now and my husband has only just started. He complained that he never saw me when I was training for races, so he became my running partner!

We now run 3 times per week and because my husband likes to strength train we hit the gym twice a week too.

We’ve both lost loads of weight due to running and our overall fitness has increased no end.

It can be difficult to get out running this time of year so both I and Eden have joined a running club. We really enjoy running in a group and it helps motivation too. Eden has been running for around 4 months now and feels he has deserved his first proper running clothes! We’ve invested in some tights and tops that allow the skin to breathe called clima cool, any sweat is wicked away from the skin into the air leaving you warm in winter and cool in summer. Eden has also had a gait analysis done so he knows exactly what trainers he should be wearing. The new clothes have really helped his confidence and more importantly, he is now always comfortable when he runs.

Now we have all the gear there is no stopping us! We are running further and faster and Eden has improved no end. In just four months he has gone from running over 12 minute miles to under 10. Sometimes we run in the gym on the treadmill to escape the weather and hard pavements. Treadmills have softer impact on your feet and body and you will possibly find that you can run faster. I get a real buzz on the treadmill as all I have to do is run, there are no obstacles or pedestrians to dodge and best of all no rain and wind. I get a real high as I can run much faster. Its great listening to a kicking playlist on the ipod!

Running really helps us forget our problems. It is a real distraction as when you are running it is really hard to dwell on the stresses of the day. The endorphins kick in and can really help reduce stress and feeling low. If ever I feel depressed I know that all I have to do is step onto the treadmill and after ten minutes I feel better. Half an hour later, what low mood?

Eden and I run at a gym where it’s pay as you go. Alot of the university or college gyms are pay as you go and quite cheap too. My local college gym charges non-students £1.5o so it’s much cheaper than drowning your sorrows in the pub!

We are planning some races for next year so will keep you posted on how our training is going. Our best times for running is after work at around 6pm. We are both at our best in the evening and running really finishes off our day. Once we return and shower we really feel that we have achieved something and our sleep has improved no end.

We always wash our running tights in delicate washing flakes, normal washing powder may leave a residue and can result in itching while you are out. Eden was itching his leg whilst running around a field one day and fell over a tent peg that was jutting out of the earth. Experiment with running clothes and you will find the ones that suit you best. If you buy them in sales it won’t cost much if you find some better than others. It really is best if you try clothes and especially trainers on in store before you buy. Running shops are more specialised than more generic sports shops as their staff are usually experienced runners. Often running shops have their own running groups and offer their members a discount on clothes. Running groups are free and a good way to make friends who can offer invaluable advice on running. They are for everyone and will always ensure that the slower runners are accompanied at all times. This is especially important on dark winter nights. No one ever complains about running slower with Eden while I run ahead and this means that he can develop at his own pace without trying to keep up with the more experienced runners. Running group members really do want you to enjoy running and to keep coming back so we can all motivate each other! Eden really enjoys running with the group once a week and feels every much a runner as even the fastest there. Everyone there notices how well he is doing and tell him regularly. This really boosts his confidence and he knows that soon he will be running faster and further and giving advice of his own to newcomers!

There really is nothing like running to keep you fit, healthy and feeling good about yourself. Right, now how to start running?