In March this year I launched our #TakeOneStep campaign. Although I could only choose two ladies to take part, I received so many emails from ladies who shared their stories with me. To read of battles with grief, chronic illness, domestic abuse, mental health, confidence and more and to see the lifeline These Girls Can Run has offered was completely overwhelming. As a thank you to them for being so brave, and with their permission I'm going to share their stories with you over the next few months. Prepare to be inspired!
Here is Carli's story:
"I've always been on the larger side but before I had my little boy five years ago it never really bothered me. When I was pregnant I ate everything in sight and I put on a lot of weight. I used to do Bootcamp and some cardio exercises but diet wise I loved all the wrong foods and my weight yo yo'd for years. I then found out I was pregnant with baby number two, and again the weight piled on. I had my little girl last July but still my weight kept going up and up. I turned 30 in October 2016 and I really wanted to do the Great North Run as it's on my bucket list. To be honest the most running I have done is to the ice cream van!
When I started telling people I was going to do it I felt like although they said good luck they didn't really believe I could do it. I was lucky enough to get a ballot place and decided to run for two charities, MS society and North East Homeless. I searched for a running group on Facebook in March and found These Girls Can Run. When I told my friends they laughed saying I had joined an elite running group.
I was so worried on my first run. None of my clothes fitted, I felt awful, fat and had zero confidence. I walked most of the first run and the second and the third. I cried after every run I felt like such a failure. My husband although supportive, told me to give up if it was upsetting me so much. I remember each time being at the back and Jamie, the Run Group Leader staying with me. She told me she believed in me and no-one had ever said that to me before.
So here I am plodding on. I'm not the fastest but I go four times a week and give it my best shot.The other ladies are lovely and I never feel like a failure anymore. I've made some lovely friends and at times we have a right giggle. In May I completed my first 10km in Sunderland and I've signed up to four more charity runs this year something I never thought would be possible. I have also just been accepted for the London Half Marathon next year oh and I've dropped a dress size! My motto is 'She believed she could so she did'
To follow Amy and Joanne on their running journey as they #TakeOneStep with #TGCR please subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA-QKm-XaAOxL_gd_q-ipCg
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