Colette's
Story

I took up running in my 40s having done no sport since my teenage years, I didn’t know there were any options for recreational sport for me as an adult woman and then I got caught up with bringing up my 3 girls and then combining that with being a full-time student nurse and then full-time nurse.  I have always been inspired by watching adventure and women’s sport.

Since I took up running and later, cycling, I recognise the benefit that partaking in sport brings to me.

The sense of well-being both physically and mentally.  Running, in particular, is my way of participating in mindfulness.

I didn’t see opportunities for myself to partake in sport.  Aside from the different types of classes you can take in a gym or village hall, there didn’t seem to be much else available.  Endurance running or even running is relatively new for women and even now in cycling events it is a predominantly male uptake.  In every sport there is a disparity in the amount of media coverage and prize for men and women, so the role models are few and our culture suggests that sport is only for a minority of women.

A colleague organised a half triathlon, all abilities welcomed, around the time of my 40^th birthday.

This was the first of my challenges to myself and I have never looked back.

I use motivational material of all kinds to keep me motivated but I always refer to women because I feel it is more relevant to me.

I tend to run alone and cycle with my husband so the coronavirus hasn’t had a big impact on the way I exercise.  The only down side to getting active during this period has been that I’ve had to stick to the same local routes.