If you caught Part 1 you’ll know that this series of shorts blogs approaches starting running from a bit of a different standpoint. (Pun very much intended!).

Part 1 focused on getting really clear about our real reasons for wanting to start a running habit, in part 2 we explore what has stopped us from starting in the past, the things that have derailed previous attempts so that we can make the path to success sooooo much smoother.

Are you prepared to be really honest with yourself?

Note down all the reasons AND EXCUSES (you know which are which!) that have prevented you from developing a running habit in the past.

The purpose of writing these down is to uncover clues about where we really need to start with building our running habit. In the days to come you may be surprised to learn that the first step in your running journey is actually something that seems totally unconnected to your desired end goal….trust the process when those doubts pop up.

Sit with your list over the course of a few hours or even days and add to it as things come to mind.

There will be some things on the list that you might feel embarrassed about or question why you can’t seem to get over the barrier. This is 100% to be expected and is shared by almost all people, if not in relation to running, then certainly about another healthy habit that is proving challenging to embed.

Finding a way to overcome these things on your list is at the heart of priming you for success this time around.

As always, you can get me at connect@clubsynergy.co.uk with any questions.

See you for part 3 soon,

Kelly

As a new runner, how many times have you been a mile from home and completely lost your mojo…?

Whether you are a new to running or a seasoned marathoner, sometimes you need to do something to get you home and silence the mind chatter that is trying to convince you that you can’t possibly take one more step.

This week the tips are far from scientifically proven, they are just things I do to help make that last mile manageable, assuming of course that injury is not the cause of your pause!

1. I think about my dad, a very sporty man before being diagnosed with MS. His condition means he can barely walk, never mind run. I remind myself that I have the luxury of being able to run. That usually gives me the kick up the backside I need to stop feeling sorry for myself.

2. I choose a particular flower or colour of car and imagine that every time I pass that particular flower or car, it’s beaming energy to me. I picture the energy flowing in from my feet up, making my legs feel lighter.

3. I imagine that I’m just starting out on my run, picture myself leaving my front door full of energy and looking forward to my run and break into a big SMILE. Your mind doesn’t know the difference between the real and the imagined so you can fool it into believing that the previous miles didn’t exist!

4. I give myself permission to adopt a run/walk strategy. Often as runners we beat ourselves up for not running the WHOLE way. By relaxing this attitude, and say running for 2 mins, walking for a minute I’m home before I know it and the pace for the last mile is often surprisingly on a par with the one immediately before stopping. This strategy, known as “Jeffing” has worked well for me in completing marathons too.

What running tips do you rely on to get you to the finish line?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Kelly

It’s an overused word, but I am passionate about the impact of exercise on physical AND mental well-being.

I became a runner in later life.  For a long time, I was reluctant to even use the word runner to describe myself (a bit rich for someone who makes a living from helping business owners to smash their limiting beliefs!)

It is often said that running finds you and this was the case for me. In 2006, I was a lone parent to three daughters, trying to make enough money through my small learning and development consultancy to put food on the table. This was in stark contrast to my early years in business which, given the household income at the time, was truly a “lifestyle” one. Perhaps rather ironically, while I wasn’t worried about money, work flooded in and I could pick and choose projects.

A change of circumstances and I HAD to make my business work…

Once money, or rather lack of, came strongly into focus for me, work began to dry up. I was transmitting an air of desperation, cutting my fees to secure work, and grabbing anything available.  The result – a frazzled, broke, joyless mum and business owner.

I discovered the power of exercise as a “reluctant” runner…

In 2006 I was challenged to enter the Women’s 10K by my youngest daughter’s nursery teacher and help her raise funds for The Beatson – our local cancer treatment facility.  Her mum had died earlier in the year and she wanted to do something to thank the centre.  As someone who was always last picked for games in PE and who struggled to run after three lively young children, this was a significant ask of me.  But who can refuse a request like that?

That day my life changed for the better.  As I started training for the 10k, I discovered something that drives the Club Synergy model today.  At the time, I didn’t know what was happening at a neurological level, I just knew that the headspace and me-time I was gaining while out running was having an amazing effect on me. Positively impacting focus, productivity, creativity and ultimately my personal and business fitness. This allowed me to ditch the guilt I had been carrying about taking time out for myself.  

Talking to people about the positive impact of running on my mind, body and business led to the creation of an activity-based charity in 2012…and a new husband!

Running changed my life and lives of thousands of others through the 5x50 Challenge…

The 5x50 Challenge was undertaken by thousands of people across the globe and raised £250,000 for various charities. Mark, now my husband, got a 4 for the price of 1 bundle and a shed! 

Over 20 years of supporting overwhelmed, over-committed business owners and professionals

For 7 years my learning and development business, a personal commitment to exercise and developing the charity existed side by side until in September 2019 we had to take the difficult and upsetting decision to bring the 5x50 Challenge to an end. That provided a great business learning experience you can ask me about later!

Perhaps unsurprisingly, while out for a run as we were winding down the Charity, my mind connected a few dots and the Club Synergy concept was born.

• I had been a frazzled business owner, largely unfrazzled by a commitment to exercise

• I have coached many frazzled business owners and professionals and shared insights about the power of exercise

• I love exercise and the outdoors

• I love connecting people

• I understand the positive impact of exercise on the brain, body and business

Why not combine all the above and offer networking and coaching on the move?