NICOLA UNSWORTH & KATH HOYER
I BLAME YOU BOTH BUT MOSTLY NICOLA!!!!
When Nicola started to work with me in 2005 little did I
know what lay ahead? I had just returned from Maternity Leave having had
my first little one Matthew. Like many new mums I had not entirely lost
the excess baby weight and was feeling fat and frumpy. “Join the Gym” said Nicola, “I go you'll really enjoy it”. I have always exercised, having
done Taekwondo for nearly 20 years and now unable to get to regular
classes I realised I needed to do something as I was fast turning into a couch
potato.
Off to the gym I
went where I would regularly bump into Nicola. “Come to combat, come spinning, body pump is
really good”. Little did I realise that she meant all three classes in
a row!!!
I had my second baby Maisie in 2007. This time is was harder to
be motivated and get back to the gym. I hadn't had a full nights sleep for 18
months and could no longer make the classes I'd previously enjoyed.
Returning to work Nicola said “Oh
just get your trainers on and go for a run”. At first I was very
reluctant to even consider running. I had managed the occasional cross country
outing at school, but I hadn't run outside for over 20 years.
We'll see, I thought, laughing; perhaps the gym
would be a safer option. I did eventually put on my trainers in July 2008. It
was a light and sunny evening.
My first thought wasn't where I was going, but would
anyone see me, even worse would they recognise me!
Initially I huffed and puffed my way around
My aim was to run
the
I made the unfortunate mistake of actually telling Nicola I had been for
a 'jog'. “I've joined a running club”,
she told me. I should just have walked away! Nicola told me all about Wesham
and that Kath Hoyer, (who'd started to work with the team when I was on Maternity
Leave), was also a member. There was my second mistake. I happened to
mention to Kath that I had been out 'jogging'. Kath said, “You should come and join us”. At
first I refused, but would keep Kath and Nicola updated on my
progress.
When I eventually
managed to run 6 miles I was really pleased and felt I had reached my first
goal. I would be able to complete the Blackpool Fun Run at least.
I also met Peter Earnshaw (or should I say 'Mr' Earnshaw), who
had the scary experience of being one of my teachers at secondary school. I
think I sponsored him 50p and a Wham bar when he ran the London
Marathon years ago.
The next day Nicola accosted me, and race entry forms started to
mysteriously appear on my desk. Nicola has practically forced me to enter my
first 10k, 10 mile and Half Marathon.
With the help of Kath
she even bought me my
My best race to date has been the
Don't make something which is clearly going to be
painful for us amateurs sound like fun!
However, on a more serious note I do enjoy running. I've met lots of
really nice and funny (Mike 'Robert' Walsh - yes you! and a number of
others), at the club.
I’m always surprised at the support everyone gives
to one another at races. I know that I'm not the fastest but it's a good way to
stay fit and healthy. I keep plodding on, whilst Nicola and Kath
keep bullying me into entering more races.
I didn't manage the Blackpool Fun Run I was injured, (I made my hubbie
run it instead), but I did take part in the Great North Run, (with much
support from my hubbie - bless him he puts up with a lot) and managed to raise
over £650 for the Alzheimer’s Society, so my running escapades have
helped others.
God knows what Nicola will rope me into next
year!!! I just hope she just doesn't start swimming with sharks!
Written by: Sharon Cooper xx
Submitted: 5th February 2010
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor