FEBRUARY FOCUS – GET ACTIVE

A new year so often means new resolutions – which let’s face it are nearly always broken rather than kept! The pressure to make a strong start often brings them crumbling down. Small and realistic targets are instead usually the key to success boosting motivation and longevity of purpose.

A study by University College London found that exercising three times a week can lower the risk of depression by 16%. It is also said to help empower, increase focus, build confidence, release stress and aid sleep – so what’s not to love? Running is one of the most popular physical activities with over 10.5 million runners in the UK and that number continues to increase in part due to the success of Park Run.

IMAGE BY VAL LOVATT – FEMME SPORTS

‘The face of Park Run is a lady called Dawn Nisbet’. Dawn’s picture went viral last year– an image that spoke a thousand words and inspired many.

A positive, encouraging and thoughtful woman Dawn’s running story started in 2016 when a very close family friend was diagnosed with cancer – feeling powerless she decided to sign up to the Pretty Muddy Race for Life, as her way of offering help and support. Dawn completed this race in the July of 2016 and she hasn’t stopped there. Directed to Park Run by one of her work colleagues you could say the rest is history.

The famous image that has inspired so many was taken at Dawn’s 6th Park Run. Since then she has continued to challenge herself by running a total of 500k in the 12 months of 2017 and she is currently participating in RED (RUN EVERY DAY) January – helping to raise funds for Cancer Research UK and Dementia Research UK.
Dawn’s act of compassion and kindness led her to find not just a new love of running but a new love for herself.

WHAT DAWN HAS TO SAY 

“Finding a love of running and pride in myself has totally transformed how I live my life as well as my perception of myself. I no longer see someone I’m not proud of who can’t do things, I see a strong and determined woman who is doing what she loves. I’d love to encourage anyone out there considering increasing their physical activity to be brave and give it a go. Start slow and with realistic goals and before long you will smash those goals and be looking to bigger and better things. Above all be proud of yourself, be kind to yourself and have fun.” – Dawn Nesbit

Read Dawns full story here.

Park Run is a great place to get your running started and here’s why:

• There are so many locations that there will be one near you

• It’s 9am every Saturday morning (convenient and a reasonable hour)

• The band scanning system makes it easy to follow your progress

• It’s great place to get social, build new friendships and feel part of something good

• The volunteers and marshals are fantastic support and always on hand to help and encourage

• Everyone can participate, so it’s a great activity to do with children getting them outdoors and spending some quality time together

To find out more about Park Run visit them here http://www.parkrun.org.uk/

See below a list of useful websites and blogs that offer further information and advice.

1. THIS MUM RUNS

http://www.thismumruns.co.uk/runnerfullstop

2. TIME OUTDOORS

https://www.timeoutdoors.com/clubs/running-clubs?rid=26&v=1

3. THE RUNNING BLOG 

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog

4. FULLSTRIDE

http://www.fullstride.co.uk/

5. THE RUNNING BUG

https://therunningbug.com/