Return to running success for Moya
"I am so pleased to have returned to running a sub 5 km again!"
Achieve the unthinkable
Meet Moya. Moya joined our beginners 0-5 km group last September with fellow runner Claire. A small group but all the better for these two return to running ladies.
Moya had struggled with her knees for a while and we focused on good technique, posture and pacing.
In and out of lockdowns and restrictions Moya had flicked from the 1-2-2 group sessions to 1-2-1 and faced some tough hills and intervals to build up a good solid base of strength to hold the pace that she so longed to return to.
After 12 weeks of specific 1-2-1 training before group sessions could return she finally reaped the benefits of all her hard work by hitting that dream sub 5 km once more.
A real story of perseverance, trust and hard work.
We continue to work together with a mix of group runs with Claire & 1-2-1 and I am forever hopeful that 10 km goal is just around the corner for our Moya.
In her own words here’s her story of her journey back to running…
“Today was a good day. I ran 6K – most of it pain free ? – and I ran my fasted 5k in over 4 years! Having spent the past 4 years trying to come back from injury caused by over training for a half marathon in 2017, attempting and failing the couch to 5K on numerous occasions and feeling very despondent about it all I thought maybe my running days were over.
Then, whilst on holiday last August in a brief respite from lockdown, I saw an advert for an Elite Conditioning 0-5K running group in a Barnes Event email. I thought maybe I’d give it one more try to see if I could get back to my old running self with the help of a group and a coach.
Well the group turned out to be just 2 of us and so I was a little hesitant at first as I couldn’t therefore “lose myself” in the group. I almost pulled out but Karen persuaded me not to and I can honestly say it was the best thing I’ve done.
With Karen’s continued support and motivation, and the camaraderie of the group, yes even just the 2 of us, I kept going long after I would have given up before. So finally, 6 months later, after a cortisone injection, a few painful sports therapy massages and some, quite frankly, gruelling hill training sessions I am able to run a 30 minute 5K again – and I feel fantastic. I may never get back to half marathons, or even 10Ks but the way I felt today after running just 5K and seeing that time was amazing. I feel I can truthfully say “I’m a runner” again and that means the world to me.
And without Karen, and the “group” support I would never have done it.”
In our little whats app group with just the 3 of us in it, Moya followed saying “You both have been brilliant. You are a fantastic coach Karen and counsellor- really we get such a good deal. Fitness and head therapy in one !!”
I look forward to the next 6 weeks of training and hoping we can capture a picture of Moya actually running those hills this time rather than recovering from a hills.
#achievetheunthinkable