TRAC Runners of the Month – April

April – C25K graduates take on a half marathon!

This month, we would like to call out and celebrate the progress of an inspiring group of runners who joined us over recent years via the C25K programme and have steadily built up their running to take on the challenge of a half marathon. In the recent London Landmarks Half marathon, a number of our club members made their half marathon debuts: Sandra Baldock, Cathy Beddoes, Lucy Hallett, Jacqui Jenkins, Carly Lines, Gary Pearse, Laura Thomas, Natalie Wilden, and Ela Wojciechowska.

It has been wonderful to see their determination, participation in club runs and above all, their encouragement and support for each other.

Please join us in congratulating them all on a great, new running achievement.

We asked each of them “What would you say to anyone thinking about starting running?”

Sandra Baldock:

C25K is the best decision I have ever made for my health. I joined at 55, having never run before. I wanted to get fitter, but didn’t like the gym. I completed the 9 weeks C25K 5 years ago and have just done my first half marathon, the LLHM.  It was an amazing achievement. It’s also great for my mental health. I’ve met some great friends and my partner through the club, and the social side of the club is also great. Everyone is so supportive of each other whatever their ability. I love my running family.    

Cathy Beddoes:

To anyone who is considering starting running I would say follow your heart and your instincts and go for it. Give yourself plenty of time for your body to adjust and as time goes along you will learn more about it and its responses. Joining the C25K for me has been a huge milestone and has been life changing. The best thing is, you never know how far it will take you along the road. I never would have believed I could do a half marathon back in 23. Onwards and upwards! Embrace a new skill and make lifelong friends.

Lucy Hallett:

Go for it! The running community is amazing and so supportive, it’s a great way to meet new people and gives such a boost to your mental and physical health. No matter the distance you always feel like you’ve achieved something and every step counts.

Carly Lines:

For anyone wishing to start running I would say do it . Not only is it a great sport but the support that  the amazing club  give you is truly remarkable and everyone is so friendly. Running is for all ages and Thanet road runners have proven that we are all one family so give it a try you won’t be disappointed, best thing I ever did .

Gary Pearse

The friendships, the encouragement, and when you need it, the support is amazing. Running, for me, is as much a social activity as a physical one. If you’re thinking of starting, do it, you won’t regret it.

Laura Thomas

I would say to anyone thinking about starting running to get up and go for it. The friendships I have made since doing TRAC C25K in 2019 have been marvellous! I never ran before joining and now I can say I have ran a half marathon. If I can do it anyone can!

Natalie Wilde

Running has been the greatest gift and has not only brought me better health and fitness but it has given me a family of the most inspiring, caring and loving people! The memories I have made in the year and a bit will be with me for life. I look forward to the memories yet to come. So I couldn’t recommend running more and what better way to do it than with a group of people who will support you every step of the way!

(See photo with Gary Pearse)

Ela Wojciechowska

After completing the Couch to 5K program, I felt an incredible sense of achievement and knew I wanted to keep going. I joined a local running club, Thanet Road Runners, where I found a supportive community and made some great friends who I can call my running family. Training with them kept me motivated and pushed me to aim higher. Together with a few of my club buddies, I recently ran the London Half Marathon, a milestone I never imagined when I first started. It was an unforgettable experience for us all and a proud moment in our running journey, showing just how far we’ve come.

Don’t overthink it, just put on some shoes and start running. You don’t need to be in perfect shape or have the best gear to begin. It’s all about building the habit and getting comfortable with the process. Joining a running club is a fantastic way to meet like-minded people. Everyone’s there to help each other out, which creates a supportive community vibe. There are definitely days when you won’t want to run. But having a club or a training buddy can help push you to get out there. The feeling after a run is always worth it, even if the run itself was tough.