Tell us a bit about yourself Joanne I’m 47, married and mother to four children aged 14-20. I’m currently working as an administrator for the NHS. I don’t enjoy it but until I find something more fulfilling it’ll have to do! I am @girlwotruns on Twitter and you can also find me on Facebook.
Do your children enjoy exercise? Are they doing enough? Sometimes we have to nurture a love of exercise in our little ones. The current activity guidelines for children age 5 to 18 are that they need to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. This should be of moderate to vigorous intensity so needs to be something that gets their heart racing and makes them out of breath. On three days a week this should include an activity that strengthens muscles and bones. Under 5s should be active for at least 180 minutes a day but this can include lighter activities too. Have a look here for the NHS guidelines and suggestions about how to achieve this.
When I became a runner I found my eyes drawn to people’s feet to check out their trainers. A similar thing happened when I was shopping for my first pushchair. Suddenly they’re everywhere and you become acutely aware of the diversity; the colours, the models and the matching accessories. The choice can feel overwhelming.
I lined up for my first marathon in London in 2013, nervous but excited. I was well prepared and I was confident I could finish. I was very well aware however that my journey to the start line did not begin at week 1 on my training plan 16 weeks previously. No, it began in 1967 when a lady called Kathrine Switzer shivered on the start line in Boston in her baggy grey tracksuit.