Deanne tells of her journey from a non-runner to completing the 10K at Durham City Run.
I’ve heard it said before, and often thought that people can do anything they put their minds to. And yet I believed I couldn’t run. From what started as an attempt to improve my fitness through the couch to 5k, over two years on, I still surprise myself when I say I loved running the Durham City Run (10k).
Growing up, and to this day, I have always enjoyed sports. From dancing, tag rugby, netball, climbing, swimming, sailing, kayaking to hill walking, I have always enjoyed keeping active. However, whenever a sports day came up at school I would always shy away from the running elements. The thought of that all too familiar sharp stitch pulling me to the back of the class. I just couldn’t run.
Couch to 5K
However, back in 2019 I made the decision to start eating healthier and exercising. It wasn’t long after that most of us found ourselves working from home as a result of Covid-19.
Determined to stay motivated on my goal to improve my health and fitness I downloaded the ‘Couch to 5k’ app. I had heard about the app from friends and colleagues and with their recommendations in mind, I decided I had nothing to lose.
Week 1 of the ‘Couch to 5K’ I really wasn’t sold on the idea of running, seeing it as just 30 minutes, 3 times a week I needed to get through. But spirited on by the voice of Sarah Millican and joined by my dog for the first few weeks (I got too fast for her) I laughed my way through the weeks, genuinely surprised at my progress. I repeated a few weeks twice when the sessions felt tough, determined to achieve the app’s goal.
In just under three months, I reached the end of the programme and was jogging for 30 minutes at a time. I still couldn’t run 5k, but I was jogging for 30 minutes without a break. I still kept to the same route, looping around my home like a security blanket, so that if I wanted to stop at any time, I could. And yet a few weeks later I was staying out longer and jogging 5k.
Friendship
Then everything changed.
One morning when I was jogging my usual route, a woman greeted me. I was used to waving and the occasional good morning. But what followed was shockingly life-changing and unexpected.
“Excuse me I’m not a murderer, but I have seen you running this way and just wondered if I could join you?”
Fast-forward to now, and I finally see myself as a runner. From our first encounter, Hannah and I have become so much more than running buddies, I have found true friendship. Our morning runs around our city, are a sacred time where we talk openly about our lives, grounding us in the present and setting us both up for a great day ahead.
A few months ago, I took part in my first race, it felt so daunting to be running alongside ‘proper runners’. However, I had trained and was regularly running 10k several times a week, resulting in a new personal best, the run was an opportunity to further prove to myself: I am a runner.
A new challenge: Durham City Run
Why did the prospect of the Durham 10k make me question my ability?
Challenge, change, colleagues!
I am so grateful to my colleagues for arranging a work team to run the Durham 5k and 10k city run. It was a great opportunity to challenge myself to run with fellow colleagues, at a different time of day, in a new environment, and by our current extreme weather I don’t just mean location, it is such a warm summer for the UK.
During my training I went out on an evening run to see if this new time would affect my performance. I was certain that running at the end of the day, my energy levels and motivation would be low. While my mind still wandered, this was no different from a morning run. I was pleasantly surprised to find my pace little affected and my ready-for-the-day attitude very much present.
Unfortunately, the fortnight before the Durham City Run, I came down with Covid. The week of the race I faced the reality that ‘I can’t run’ might actually become true. However, midweek I was testing negative and on Thursday I managed to get out for a run.
On Friday 15 July, as I gathered with my colleagues in yellow at the racecourse I felt a sense of community, pride and excitement. We had decided to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and so a colleague had arranged us charity running vests. The atmosphere was intoxicating as I stood surrounded by fellow participants and my partner, as well as my dog whom I had started jogging with several years ago.
As the horn sounded the start of the race, thoughts of my running ability couldn’t have been further from my mind. With my favourite playlist on, I thoroughly enjoyed running towards, through and past the beautiful, majestic city of Durham. From its natural beauty to its architecture, the route took us on a journey running on field, path, Team Durham track, to road.
Along the way I enjoyed briefly talking to an academic colleague and making new acquaintances with fellow runners. Keeping pace with a few runners during the race we encouraged each other on, while the friendly marshals and crowds carried me towards the finish line.
I always find time passes so fast on a run and so with a bittersweet delight I crossed the finish line at 55.12 – it was all over!
As a team my colleagues and I have raised over £1,200 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust!
I met briefly with some colleagues at the finish line and in Durham where we held our medals with pride and put on our t-shirts. While I may not have gained a personal best, the ricochet effect and feelings I took with me into the weekend and beyond are indescribable.
In the words of a colleague: “Good to see you Friday by the way. I had no idea you were such a good runner!”
Looking back, only a few years ago I couldn’t run and was only attempting to improve my fitness levels, and now I have experienced running with my colleagues through one of the most beautiful cities. It just goes to show we really can do anything we put our minds to.
Written by D. W. Dutton
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