I was introduced to I Can Run by Emma Talbot when she participated in an ‘Inspirational Women’ guest session at my WI in 2017. She was so passionate that all women regardless of age, ability and size should have the opportunity to run. That night my perception was changed - running was not about being the best, or the fastest, but simply just getting out there and enjoying running. Shortly after this I enrolled in the 6-week beginners’ class. I was excited but at 57 I was also feeling a little apprehensive - am I too old? Have I left it too late? Emma and the leaders soon put me at ease, there ..read more

My health and fitness journey has been a rollercoaster for most of my adult life. I have always been sporty, playing football since I was about 7 to a fairly high standard, however I have rarely been “fit”, mostly relying on willpower and determination to carry me through games! I love the feeling when I am fit, but I have been plagued with injuries, life events, and to be completely honest – many periods of laziness! During my fitter periods I got into running, doing regular 10k races and muddy/charity events.  For me, running is a release from the stresses of everyday life, and the atmo ..read more

Looking forward to running with others? Most of us are. After all, it’s been months since people could train with their friends! For so many mums and dads the demands of home schooling and children at home have made regular runs impossible. But for some this has been an opportunity: the chance to be more active and take up running for the first time. But hopefully it won’t now be long before we can all go out for our first run in ages with a group of friends, run our first race in months, or – perhaps – enjoy a Park Run for the first time. With warmer weather just around the corner, everything ..read more

In 2019, I decided, as I was going to be 50 next year, I should do something special. Why don’t I run 50km in my 50th year I thought! The Stour Valley Path (SVP) 50km ultra run is on my doorstep so I signed up. I bought a pair of trail trainers in January in preparation, and had a half marathon booked in May, so I started training for that with the expectation that this would all form part of my SVP preparation.  All was going well for a couple of months and then COVID hit. The half marathon was cancelled – having expected this, my training had not been particularly good since March anywa ..read more

The London Marathon. Those words are so iconic that everyone around the world knows what they mean, even if they aren’t a runner. Usually you’ll know someone who has taken part. I never dreamed in a million years I’d say ‘I’ve run the London Marathon’, but here I am, having run it three times now. Funnily enough I hated sports growing up. My Dad was a triathlete, with a very impression 5.45 minute mile at his peak. He’s also a Geordie, and ran the iconic Great North Run in his hometown but that was the furthest he would ever run. I always admired me Dad, we’re like two peas in a pod, but the ..read more

Hi, I’m Rachael, one of the run leaders from the Felixstowe group. I’ve been running with ICR for almost 4 years now and have been a run leader for the last 12 months. When ICR celebrated its birthday in September 2020, it got me thinking about how being a part of this fabulous group has impacted my life over the last 4 years. I’ve never been a sporty girl, and although I’ve dabbled with exercise over the years nothing ever stuck. I spent most of my adult life as a smoker and a drinker. The closest I ever got to a cardio workout was those nights on the dancefloor in town on a Saturday night. I ..read more

How long have you been running with ICR? I started doing parkrun in 2015 but wanted to do more and was finding it hard to motivate myself to go running alone. I saw ICR on Facebook and decided to give it a go. I started running with ICR in October 2017 and did my first 10k in February 2018 - I would never have had the confidence or belief to do that on my own. I was very unfit and started running initially because my husband did parkrun and was encouraging me to go along. I soon found I really liked it (well, mostly!). How does running make you feel? Running gives me a sense of achievement an ..read more

My running journey began in May 2017 after taking part in a charity fun run and realising how incredibly unfit I was, yet I had thoroughly enjoyed it. I decided to continue running and soon stumbled across I Can Run on Facebook and met some of the lovely ladies at Great Run Local at Needham Lake. I completed the beginners course in September 2017 and found that jeffing was definitely the way forward and something I could achieve and felt amazing while doing it. My journey progressed quickly and the love of running grew with the most wonderful, supportive, friendly ladies within ICR around me ..read more

How long have you been running with ICR? I think it is coming up to 3 years. I know I started on a wet, windy, cold night in winter so I must have been feeling very motivated to get involved! How and why did you start running? About 13 years ago I became quite ill and had to have more ops than I care to remember over the next 6 years. After each operation I had to build my strength back up to make myself strong enough for the inevitable next one. After my final op and recovery I joined a gym and got back into walking, which has always been a passion of mine. I also started going to a bootcamp ..read more

I joined an I Can Run beginners course in Stowmarket in the summer of 2018 and it remains one of the best decisions I’ve made. I had no idea what Jeffing was, and I really didn’t know if I actually COULD run. But low and behold, I could! And I did! And I still do! I’m a Jeffer, and proud to be one. I frequently post about my runs on the Facebook page because it’s not like I can post it on my own Facebook page as my non running friends just don’t get it, haha! ICR is a lovely inclusive club and a supportive community. Another big surprise came when I realised I really enjoyed the thrill of a ..read more