Meet Kelly Breen, a self-described non-runner who took her first steps during lockdown and never looked back. From 2-minute jogs to marathons in Malaga and Amsterdam, Kelly’s story is full of honesty, friendship, and a fresh perspective on what it means to be part of a running club.
How long have you been running?
2 years
What made you start running?
I started running during lockdown. Lockdown was a difficult time for me as I run my own business and, being a control freak!, I found the demands of managing staff furlough while still having a busy practice very challenging, to say the least. I needed to change something but wasn’t sure what and as a family we started doing the Joe Wicks morning routines. I had never been interested or motivated to exercise properly and after a few weeks I enjoyed how it made me feel. With a bit of motivation from my morning workouts, once restrictions lifted, a few of my neighbours, who were in the same boat, started couch to 5k using the NHS App.
What motivated you to take that first step into running? What was the biggest challenge you faced, did you have any low points, and how did you overcome any challenges you faced?
I really struggled with the couch to 5k as I had never ran before and I had lacked even general fitness. At the start I found it hard to maintain a run for 2 minutes. I stuck at it and I would say reaching 5k was the hardest to achieve and most rewarding goal yet.
Once I reached 5K I tried on my own to maintain it but struggled with consistency. I entered a few races but I felt self conscious going on my own when others all seemed to be in groups.
I then met one of the CRC coaches at a 40th birthday party. She was such a nice person and so encouraging that I considered joining the club but I didn’t know anyone else in the club and didn’t see myself as a runner. I left it a few months and it was only when I met the coach again and she encouraged me to come to the run that Monday that I felt I had no way out!
Have you noticed any improvements in your fitness, mental health, or overall well-being?
There have been massive changes to my life since joining the club. I have been running consistently now for 2 years and worked through the club plans from 5-10k, 10k to 1/2 marathon and the marathon plan. I have enjoyed seeing the changes in my body and the fitness that I have achieved however the greatest impact has been on my quality of life. I have met some amazing and interesting people who have went out of their way to help me in a whole host of ways. The coaches are just great all round people. Everyone is treated the same whether you can just about manage a 5k or are smashing marathons. Their commitment to us, and pride in what we all achieve, is just so lovely.
What has been the most rewarding moment of your running journey so far? Have you made new friendships or connections through running?
I now have a new, class group of friends who are literally up for anything. We have been on running weekends to London, Amsterdam and Malaga and are currently training for the Belfast marathon. Running friendships were new to me but I now know they form quickly and deeply from sharing the pain of long runs, blisters and lost toenails. It is the social side of running that has amazed me. Hardly a week goes by that there isn’t a plan for a meet-up or a night out. The runners and coaches at CRC are a special bunch of people.
What is your proudest running achievement so far?
My proudest moment was reaching 5k as it was so hard fought, however second to that would be completing my first marathon. I am now training for my third and can’t quite believe it. I really enjoy the training and the weekly challenge of fitting in the runs and getting through the long weekend miles.
I’ve found that I prefer the longer distances and hope to stay injury free and keep enjoying running in exciting places with my running buddies.