Noni is a 30-something actress who lives in South Dublin.
When did you start running? I started the 1st beginners’ course around September 2009
How was your fitness when you started? My fitness was not great. I would have walked a little and done some sporadic swimming.
Why did you decide to join the course? I joined the course because I saw it pop up on a Facebook page. Spur of the moment. I really wanted top challenge myself.
How did you feel at the first session? First session I was nervous I would be at the back of the pack and I would get disheartened. That didn’t happen because starting out in short bursts and building up to longer runs meant that everybody was at the same pace. After the first session I felt I would be able for the course.
What did you enjoy the most about the course? We ran by time not by focusing of distance and that meant there was no pressure to go faster than was right for me. We built up to longer runs over a few weeks. It was gentle but there were times when it was very very exciting to see that we had made a big leap in the time run….I remember thinking we must have done 10 mins by now and in fact we had done 20!!! Brilliant feeling. The runs were paced well. I never felt I had to keep up with faster runners.
How did you feel after the course? Great. I felt like I had been shown the tools to run safely. I was most impressed at how the yoga and floor work we did on the Thursday nights had such a huge impact on my strength and fitness.
Did you continue running after the course? I continued to run, yes. I did the intermediate course and 2 sets of sprinting classes! Sprinting!!! ME?!!! I also ran myself the times I did not take a class. I only ran with others at the classes. For the first year after the course I would say I ran about 3 times a week.
Have you taken part in any fun runs? I did the Limerick 10k in 2010 and I’m currently training for the Mini Marathon in June.
Has running changed your life in anyway? I toned up lost weight and gained the confidence to call myself a runner and take to the streets on my own without feeling self conscious. I had learned how to pace myself.
What would you say to anyone who’d like to start running but is hesitating, or thinks they can’t? DO IT!!!!! You literally start out very slowly in the class and little by little you find yourself able to run for longer and longer. It’s great value and you will get lots of tips and advice from Tina all through the course and after via email. Also and I find this amazing….my fitness level has stayed up even at those times when I stopped running. I found that once I started again I could still run for 30 mins without needing the medics!!!
