Running a mile in her shoes

Faye Morgan’s fitness journey was halted by the devastating loss of her best friend, but the friendship helped her find the strength to keep running.

“My best friend, Renee, helped me to find my love of exercise,” says Faye, who is jubilant after just completing her first 5k run – an amazing achievement for someone who could barely manage 30-second interval jogs only nine months ago.

“I call her ‘my mucker’, she was a firm believer that keeping fit had a positive impact on emotional well-being and mental health, so I started keeping fit with her.”

It was a desire to lose weight that first prompted the 37-year-old from Whitchurch to take up exercise and, with Renee by her side, she was slowly introduced to running, fighting through the initial exhaustion to feel the positive effects.

But then things came to a devastating halt with Renee’s sudden death.

“My childhood best friend, my coach, was gone,” says Faye. “Renee was in training for the Bristol Half Marathon, she was training hard and only two weeks away from her big run – but sadly she never got to run the half marathon.

“I was heartbroken. I thought this would be the end of my exercising and running, but It was then –in the midst of my grief that I knew I couldn’t stop, I wanted to keep going and continue on my running fitness journey in her memory.

“Renee’s dad gave me her new running trainers that she had bought for the marathon and my friend Andrea signed us up to the Run 4 Life ‘Couch to 5k’ running group.”

Faye was inspired to keep going by her best friend, Renee

Faye wore her best friend’s trainers from day one at the running club, a time when she remembers feeling anxious, nervous and unconfident in her ability to complete the course.

“I continued to give it my best shot,” says Faye. “I put 110 per cent into the sessions and followed the schedule from the running club, I have attended every session and have never missed a homework run and now I have completed my first ever 5k.

“I cannot believe I have come so far, and, to my surprise, I have absolutely loved every minute of this new experience. Running is such a great way to release negative energy: it has such a feel good factor when you have completed a run and there’s nothing I like more now than going out in the fresh air with my friend for a run together. We inspire each other and keep each other motivated.

“I feel so much happier in myself now, I feel so much more confident, less anxious and my self-esteem is growing. I made it my goal to get fit for Christmas and with the support and guidance of the Run 4 Life running group and my coach, Will, I am smashing my goal and I feel absolutely amazing.”

Faye has now completed her first 5k

Faye is aiming to run another 5k and then 10k run next year, and hopes to work up to the Bristol Half Marathon in honour of Renee.

She says: “My advice to others would be to give it a go, you’ll be surprised at how good running can make you feel. Joining a club like Run 4 Life enables you to follow a manageable programme that has clear goals and with some hard work and determination, you will learn how to run effectively.

“The coaches are at hand to support you and answer all of your questions and everyone is so encouraging and supportive they have really helped me.”

Bristol has been awarded the prestigious title of European City of Sport 2017. Join in the celebrations at www.bristolcityofsport17.co.uk

Read more: Bristol’s Doorstep Sport returns to the small screen