I’m A Runner
Jo Swinson, deputy leader of the Lib Dems
I REDISCOVERED RUNNING in my 20s, when I did a 5K Race for Life with my mum. Before that, school cross countries in the west of Scotland in January didn’t sell running to me at all, if I’m honest.
IN MY EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE constituency there are loads of lovely places to run. I have a threemile circuit of a local reservoir and a flat one alongside the Forth and Clyde Canal. I’VE RUN THREE MARATHONS, the first being Loch Ness in 2007. I was aiming for under four hours, but finished in 4:07, mainly because I got my loo breaks mixed up and ran for 10 miles desperately needing a wee.
MY FASTEST MARATHON was London in 2011. But my slowest was the first Stirling Marathon, in 2017. I blamed it on campaigning for the general election during my training. I also invented the ‘PB PB’ concept, which stands for ‘post-baby personal best’, to make me feel better about my slower times after becoming a mum.
I GO THROUGH PHASES OF listening to music while running. It can vary from the likes of Madonna, The Black Eyed Peas and Nicki Minaj to classical. I also like podcasts with short, 10-minute-or-so segments, such as Radio 4’s Women’s Hour or More or Less.
WHEN I WAS PREGNANT with my first son, I stopped running at five months. But with my second child, Gabriel, who was born in June 2018, I ran until I was 37 weeks pregnant, wearing a special pair of maternity tights to support my bump. It was more of a jog/walk in the last few weeks, but it felt good to be exercising.
I WENT ON MY FIRST RUN SIX WEEKS AFTER having Gabriel. I didn’t put any stress on myself and didn’t have any targets in mind or times or distances, but just went for a run. It was great to enjoy a bit of time on my own and be back running again.
WHEN I MAKE TIME AND SPACE TO RUN, I’m better at my job, as it boosts my energy levels. I try to run outside or on the treadmill at least three times a week, but it’s hard to find time. We try to fit runs into my weekly diary.
A FEW TIMES I’VE HAD TO VOTE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WEARING MY RUNNING GEAR. It happens when I’m using the running machine in the basement of Westminster, and an evening vote occurs earlier than expected. I’ve tried to go through the voting lobby but not be caught by the TV cameras, so everyone doesn’t see me in my sports kit.
USUALLY I RUN ON MY OWN because I run at quite inconvenient times. But I do enjoy running with my mum. It’s a lovely way to spend time with her doing what we both enjoy.
I HAVEN’T RULED OUT ANOTHER MARATHON. I do like the idea of the Marathon du Medoc in France, where you drink wine as you run – it sounds like a very civilised way to do it.
‘I‘ve had to vote in the House of Commons in my running gear’