LARA LEWINGTON
UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO, I was a fair-weather runner, then I discovered how wonderful it is to run in the cold and wet. Running in the rain is invigorating – as long as I’m not filming later as it messes up my hair.
I ONLY BECAME A RUNNER aged 24 when I was asked to do a charity 5K race. Because I was then not a runner, that distance sounded so intimidating. I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to do it. So I gradually built up to it, and once I could run 5K, I decided I never wanted to lose the ability to run that far. I’ve kept it up ever since.
I DON’T REALLY PUSH MYSELF enough in my running, but I’m happy with that. Four or five times a week I run 5km to 6km at a steady pace.
I’ve suffered various injuries over the years, so now I feel grateful I can run so regularly even if I’m not that fast.
A FEW YEARS BACK, I signed up for my first and only half marathon. I peaked far too soon by running 15km every other day with three months to go. But then I tripped on a kerb, twisted my foot, and could barely get round the hilly course on race day.
OVER THE YEARS on Click, I’ve tested hundreds of sports and running gadgets. Many are brilliant for people who want to track, for instance, their speed, gait and cadence, and are trying to beat their previous bests, which I totally get. But I don’t like to treat running as a competition – not even against myself – so I just use my smartwatch to know I’ve done my 6km and how my heart has fluctuated during my run. That’s enough data for me.
I NEED MUSIC when I run so I don’t hear my own puffing and panting. It also keeps me motivated. I love running to the soundtrack of the musical Hamilton – it has a great beat.
ALONG WITH RUNNING, I do a couple of weights sessions each week, so people think I’m always exercising. But I’m not as fit as people assume. On a work trip to Dubai, I was running with my boss who set off really fast. I said his pace was too quick for me and he replied it was too speedy for him, too, but he thought he should as I was regarded as super fit. I quickly pointed out that it was not the case.
MY HUSBAND SAID I RUN LIKE AN ELEPHANT as I’m a bit stompy. For an anniversary present one year, he bought me a session at a running class. The running experts there actually said I had a good running style; Martin thought they were just being polite.
I REALLY WAS THAT PERSON no one wanted in their team when we did sports at school. It was only much later that I discovered exercise is not all about winning and being competitive. Now, running allows me to stay fit on my terms and is something I always want to be able to do.
THE TV PRESENTER, 42, ON RUNNING LIKE AN ELEPHANT IN THE RAIN
‘I don’t push myself enough in my
running, but I’m happy
with that’
Lara is the co-presenter of Click, the long-running technology show, which can be seen at weekends on BBC One, BBC World News, BBC News Channel and iPlayer.