Mum turns to running
Six stones lighter and fitter
A determined mum who was obese is celebrating completing her first half marathon.
Aleksandra Lennon, who once struggled to run around after her baby girl, was ecstatic after crossing the finish line in the 13-mile Great Scottish Run.
The 38-year-old has many achievements to date, having shed six stones and then becoming a Slimming World consultant in Cambuslang to help others achieve their weight loss goals.
But Aleksandra insists that completing the half marathon in Glasgow on September 30 is her biggest achievement so far.
She told the Reformer: “It was just an amazing experience.
“Since losing weight, I’ve always wanted to give running a go but never had the confidence to do it.
“I kept putting it off, thinking ‘I can’t even run the length of myself ’.
“I was so wrong! I started running back in April and then decided to set myself a challenge and sign up for half marathon.”
Aleksandra, who moved to Scotland from Poland 14 years ago, juggled her training between her mum duties to five-year-old Maya.
Her first ever race was the Great Women’s Run in June, and Aleksandra thereafter stepped up her training in preparation for the half marathon.
“For training I just used one of running apps on my phone and I enjoyed it,” she said. “With every run I just got more and more into it!
“Completing the half marathon is definitely the biggest achievement for me so far.
“Losing weight has given me this new life, the new fit me that can run and be happy.
“It has made me realised that nothing is stopping me. If you can believe it you can achieve it.”
Waiting on Aleksandra at the end of the race was her biggest fan.
She said: “When I crossed the line my little girl said ‘mission accomplished’. I made her proud - and that means the world to me.
“I am no longer the girl watching the photos from the running events. I am the girl in them.
“Everything is possible. You just need to believe in yourself. Now it’s time to decide - what is my next challenge?”
Having become a Slimming World consultant in November 2016, Aleksandra now runs three classes at the King’s Park Hotel in Rutherglen every Monday at 9.30am and 11.30am, and Cambuslang Baptist Church on Thursdays at 9.30am, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.